Virtual Earth/Local Maps "Hacks"
I am a GIS consultant, and have recently begun to use Google Earth/Maps for delivering data to our clients. I would like to cross-over to Microsoft, but know very little about the advantages over google - there is a lot of conflicting opinions out their in various spatial blogs.My experience is using pre-made tools to get ESRI shapefiles over to KML or using CASA's google map creator to create google map hacks. I also know how to tweak the API to do a few things (within Google). Other than that, I am far from being a web developer (although this is where I would now like to focus my career)
- First off. Google Earth/Maps is free to "hack". Are there any license related costs for using Microsoft Local/Virtual Earth? As mentioned, this is for an Environmental Consultancy and not for fun. Any links to license agreements?
- Where would be a good place to start? Ive had a look at the Interactive SDK, but ideally id like to find out the best way to get ESRI data into VE/Local. Perhaps displaying Flood Extents or a Flood Depth grid for example?
- What are the adv/disadv over Google?
Thanks in advance for any pointers. Perhaps there is already a FAQ page somewhere which may answer a lot of these questions?
Simon,
In answer to your questions:
- A thread on VE pricing details has already been discussed here:
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1711265&SiteID=1
- VE Doesn't support ERSI format but rather GeoRSS with limited functionality
Advantages with VE I would say are:
+ Supports birds eye imagery (Google doesn't have this)
+ 3D mode has much better quality/quantity buildings
+ Easier to learn and develop than Google
+
Disadvantages
- Google maps has better map data quality
- VE Currently only supports FireFox 1.5+ and IE 6.0+
Hope that helps,
