New release of Google Earth is available

Thanks for the info!!

You know, Google Earth checks for updates on startup. It doesn't require a post to announce it because anyone who uses it will find out about it the next time they open the program.

Now, had you posted a changelog . . . . that might have been useful.

Thanks for the heads up.

Google Earth doesn't check for updates at each startup...unless you choose that option.

Some people like to be "party poopers".

I noticed he didn't post anything useful himself.

I do not let Google Earth (or most other programs for that matter) check for updates - just don't need those stollen cycles.

So, I would not have known about the new version without your info.

I believe the default installation does check for updates on startup. You'll have to manually disable auto update or block it from accessing the internet. I did the latter using zonealarm.

I think chewbacca is right on the need to do it manually.

New Features in Google Earth 5.2
Improved embedded browser functionality: Better integration of embedded browser with Google Earth Application.
Track and Multitrack in Google Earth: A track allows you to create one visible object in Google Earth (either a Point icon or a Model) that moves over time between multiple positions. Using the time slider, you can animate position and orientation of an object and show a line tracing the path. A multitrack is a collection of tracks. You can create Track and Multitrack by authoring KML documents or by importing your GPS data (from a number of GPS receivers or file formats such as GPX) into Google Earth.
Elevation Profile in Google Earth: You can see elevation profile of a line-string or track in Google Earth. It plots the elevation profile, speed, and associated extended data (for example, heart rate) in a KML file.
Added file import types: NMEA (.log and .nmea), Garmin GDB, Garmin Training Center, and Ozi Explorer files can now all be read. Garmin fitness extensions are now read from GPX. Extended data for Elevation Profile and Track is handled when available.

what exactly does "Google Earth" do?

Thanks for the heads-up Plunder........just downloaded it, and it runs fine. Later on will do the same to the laptop. Thank you again.

Beware the installer will also download and install Google chrome browser and will make it your default browser unless you uncheck those options before downloading the update!

Much better interface than using google maps. It also has some cool astronomy stuff for figuring out the surface of the Moon and Mars

You can geocode POIs with a satellite view. It is possible to do this accurately because you can see the buildings or other visible features that can't be seen on a map. I use it for red light camera POIs.

dobs108

Thanks for the heads-up, plunder!

dobs108

I've been running this version for weeks now.

Great for making custom pois.See (link no longer available)

Thanks for the Info.

works on Garmin?

You are right! One wrong click and all this unwanted software is installed. Google Earth is valuable enough to take these risks.

dobs108

Sure!

dobs108

party pooper [ˈpuːpə]
noun
A person whose behaviour or personality spoils other people's enjoyment.

Anyway, thanks plunder. I had forgotten about Google Earth. Downloaded the new version and use it for Astronomy.

So where is the party at?

Thanks for the info....

Thanks a lot plunder, I just updated WoW which took all night and now I just have to update Google Earth and of course I'll just have to see how it works - another night shot!

Seriously, much appreciate the heads up. Without your note I would not have been up to date but I might've been better rested?

I went to do the update and it says it's also installing Chrome? No thanks.

You get the option to un-check Chrome before the download starts.

What's the point of using Google Earth if you block it from accessing the Internet?

You're not blocking GE, only auto-update. Two different things.

I'm a Firefox fan and have been since 0.7, but why all the Chrome hate? Is it really that bad or is it just the fact that Google pushes it with every product you can download from them, and then some?

Thanks for the information!

I'm perfectly happy with version 4 and Google Earth didn't tell me what was new with this release in the notification box so I simply declined the offer to update my machine.

But I'd like to know where to find the option to disable checking for updates in version 4.

I generally do not allow programs to check for updates by themselves - especially google.

Seems like a good set of improvements - I'll download this version. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks for the update.

Kewl. I'll find this useful. Thanks plunder & jgermann, for the heads-up & detail.

I don't allow auto updates either, and would not have known...

Sorry my mistake. I was just guessing that, just like other software, there will be preference settings that we can tweak to disable Google auto update. As I mentioned earlier, I use my firewall to disallow auto update from accessing the internet.

I notice the latest version (5.2) download site lets us choose whether or not we want to allow Google Earth to automatically install recommended updates. That's also where we choose to either include or exclude Chrome browser. Look under "Customize your installation of Google Earth with advanced setup". I'm not sure if that same interface existed before they released version 5.2.

Yup, you got it. Thanks for answering

As a matter of fact I don't allow any auto update from accessing the internet. That includes Windows auto update, Acrobat Flash Player, Adobe Reader, Java, iTunes, QuickTime, Firefox etc. If there's an option to disable auto update, I'd use it. When there isn't an option to disable auto update, I use my firewall to block outgoing access.

It didn't just come out yesterday. I have been running for weeks as well but thanks for the update. I have had no problems with the new release.

Thanks for letting us know.

I like the idea of showing the elevation. Amazing how much data is out on the web now. I know it's not new, just the sheer amount of data that it must take to have elevation for every road.

instead of other programs/web sites out there. Just in case you want printed directions as back-up to the gps.

One great feature is to map a route, A-to-B destinations, then do a "fly-by" over the route. Google Earth shows you exactly what the terrain and roads look like turn-by-turn so you can see what you're going to be driving, what the intersections look like, etc.

It's also great to interface with my Mapsource saved tracks. Mapsource will send your waypoints and tracks to GE and you can view them there. Makes quite a big file, though!

For you update

As has been mentioned ZoneAlarm can do so.

Myself, I use AutoRuns to disable "startup" updates and "services" upsates.

Thanks for the info.

Thanks

Installed it on my Win7 Pro x64 laptop and it seems to be running just fine.

I'll have to get it installed next on my WinXP Pro desktop.

Thanks!

I appreciate the discussion of Google Earth. Just downloaded it WITHOUT goofing up my browser (thanks to the tip).

Just bought a Nuvi 1300 tonight. Wondering if there is a place to find POI's for HISTORIC SITES??? Love historic stuff!

Just search on this website (see "search" above on this page) for "historic sites," and next page specify POIs. You will see dozens if not hundreds of different Historic Places files from volunteer contributors available for free download from this site.

dobs108