| Which
is Best, Microsoft Virtual Earth or Google Maps?
When we decided to
provide GIS Mapping for the world's countries, we faced a rather daunting
question: should we use Microsoft Virtual Earth Maps (MSVE) or Google
Maps? Which had more to offer our readers? Either project would require
countless programming hours to synchronize the maps with our countries
database. Our definitive conclusion: Coke or Pepsi? After working with
both products extensively we decided there was only one possible course
of action. We had to offer you both Virtual Earth and Google Maps. Both
products are absolutely fantastic.
 |
MS
Virtual Earth Map |
 |
Google
Map |
What are some of the
many differences? Consider the maps on the right. Note that the Virtual
Earth map on top shows no terrain details of the ocean floor. Google Maps
display the terrain of all of the world's ocean floors. Note that the
Google Map shows mottled splashes of gray and brown on the land map of
the Korean Peninsula. These tiny splashes of color actually represent
the different color shadings of the many satellite photographs Google
has pieced together to give you the highest level of detail at the higher
zoom levels. The Virtual Earth maps do not display these additional layers
at lower zoom levels, giving you a much truer picture of the actual terrain
of the Korean Peninsula. The Google maps also have much better rooftop
image quality of the world's major cities. The Virtual Earth maps only
contain that level of crispness for a few cities. But the labeling of
major cities is much better on Virtual Earth maps. Google labels often
do not appear until one zooms way in on a small area of a country.
After implementing
both mapping systems, we wanted you to be able to easily flip back and
forth between the two services. So on each Google Map page there is a
"Same Location/Zoom MS Virtual Earth" link, and on each MS Virtual
Earth map page you will find the opposite. When you click the link, the
page will refresh and show you the other system's map for the exact same
latitude, longitude, and zoom level. In this manner, you have the best
of both worlds.
Coke or Pepsi? No
need to decide. On WorldCountries.info you may enjoy both together.
Ron
Mears
Publisher
WorldCountries.info
|
