It is that time of year again, so I will be on holiday again in the English Lake District.  While Live Writer, my blogging tool, has the ability to show maps (click the map for more information) http://maps.live.com has also improved amazingly.

To show you what I mean, click the link below:

http://maps.live.com/?v=2&sp=Point.t1yfjsgqqygt_Holiday___&encType=1 and you will see a screen like this:

Switch to Hybrid view to see the satellite and road maps:

Zoom to this location by clicking on the pushpin:

Switch to 3D mode by pressing the 3D button (it might have to load a control to your browser) and then hold the Ctrl button and drag the mouse down to see a 3D profile:

Search for pubs in the area and see them on the 3D map:

Now go to London (search for London in the location) and zoom down to start to see the 3D views:

As you zoom in more you can turn on the birds eye photography of London - note on the above picture the glowing square - this is one of the birdseye photos - zoom in more to see the actual photos.  You can also see some of the 3D models showing themselves and then how things flip between all the views.  The easiest way to see all of this is a little video - have a look at this video. Some of the "jerkiness" on the video is due to the capture - it was very smooth on my PC :-)

ttfn

David