OT-Distance-Geography

[teddymills]

I needed to measure an exact mile from my house to any point.

I though about using a scaled ratio map, but unless the map is very 
large, it is difficult to get a good reading.
I thought about city blocks, but that is not very precise either.
I thought about surveyors optics, but I did not have the hardware.
I thought about using a car or bike odometer, but not sure how precise 
that would be.
I even though about using a a few 120 minute cassette tapes.

Then I remembered Google Earth.
It has a longitude/latitude but these are not even needed.
There is a distance feature that can be used with the mouse navigation 
disabled.
I can only assume the distance is accurate over longer distances (as the 
crow flies)

Indeed Google is your friend.

Then I found the NASA World Winds Project.
I installed it but have not seen it in action.
Apparently the NASA World Winds is quite amazing.




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