1-+Getting+Started

== =Open Google Earth:= = = Locate the Google Earth icon (see above) on your desktop and click to open. It will usually open to the "Tip of the Day". = =

=Download Google Earth:=

If the Google Earth icon (see above) does not exist on your computer, you can download the program from the [|Google Earth website](earth.google.com). You can click on the link to download Google Earth version 4.3. However, this version is in beta testing, and many users have reported problems with it. For now, therefore, tech support has recommended that we use the previous version, 4.2, which can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the [|Google Earth download] page (http://earth.google.com/intl/en/download-earth.html#no_redirect).

=Navigating in Google Earth:= Here is a handout for using the navigation tools in version 4.2. The navigation tools are usually in the top right corner. You might need to bring the mouse to the corner to make the tools visible. The tools have been changed somewhat in version 4.3- the most notable change is that there are separate joysticks to move and to view, and the tilt function has been incorporated in to the other controls.

=Exploring Google Earth:= Try the different panels on the left side of the page- search, places, and layers. This handout has some ideas to guide your exploration of Google Earth.

=Using Google Earth Files:=

Google Earth files are a unique file format- the file extension is kmz. If you locate a file you want to use (see Google Earth Resources), or create a file to use later (see Advanced Techniques), you cannot open it directly. You must first save it on your computer. With Google Earth open on your screen, use the menu bar at the top and go to File-Open then navigate to the location where you saved the file.