Keep Calm and Barry On: Google

Monday, February 2, 2015

Google Earth Pro Is Now Free

I read recently that Google Earth Pro is now free. Here are some of the most obvious differences that I can see between the free and pro versions (taken from this link):

Print images at 4800×3200; non-Pro is capped at 1000×1000.
Automatically import a few thousand addresses at once to be pinned on a map
Capture HD videos of what’s on screen.
Measure distances/areas using lines, paths, polygons, circles, and more. Non-pro can only handle lines/paths.

Your average user probably doesn't use most of these advanced features or many of the free ones for that matter. I could, however, see an immediate use for printing the hi-res images and capturing the HD videos of your screen to create interesting fly-over or street level tour videos that can be used in instruction or in the creation of other instructional media or presentations. Below are some links with more information:

Google Lat/Long blog, with information on accessing the free download:

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2015/01/google-earth-pro-is-now-free.html

Keep Calm and Barry On! BL

Friday, January 23, 2015

Screencastify (Chrome Browser Extension)

Screencastify is an interesting Chrome browser extension that allows for Screencasting that will save your screencasts directly to your Google Account for sharing. Other noteworthy features:

10 minute time limit with the free version
can capture system audio
can publish to YouTube
can save screencasts to your computer
can capture a web browser tab, desktop, or web-cam only.

There are not as many features as some similar paid programs, but it is pretty good for free if wanting to do a quick screen capture to share. Below is a link to the extension and a short demo of it.

Screencastify extension link in the Chrome Web Store https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/screencastify-screen-vide/mmeijimgabbpbgpdklnllpncmdofkcpn?utm_source=gmail

Screencastify Test Run - The screencast below was made with the Screencastify Chrome browser extension on a PC with a webcam.

Keep Calm and Barry On!
BL