Google Earth for Linux?

Tero Afelt
on July 11th, 2005

Its really pitty that Google has not released linux version of google-earth. Google has always been loved by Linux users and it makes it almost unbeliavable

Francisco
on July 12th, 2005

Shame on GOOGLE!!!

Andre Caldas
on July 13th, 2005

They don’t even mention GNU/Linux anywhere. They just assume that if you are not a windows user, you will have to wait for the Macintosh version!!

Mike
on July 13th, 2005

I’m wondering when linux users coukld use google eart.

For some years I don’t have any partition with windows on my HD, so please don’t leave us linux users without such a good tool…

jmit
on July 13th, 2005

Look at Google Earth Fusion, it’s an implementation of Google Earth running on Linux:

http://earth.google.com/earth_fusion.html

See, the screenshot it’s Linux

Charlie Souris
on July 19th, 2005

I am really disapointed with google. Why should a company with web (html etc) services make it impossible for someone without windows. shame:(

Affan
on July 20th, 2005

I do not blame Google entirely. Linux desktop is a mess to develop for and support. Suppose they wanted to build a Linux version, what should they use? QT? Gnome? Command-line? NCurses? Which flavors of what packages should they use? Its a jungle out there. So I guess they are in a dilema themselves.

Plus there isnt a huge market for linux users anyways.

PS
I love Linux and am equally disappointed at not being able to enjoy Google Earth

Mike C.
on July 21st, 2005

I’ll agree that Google is used as probably the #1 search in linux. It sure would be nice to have a linux verion of Google Earth. I was finally using Linux 100% and Windows was kept for just looking at things that were new that were coming out in Windows. With Google Earth I find myself going back into Windows only to use GE and nothing else. I’ve been using Linux so much that Windows actually felt foreign to me. I like that!! Come on Google, do it. Linux users love you. Show us you love us!!!

tuxman
on July 21st, 2005

Of course there is a huge market for linux users. Stop thinking in terms of money, that’s all. Peace man.

To come back to the original poster’s question, why is it that google hasn’t released a linux version yet? Why not release a free version with a few sensible limitations (less detail, maybe not the most up to date info and perhaps a slower connection to google’s databases). Still very useable but also enough room for improvements that customers can buy. Everybody happy.

It is indeed truly unbelievable that such simple information as pictures of our own earth should be at a cost. This is education we all need. Google makes money you and I couldn’t spend in a lifetime. And even if they’d break even there’s still a product that some companies can buy to bring in the money.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they had the system running on linux before windows. Remember that google uses thousands of linux redhat boxes to host their databases.

C’mon Goooooogle,
Free Education and Information for all!

Vince
on July 22nd, 2005

Just a small detail about developpement: GoogleEarth actually *uses* Qt, which means that if it is developped carefully (Google programmers have definitely prooved that they can), it can compile on Linux/Mac/Win without changes… Then, why don’t we actually get Linux versions ?

Ian
on July 24th, 2005

That the ‘fusion’ version of Google Earth already runs on Linux shows that the lack of a free Linux client is not for technical reasons.

So it must be a political thing. No company that is accountable to shareholders can afford to be purely altruistic. The reason for releasing a free Windows client is to make money. People using Google Earth cost Google money in bandwidth charges. So they probably reason that enough people will upgrade to one of the paid versions to make it financially worthwhile. Perhaps this throws some light on to why they haven’t released a Linux version.

Mike
on July 27th, 2005

Yes, but google could release a paid linux version of Google Earth Plus, cheaper than the Fusion, I would buy it, and I think lots of other linux users would.

It’s a pitty the GPS function can’t be used in the car (requires server login, even if you have the needed area in cache).

Anyway, I’m looking for a house to live, and I’m really desperate waiting for a Linux Google Earth OpenGL version…

My girl friend is almost leaving me for not finding the house, but I won’t install Windows in my PC.

Hurryup Google, my time is running out, and my love cant wait much longer:(

Geekster
on July 28th, 2005

Why don’t they jusy build it in java? That way it works everywhere. In the meantime, there’s always http://www.terrafly.com

NorKy
on July 30th, 2005

i hope really that they release a Linux version i don`t install Windows for that.

Mike C.
on July 30th, 2005

Google Earth was enjoyable to use and to look at a few things here and there…but after a while the novelty of it wore off mostly due to having to start Windows to operate it. I actually stopped using it just because I didn’t want to boot into Windows. It took me about 8 months to get programs I use for Linux that did the same for me in Windows to where I could run Linux at 100%.
I think I can live without Google Earth until a version becomes available for Linux. If not, I’m sure my life will go on as I have survived this long without Google Earth.
To this day, after 3 years of running Linux:
Crashes: 0
Virus infections: 0
Pop ups: 0 (just use Mozilla Firefox)
Adware: 0
It’s funny, I finally found a virus program for Linux and when I ran it…it found nothing in linux but when it scanned my windows hard drive…it found 24 items. Hilarious!!!

Chris
on July 31st, 2005

Perhaps the question isn’t about GE for linux but really about free google earth. The GE code is not available under a gnu licence, is it? If it were, there would already be a port to linux done by some fellow hacker.

Stop thinking Linux and start thinking GNU !

ultr
on August 3rd, 2005

I like Google and use it very often.
But I find it very disappointing not to see Linux version of Google Earth in the download section.
Really, shame on Google

Unlike Affan (reply 7) says, it’s not a problem to make a Linux version, because it already exists! Google Earth Fusion is for Linux and they can base on it while making free Linux version.

To end with, I entirely agree with Chris (post 16) – GNU is really good, and makes people think in other ways than money…

Dan
on August 7th, 2005

I can’t believe you guys had any doubt in Google’s support of Linux. Read the response it says we hope will have support for mac AND linux. http://earth.google.com/support/bin/search.py?query=linux&Action.Search=Search&type=f

Steve Greig
on August 8th, 2005

We all seem to love google but they are just another company. Google’s plan to digitize the world’s literature (apparently for only $150m) should be done by non-commercial orgazizations. It was realized quite late on that the human genome project had to be done by a public effort and so charities and governments did it. I have never seen Google Earth but I am not too enthusiastic to bother with it if they don’t make it available on Linux. That’s what I think anyway!

jack
on August 9th, 2005

is there any plans to have google earth avail for
linux, if so any time frame.

thanks

mallikharjun
on August 10th, 2005

thanks for this software avilability

mrhassell
on August 10th, 2005

Geekster, thanks for the tip on Terrafly. You wouldnt happen to be American by any chance would you? Terrafly is only for the US it seems and is somewhat less than… EARTH!

Serriously however the logic behind Google ‘not’ choosing linux as the starting point for this application, by releasing a Microsoft friendly application probablly has something to do with the healthy relationship Google has with Microsoft!

The application could easily be ported to Mono and was probably built with Dotnet… Java lags on the client side thanks to Java runtime plugins (which it has to be said suck). Perhaps a better idea would be to use a Macromedia GUI (all systems covered) albeit still its a plugin!

Microsoft ‘.exe’ files and can make use of the client O/S to do the work, which even with the enormous space they have over there on the Google campus, im sure they would have major drama the moment they tried to deal with a million++ clients conecting to this as a java server app..

Must be a tight call but id say the Google crew have Linux and OO development ‘owned’ enough to know how to milk the money cow now serriously.. Java! gimme a break…

Kevin
on August 11th, 2005

At this point I believe we have achieved a critical point with Linux, and particularly on the desktop. Dice engineering (an engineering employment company) just sent an e-mail to job seekers stating “job postings on Dice that request Linux skills are up 85% since this time last year.”
I have been using Linux exclusively for four years now. It is hard for me to understand the reasons why Micro$oft is still alive. (Yes, I know, but what chance would Micro$oft stand if the roles were reversed?) I would like Google earth, but could not stomach going back, and I’m not alone anymore. It is only a matter of time.

Kilian
on August 12th, 2005

About GE Fusion, quite ironic that
the free product (GE basic) only works on a non-free platform while the non-free product (GE Fusion) only works on a free platform…

I think it’s just a matter of time before they’ll start supporting linux. Before the end of the year I reckon it’ll happen. In the mean time, I’ll activate a new google news alert to let me know when it happens

Foobar
on August 13th, 2005

Real shame they havn’t put out a linux version.

yo
on August 14th, 2005

has anyone tried WINE with google earth?

Sergio
on August 16th, 2005

It’s a shame, I will try with WINE, but I feel It wont work…

Please… release a Linux version!!!

As others said, I wont install Windows to use GE.

Max
on August 17th, 2005

Set up a voting pole for a linux google earth NOW!!!

luyten
on August 17th, 2005

Maybe open a web page for this vote. Not sure where.

Moygensergen
on August 17th, 2005

Hey Sergio, any luck getting Google Earth to run withing WINE?

Trick
on August 18th, 2005

Just tried it myself. So far, as far as I’ve been able to get is an error message saying that my OS is not supported by Google Earth.

Maybe a few tweaks will get past that, if I get the time and motivation for it.

Gianfranco
on August 18th, 2005

I’ts a pity that Google ignores Linux and do not even announce a future, possible Google-Earth release.
Shame on Google

Alejandro Bonilla
on August 18th, 2005

You want Google Earth for Linux? Ask for it.

http://earth.google.com/support/bin/request.py?contact_type=suggestion&submit=Continue

ScottyR
on August 18th, 2005

I would love to see Linux versions of all of your software. If you have something that looks as good as what I saw on Windows (ME), I would pay for it. PLEASE, don’t leave us out.

Quinton Hoole
on August 19th, 2005

Check out:

http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/

It’s an open source equivalent of Google Earth (from what I can see). Right now it only runs on Windows/.NET, but presumably could be ported to Linux/MONO with some effort.
But what a great thing to have running on Linux!! I’d certainly be game to assist with the port. I have C, C++ GIS and OpenGL experience. Please cc: quinton@hoole.biz with replies, as I don’t read this blog often.

JamesF
on August 19th, 2005

This is a little funny…you guys are not reading. Go back to the Google Earth site and read to understand the following:

1. Google did not write Google Earth. They bought technology from Keyhole. They’ve made some updates but have not finished rewriting the app for other operating systems. They’ve made it clear in their support notes that they intend to do so.

2. Google Fusion is NOT the “pay” version of the Google Earth application. It is a product that allows corporations to set up a local Google Earth server and add their own mapping data to be overlaid on the product. It is not a client for the Google Earth service.

Try to relax folks. It helps. Really.

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michel
on December 16th, 2005

Considering the maps of France that have appeared some time ago, when there was the suburban crisis here, everybody had a laugh at seeing where the Americans (and Google Earth) situated our cities.
It was about as efficient as putting NY in Maine, SF in North Carolina and Washington in… Washington.

So we’re not too afraid that the US should invade us. They’d end up in Russia before finding us.

Mxl

smoe
on December 20th, 2005

Affan?? I hope you are not a developer.

Linux is a mess to develop for? Why? Choices are bad? That is crap! All those tools you listed are available on almost every linux distribution out there. So you can use anyone of them.

smoe
on December 20th, 2005

Michel:

All Bush would have to do to invade France is send a registered letter disclosing our intent to invade. lol. Your ambassador would be beating the whitehouse door down trying to surrender. It only took the Germans a week last time. Ha…

Kalthor
on December 27th, 2005

Google for Linux is a must!!!

Euphorium
on December 28th, 2005

I agree with Andre and Chris. A GNU supported version would be nice. to answer Affan’s issue: I think the linux community would take care of porting it to different flavors.

heeey
on December 30th, 2005

> Linux desktop is a mess to develop
> for and support.

you don’t know shit so stfu.
it’s *EASY* to develop to linux, it’s very very very EASY to develop opengl program to linux compared to windows.

Raha
on January 2nd, 2006

Here guys look at here, I found it something for Linux almost like Google earth (well, I think it will be).
http://www.earth3d.org/
enjoy it.

Rick
on January 4th, 2006

If they only released a source package, individual developers could then build them into specific distro rpm and deb and upload the rpm/deb to a repository, right? So then how would the build be a factor?

Michael Shigorin
on January 8th, 2006

Thanks Raha, I’ve already packaged earth3d for ALT Linux and mirrored the datafiles here in Ukraine (ftp.linux.kiev.ua/pub/mirrors)!

Now enjoying thoroughly

Raha
on January 10th, 2006

Cool, nice to hear this. They released Google earth for OS X, google sent me an email and said they will release google earth for linux as well
good news

br0ken
on January 17th, 2006

Hey guys, you might want to check out World Wind. It’s written for Windows but its source. http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/

Harinder
on January 20th, 2006

I’m very much disappointed to hear that theres
no software of google earth available for linux user.I tried a lot on google website,but at last
when i find nothing worthfull,i was very much disappointed.Google have to take care of linux users. google should provide software of google earth for linux users.

Tom
on January 25th, 2006

I would quite like to see GE on Linux too. But make no mistake… Google are just like any other company, their goal is to make money and there is nothing wrong with that. Google are in a very fortunate situation, their public perception is god like. They are up their with The Red Cross and Oxfam.

I think we just need to be a little more patience and take Google of the ‘patron saint of the Internet’ pedestal which we have placed it on.

Michael
on January 31st, 2006

Check out this link. It gives seom good ideas for this issue. http://www.linux-tip.net/cms/content/view/215/6/

Wellington
on February 3rd, 2006

I think the google don’t mind with Linux users, but they can’t see the Linux users are growing up around the world. Maybe google and microsoft are walking together. For me, if Bill dies, it makes three days.

Mantas
on February 15th, 2006

Well, I thing there is a version of google earth with more or less features that you can run on any platform, it’s maps.google.com, you can see the same images as in google earth, only thing you couldnt do is 3D effects..

anon
on February 16th, 2006

There is a port of worldwind to java that is decent. it’s called ww2d. find it here: http://ww2d.csoft.net/ i’ve used it on both win and linux

René
on February 27th, 2006

Its screwed we are not able to get Google Earth for damn Linux.
Fuck it

Ed B.
on February 27th, 2006

1. There is definitely a linux version in the works, last I heard – although I may just be some random *saying that* from everyone else’s perspective.

3. I’d be surprised if Google used Java for multiplatform client development with an aim to reach a wide userbase when they have a commercial license to use Qt, and lots of python/C++ expertise on tap.

3. “Linux desktop is a mess to develop for and support. Suppose they wanted to build a Linux version, what should they use? QT? Gnome? Command-line? NCurses? Which flavors of what packages should they use? Its a jungle out there. So I guess they are in a dilema themselves.”

Just in case there are any non-linux developers out there who aren’t aware of this, this is what we call “propaganda”.

There’s no way anyone with experience could truthfully assert this. These tools are ALL available on close enough to ALL desktop/workstation linux distributions.

This comment would be closely analogous to someone saying “Windows Desktop is a mess to develop for and support. Suppose they wanted to build a windows version, what should they use? MFC? .Net? Visual Basic? Batch files? Which versions of what packages should they use? Its a jungle out there. So I guess they are in a dilema themselves.” – ie equally nonsensical when you look for sensible meaning.

Affan, you’re just another fudder. Sorry

gernome
on March 2nd, 2006

If Linux communities still embrace those arrogant attitutes, it will remain a loose sand for years to come until it die off like other OSs. Wait and see Microsoft VISTA and Apple Intel based Mac released, Linux will eventually end up in the Smithsonian Musuem.

I wouldn’t blame Google not invest into Linux uncertainty future.

zector
on March 11th, 2006

gernome I think that you are completly away from the OS development world…
May be next years Mac && Ms Vista will have more users than Gnu / Linux butthere was a question time to uniforme our OS.

Linux have a a thing that anyone system have… power and free dedication of experts and computer hackers…

be fine

moustic
on March 22nd, 2006

March 2006 …
Still no linux release of google-earth … even a beta ..
it s*cks !

Jewden
on March 28th, 2006

Google earth works with latest wine (at least for me), but you can barely use it since half the window freezes. I wonder what google are thinking with, since they use Ubuntu Linux for themselves.

luisito
on March 30th, 2006

About the tools to develop a native Google Earth for Linux, the excuse of what tools to use is really nonsense, if you have a GTK application you can run it in KDE with the GTK compatibility and if its designed with QT you can use it in Gnome ’cause the libraries are available, that isn’t an excuse at all. All that is nothing but b*llsh*t. I also read Michael Dell telling that they not support linux because there are a lot of distros out there, that’s true, but you know what Mr. Dell? You can develop a Dell Linux with full support. Why not?, you have the money to do that. And maybe it could be the most popular distro. Think about it.

On other side, to the guys of google I say that it is really dissapointing and a big shame that a big company who have grow like that, and have done a lot of money based on Linux, haven’t release a version, a native Linux version of that google earth software like a year after the first release. I’m sure that those millions of dollars in the pocket feels really good now, but before give that software to Bill Gates and Steve Jobs remember when you were using Linux to make those millions. If it comes like a wine version I will not that piece of cr*p, Linux doesn’t deserve that humilliation. I hope it comes in a native version like it is for the other “Popular platforms”. Remember this: more people use Linux than the ones that use Apple. That is a big, so big shame.

luisito
on March 31st, 2006

gernome, you are very away from Linux reality. If you know what things you can do with Linux and all the benefits of it you would think different. Also, linux is growing in an exponential way and for you to know, if you don’t, Linux is the console system, not the GUIs you see, like Gnome or KDE, and the bad look they had years before have changed a lot now and looks even better that windows in a lot of aspects. By the way, no other environment in the pc world can compare to KDE. KDE is the more complete environment of all times and its getting better and better, you can customize it almost in anyway you want it to be. And now, with the Xgl and other technologies that are developing I don’t thing MS Vista nor Apple as cool as that by now.

Man!, the only thing that could go to the Smithsonian is Windows as the worst most popular OS. I’m sure that is a world record.

Peter
on April 2nd, 2006

Since the download for Mac is still a beta, I assume Google first wants to finish its Mac version before starting with its Linux version. Maybe they don’t want the source code to be known, and therefore they want to do the porting themselves.

Rokcrwlr
on April 4th, 2006

Google earth is one of the best map’s I have used but I hate window’s so we need it for LINUX….

Frank Neugebauer
on April 5th, 2006

This Tutorial explains how to install and run Google Earth using VMware Player on Linux.

http://www.linux-tip.net/cms/content/view/227/6/

Milan
on April 6th, 2006

Ed B. Says: “Just in case there are any non-linux developers out there who aren’t aware of this, this is what we call “propaganda”.

There’s no way anyone with experience could truthfully assert this. These tools are ALL available on close enough to ALL desktop/workstation linux distributions.”"

Gee, what ignorant of reality and elitistic attitude, unfortunately, still quite often in Linux community.
One thing is for sure, if Linux community doesn’t changes something radically in their approach, Linux share in desktop market will never be more than 1-2%

For few years I’m programing on Linux and using it as my Desktop OS, and because of the reasons stated earlier, I almost exclusively make statically-linked programs, for GUI apps using most often FOX or FLTK toolkit. I simply don’t have time, possibilities nor will to make versions of my dynamically-linked program for about 1000 distros around (Ubuntu, Suse, Fedora, Gentoo, Mandrake, Slackware…)multiplied with at least last three versions of each distro in use, since there is not even the trace of backward compatibility.
Yes of course, there’s also restive “default” assumption that even every company needs to give away their source code (and put the picture of RMS on the wall in every office to which they will prey in off-time btw) simply to ease the maintenance (not including potentially religious stuff).

In my humble opinion, the least thing that Linux needs to even survive is _standard_, and in this I mean something more concrete and with _real_ (not only declarative) support of big companies, than for example LBS. Unfortunately it seems that cannot be done with such extremist and anarchistic (no, it’s not freedom anymore it’s anarchy) approach that GNU propagates, because there isn’t any kind of hierarchy and control, so backward-compatibility for example can become a reality (hey, I’ve played game 14 years old today on WinXP and I bet that even “telemate” could still work), no, there’s only recommendation. And someone from hardcore GNU community even asks why Google doesn’t make a Linux version of GE, well what kind of company that makes desktop software could feel secure? That is also the answer to those who ask why Macromedia isn’t much more involved in Linux (please spare me and don’t mention Nvu, Gimp, Kdevelop and other so called “proprietary competitors”).

Few months ago I wanted to install one app (I’ve forgot the name, think it was something about music file sharing) on my Slackware Linux, which required wxGTK-2.4.2, and had wxGTK-2.6.2 which is also required by some other app, so I’ve got source code source code of that program so I could compile it myself, but compilation required a few more libs-apps, among which one required wxGTK compiled with some unusual switches… after few more hours I’ve erased all traces of that app, and started “tetravex”, luckily it shiped with “freerock gnome” package.

luisito Says: “Also, linux is growing in an exponential way…”

I’ve been listening to this for past few years, and yet Linux still isn’t significantly more “visible” actor in world desktop population.
Firstly it was that delaying arrival of MS Vista (then Longhorn) can boost migration from Windows to Linux, but sadly it turned out that companies only wanted to “frighten” MS and get better agreement and additional conveniences by officially stating that they plan to migrate to Linux. Then, there was sincere belief that IBM will invest a lot of money in Linux desktop plausibility, again was Linux community disappointed since IBM is only interested in using and selling it with _their_ own _server_ products… lately there was a rumor that Google works on its version of Linux based on Ubuntu distro – Goobuntu, but again did Linux served as tool of frightening MS and to “persuade” it to slow down a little in their aggressive approach with web search engines… and Linux is still where it was few years ago, but with prettier Gnome and KDE, and saga continues. But hey, ther’s already a new version of GPL which will keep further “dirty” capitalists from “divine” GNU/Linux, so lets celebrate! Yeah!

Gary
on April 22nd, 2006

GE looks like a Java app on Windoooz anyway

richard
on May 5th, 2006

I’ll gladly add my vote to lobby for Google Earth ported for Linux.

Zhuo Zhang
on May 9th, 2006

Since Google Earth is developed by QT( Multi-platform supported), it should be linux-supported easily.
But it does not.
What a pity.
I don’t think it will be hard for them to support linux.
Maybe the next version they will make it a reality.

Zhuo Zhang
on May 9th, 2006

GE is developed in C++ and QT, from my understanding.
You can use WinID or Spy++ to look at the Class Name of controls in Google Earth UI. There names are QWidget, and many control’s have the caption like qt_viewport.
So I assume it’s forged by C++ and QT, which can support multi-platform whitout changing too much code.

In fact, Google talk do not support Linux, right?

Satej Ankolekar
on May 11th, 2006

I was also wondering why Google can’t port GE to Linux?
I am also a Linux user and was wanting to find the route from Penn Station NY to Madison ave. GE would have done a good job but not on Linux!! Is google gonna help?

justifier
on May 18th, 2006

for those of you that are interested, i done that ‘feature request’ thing on the google earth website only to get some, half hearted, not well written atall, auto respose. It can be read at http://www.justifier.pastebin.com/725491 Give google eath to the real users, the linux users !

NicoLarve
on May 19th, 2006

Hi !

GoogleEarth works really nicely with an older version of wine: 20041019.
I just had problems with the two left panels, but 3D controls and Earth display were really efficient (under Linux/Fedora4 with the nvidia official driver).

me
on June 13th, 2006

just to confirm google for linux is released

justifier
on June 13th, 2006

google earth s now avalble on linux!!!!

read the story here: http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/06/12/2050255

me2
on June 13th, 2006

Get it here:!

http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html

Mike Blamires
on June 14th, 2006

Finally. This artical propelled me into working with it and wine-tools so long ago, I was very pleased to see it available this morning. It’s about time!

Adler
on June 16th, 2006

Great looking Blog!

zc
on August 23rd, 2006

… Released at last. I just downloaded it from the Google site … installed in 30Secs – and it seems to be faster than my prev wine install. More importantly, the “text” captions describing map references all work

I have Google Earth installed on Win XP and a 1 minute comparison between the two installs, I have no hesitation in proclaiming that the Linux (X86 64 on a AMD Opteron System) is superior to the WinXP.

enjoy

yinka
on December 2nd, 2007