Do you think Microsoft virtual earth will ever be able to compete with Google's service?

Especially with them both being huge companies, and am I correct to assume Google has had more time to allow for growth than Microsoft!?


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Well, since Google Earth can run on nearly any OS (though I believe it's only for Mac and Windows right now), they could conceivably have it installed on everyone's system. MS will only push it for Windows so you immediately eliminate roughly 20% of the computer population.

If the scientific community finds it useful enough (which I believe they do), then a large portion of the *nix community will probably end up using Google Earth. CNN already uses Google for their maps, and I'm sure National Geographic has some uses for Google also.

Plus, as you said, Google has had time to develop their system; they've already had version 2 come out. People have all sorts of markers and geo-points located on Google Earth, so I don't see a large number moving over to MS unless there's a compelling reason.

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