Google Earth Community: Placemarks and Overlays (Basic Training)

Communication: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.

Our "common system" is the BBS and the Forums within. The "symbols and signs" are the Placemarks, Overlays and Words we use when we post. The "behavior" is our respect for the other users and the conventions of the BBS. The following is a short bit of advice on the "exchange" of your information, with the rest of us.

Before continuing, you should have read a few dozen posts in the BBS and clicked on as many “Attachments”. These Attachments are also called “Placemarks”, and we keep most of them in the forums under the heading labeled "Earth" Some of the Old Timers call them ETA’s or KML’s or KMZ's, that's just because of the file extensions. And I think it makes us feel special. See Making a Placemark for information on creating Placemarks.

Within these forums, we can show off our favorite views of the earth. If YOU thought it was interesting, so might we. Don't worry if no one seems to notice your post at first. I have seen posts sit dormant for a year before someone replies. As a matter of fact, I posted one in the spring of 2003, and still no replies. Hey, they might just be reading it and enjoying the view. If you like ships, architecture, geography, racetracks, my high school, or whatever, place it there. We do try to keep this room organized, and we do it with self-control. Remember that "Behavior" part? First, try to find another post with the same placemark, and then see if you are improving on what's already there. If you are, then post your view and/or information as a reply. If you are not improving, then don't post. If you are off on an entirely new subject, then start a new post.

Simple? Yes and no, finding other posts can be a challenge in itself, since there are 10’s of thousands of posts. Two features can help you find these other posts:

The first is within the Viewer. It is found under “Layers” and is called “Google Earth Community”. Just click on the plus(+) next to one and the item will expand showing dozens of new options. Checking the box will enable previous placemarks posted to the BBS and a left click on one of those "i"s in the view will pop up a description and the words, "Click here for the post", that's a link back to a post in the BBS.

See Stand on the shoulders of giants.

By the way, the BBS layers are updated about once a month, so posts do not show up immediately. Another item of interest, since the Google Earth software is continually being improved, the location of the community within the Layers may change from time to time.

The second is a search feature within the BBS, it lets you find posts with specified words or phrases. Look at the top menu bar from any page within the BBS, and give Search a try. Remember, when searching, to set ALL 5 of the criterion before submitting the search. The three most important criterion are the Forum (I use ALL Forums), Words, and Date Range (I use 4 Year(s)).

Let's try a search right now with these parameters: All Forums; relgeiz; Subject and Body; Last 4 Year(s); Show 25 results.

Did it work? If it did, you are back here. What are those different options in the Search Window all about? Each one lets you narrow your search. They are pretty self explanatory, with the exception of "Keyword Search Terms".

Separate ALL keywords by spaces.

Use keywords for any posts with any keyword. (OR boolean)

Any of the words, appearing anyplace within the Title or Body of the post.

Use +keyword for required words within posts. (AND boolean)

All words in any order, appearing anyplace within the Title or Body of the post.

Use -keyword to exclude posts with a keyword. (NOT boolean)

Ignore all of the words, appearing anyplace within the Title or Body of the post.

Use quotes around a phrase to search for that phrase.

All words exactly as typed, in order, anyplace within the Title or Body of the post.

Use spaces around a word to match the exact word.
Example: " word " Will NOT find "sword"
Example: "word" Will find "sword"

Separate ALL keywords with spaces. Did I mention that already?
Example: +required -excluded "this phrase"

There is also a "Quick Search" located at the bottom of every page, which uses the "All Forums", "Last 4 years", "25" and the same Keyword parameters.

Decision Time:

Do we have something great to post?
Yes, go to step 4.
No, find something else to post and go to step 1.
Have we searched to see if someone else might have already posted the same or similar information.
No, go to step 4.
Previous posts?
No, we are the first, go to Posting Placemarks.
Can we add to or improve the discussion?
Yes, go to Posting Placemarks. (almost the same as starting a post).
Remember, "If you are not improving, then don't post.", find something else and go to step 1.

Post Extras