Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

Banquo reviewed v1.4.1 Alpha on Feb 10, 2009

Great to see they're still updating this, it's been a while and I was worried it was going to be abandoned.

To the poster below, It's all in your mind, there's really no reason that installing .Net framework would slow your computer down.

wodez reviewed v1.4.1 Alpha on Feb 10, 2009

"don't get people that complain about .NET like it's some kind of malicious spyware"

Because it is perhaps? Ok, not spyware but for some "strange" reason my computer is much faster and responsive when either the .net or java frameworks are not installed.

Howell reviewed v1.4.0 on Feb 8, 2007

Excellent, as usual, and the new interface is much better.

As it has already been said this is NOT the final release but a RC5. The final is scheduled for the Valentine's Day.

Remember also that the comparison between NWW and GE is a bit odd because NWW :
- is an open source project
- uses free data
- has unique features in this new version (3D glasses usage, dynamic sun lighting,...)
- is mainly intended for scientific purposes
- can display Earth but also other planets...

I gave it a 5 :D

Do you want to see what the planet would look like if the temperature keeps on rising ?
Use NWW :
-> http://forum.worldwindce...m/showthread.php?t=8592

Skyfrog reviewed v1.4.0 on Feb 7, 2007

I don't get people that complain about .NET like it's some kind of malicious spyware. It doesn't hurt anything and more and more software is going to require it, plus it comes as part of Vista. Get over it.

This is not the final by the way, wait until Feb 14

onestar reviewed v1.4.0 on Feb 7, 2007

Skyfrog:

You misunderstood. My apologies.

I merely wished to let everyone know it required .NET. Usually, that's listed as a prerequisite.

As for the 2...that was an error. I clicked at the wrong time. That has now been resolved.
---
World Wind now requires .NET 2.0 as of release 1.4

kingclyde reviewed v1.4 RC5 on Jan 27, 2007

Excellent program for the people who know what it's for. Unfortunatly we still seem to be getting people who just can't understand that this is not for looking up streets. If you don't understand a program, 1)Why are you downloading it? 2)Don't write a review bashing it when YOU can't read a description! Again for those who can't read a description but can read a review, THIS IS NOT GOOGLE EARTH nor does it claim to be. Also if you have a 800Mhz processor with 128MB of ram,this isn't for you.

jspratjr reviewed v1.4 RC5 on Jan 27, 2007

Terrific program and as comeoffit mentioned, "getting better and prettier".

mtnsteve reviewed v1.4 RC5 on Jan 27, 2007

Comparing GE to WW is like comparing Adobe Photoshop to Paint.

WW is for education and serious map users, not for looking up road maps or seeing 3D images of your house. One feature I especially like is the USGS Topo maps. You pay literally hundred of dollars to get these maps with other programs and that is just for one state. You get the whole US for free with WW. That alone is a feature worth using this amazing program for.

If you want to find the local Taco Bell use Google

comeoffit reviewed v1.4 RC5 on Jan 27, 2007

World Wind is getting better and prettier.

No offense to Google Earth users but the fact that WW is different than GE and you aren't smart enough to use it doesn't make World Wind a bad program. In fact, it is a great tool in which you can make things that GE can only dream of.

doctorsmith reviewed v1.4 RC5 on Jan 27, 2007

goes from bad to worse.
No offense to World Wind users but it makes idiots feel like they're doing something clever or important because it has the word NASA on it.

godzila reviewed v1.4 RC5 on Jan 26, 2007

bad

Alex Stevens reviewed v1.4 RC3 on Jan 8, 2007

Great program if you understand what it's for. This is not a competitor to Google Earth, please stop comparing it and giving it bad ratings because it doesn't have road maps or directions to Hardee's. No offense but for many Google Earth users this is probably over their head.

Ian C. reviewed v1.4 RC2 on Dec 26, 2006

It's a good program for what it's designed for. People keep giving it really low scores because it's not as useful to them as Google Earth, well it was designed for science research, not getting driving directions. Although I must speculate that this project will probably be discontinued seeing as how NASA has teamed up with Google. All of the several petabytes of atmospheric data NASA collects each month will be available for researchers, as well as everyone else, very soon via some interface in Google Earth.

landfish reviewed v1.4 RC2 on Dec 26, 2006

This is a real So So product;
So much promise,
So little delivered,
So many bugs,
So just get Google Earth

gmartau reviewed v1.4 RC1 on Nov 6, 2006

To avoid wasting your time you must know that if you download the zip version available here at fileforum, to be able to run this program you need
- Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0
- DirectX 9.0c SDK (directx 9.0c that come with Windows XP is not enough)
Program interface needs many improvements or some of your time to figure out how to use it. It is very hard to use comparing with Google Earth.
I dragged with the mouse the globe to locate my country but this started to rotate with no chance to stop it. I had to restart the program.
It locate my country from Europe with the Earth globe upsidedown that is not the way we are familiar.
The data is absent or needs a lot of bandwidth comparing with GoogleEarth.
Sorry. I was very excited to try it but this version is not usable for me. I hope will be better in the future.

burfadel reviewed v1.4 RC1 on Nov 5, 2006

This is an excellent programme, sure there can be improvements or modifications done to it to make it better, but what programme doesn't?

I agree that its silly saying one programme is crap because you don't care for it and you're an avid user of another programme. It makes it sound as though you haven't even tried it with an open opinion. Sure you can try it but if you have reservations then that would affect your opinion of it.

Another review stated that Google Earth is crap and they prefer this one better. Thats completely different and it sounds as though the person tried Google Earth and wasn't impressed with its features, its compatibility with his system, or the detail available for the areas that they're interested in. Of course, the other person could be working for Google :D

Having tried both, and having an open opinion, they're both good! Detail wise for the actual application of the programme they both represent what is best available to the general public without paying for it (or what data the programme has access to).

I recommend neither programme if you have only a slow connection or a small download limit (less than 1GB per month) as due to the nature of the programme they both have to download a large amount of data. This programme isn't massive compared to Google Earth. Not that I checked it but isn't it actually smaller?

utomo reviewed v1.4 RC1 on Nov 4, 2006

It still need many improvements:
- Easier user interface.
- More broader coverage with more details data. some area only have no details.
- reduce the bandwith usage.
- In the Installation better if we can choose which country or area we mostly use, and then it will store the data of that area local, so it save bandwith.
and better at installation we can choose the cache size.
and other improvements

deaza7 reviewed v1.4 RC1 on Nov 4, 2006

I think this program does deserve a rating of 5. It does what it says it should do & does it very well.
Castiglione, you should not simply rate a program because you like another one better. Even worse, rating it without even using it. You could use Google Earth to compare features & stuff like that. But don't just rate it without measuring features & glitches between both programs...
Just my humble opinion.

Alex Stevens reviewed v1.4 RC1 on Nov 3, 2006

This is a great program, oriented more for scientific use. Google Earth is just a fancy 3D road maps program, it has nothing on this.

castiglione reviewed v1.4 RC1 on Nov 3, 2006

Giving it a three for not really caring for this program, I am an avid user of Google Earth..

Blackhole8746: "Very good software, much better than Google Earth... Google earth is a very badly-done piece of crap"

So, you think it's "badly done"? Do you have proof other than your negativity and other stuff like that? Please, Google Earth is free and it's a small program compared to NWW.

Blackhole8746 reviewed v1.3.5 on Jul 26, 2006

Very good software, much better than Google Earth... Google earth is a very badly-done piece of crap

landfish reviewed v1.3.5 on May 20, 2006

After being really disappointed with NWW I haven't gone near it for ages. When 1.3.5 came I thought, ok must be improved by now, it isn't. Kramy picks out 3 points in his review that need some serious improvement, and there are a lot more. This will be the last time I download this program unless it can be shown that nasa has made huge improvements with it, I will stick with google earth, a fifth of the size to download and several powers better. On google earth I can make out where I live, and it's in a low resolution area, on NWW I can hardly make out the town and surrounds. Very disappointing.

Umapathy reviewed v1.3.5 on May 15, 2006

I really like NASA World Wind as Landmark links to Wikipedia the free encyclopedia. I zoomed to my mother country Sri Lanka but I feel that the resolutions are not adequate. Apart from this is a nice application and I appreciate more if NASA can provide high resolution maps and also downloadable maps so that can be used offline since many developing countries not all parts have high speed internet connection.

TehJohnus reviewed v1.3.5 on May 15, 2006

A lot of nice features, which work well for what they are designed to do. I like the ability to see icons where all the earthquakes have been over the last 7 days, and find out their location beneath the surface, magnitude, etc.

World Wind is good for scientific, educational and research purposes. For driving directions, local information, geocaching, exploring and other recreational activities, I'm going to stick with the solid, great-performing Google Earth.

Kramy reviewed v1.3.5 on May 13, 2006

Before 1.3.5, none of the versions for the past year worked on my computer. Finally getting a functioning version is nice.

It's ok, but some things I dislike:
1) Low resolution images compared to Google Earth.
2) Inverted mouse movement with no way to change it.
3) Extremely choppy graphics on an overclocked 6600GT.

Not really worth it...I'll probably stick with Google Earth.

coover reviewed v1.3.5 Beta 5 on May 11, 2006

Avast is giving you a false warning. Perhaps you should give Avast a rating of 1.

Jonasson reviewed v1.3.5 Beta 5 on May 11, 2006

My anti-virus program (avast!) gives me a trojan warning when trying to download the .exe. What's up with that?

Banquo reviewed v1.3.4 on Apr 21, 2006

Excellent program, but you need a good system, fast connection and you need to learn how to use it. You can't just install it and expect to immediately start using it properly. Unlike Google Earth which is more of a mom and pop friendly program that holds your hand for you. This is what NASA uses after all, they were simply kind enough to make it open source and available to everyone.

There are people who make unofficial cache packs that you can add, but you can't download a version with all the satellite and USGS imagery because it would take terabytes upon terabytes, there's just no way.

dzjepp reviewed v1.3.4 on Apr 20, 2006

Howell, or anyone else, where can you download the full-cache version? (With all images preloaded)

lil2short2see reviewed v1.3.4 Beta 6 on Apr 19, 2006

Actually, this is a descent program. However, Google Earth is quite smaller in size. Many features are still useful. I have both NASA and Google installed, and I refer to both. Try it out!

Spogatz reviewed v1.3.4 Beta 5 on Apr 19, 2006

There is one thing that this will do that the other products on the market will not.

3D Topo maps

I hike and this has been invaluable to me to be able to see the terrain on a topo map in 3D before a trip

Howell reviewed v1.3.4 Beta 5 on Apr 19, 2006

Pros :
- if you have enough space (hundreds of Gigs) you can download the whole imagery locally
- Open Source

Cons :
- other softwares such as Google Earth have much more precise photos depending of the place you look at
- really usefull only for the US (the rest of the world resolution is bad)
- less users than Google Earth

My opinion : I will stick to Google Earth ;)

Skyfrog reviewed v1.3.4 Beta 5 on Apr 18, 2006

With Google Earth I cannot see my house, not even close. I just get a green blur of the hills so far away my house wouldn't even be a microscopic speck. Unless you live in the city Google Earth is crap. With Worldwind and USGS aerial I can see the cars parked in my driveway. Of course Google has a huge following of fanboys so naturally they're going to bash this program.

landfish reviewed v1.3.4 Beta 5 on Apr 18, 2006

so much promise, so little delivered. This would have to rank as one of the most disappointing pieces of software ever, Goole Earth beats this hands down. At least G.E. recognizes that the rest of the world exists while N.W.W. thinks like most of america that the world ends at their costline. Maybe they could put a few "Dragons Here" signs on that other big area past their shores - called the rest of the world.
"Blackhole8746", your either joking, an american, or living in a blackhole. Just get Google Earth, a quarter of the size to download and 100 times better.

soots reviewed v1.3.4 Beta 5 on Apr 18, 2006

well still the same old crap ,my city has not be built yet acording to this ,funny ,liveing in it

tenebrusmke79 reviewed v1.3.4 Beta 3 on Apr 12, 2006

"This is great but why do you think the crappy Google Earth is better?" Why use Google Earth? It's easier to use, and it's smaller, and it's customizable (as far as placing custom placemarks is concerned). Also, Google Earth has more quality images than this thing has. I will continue to use Google Earth 100% of the time that I need a map.

RN reviewed v1.3.3.1 on Dec 29, 2005

NO BAD, BUT NOT PERFECT !

Blackhole8746 reviewed v1.3.3.1 on Nov 20, 2005

This is great but why do you think the crappy Google Earth is better?

mjm01010101 reviewed v1.3.3.1 on Oct 27, 2005

I just checked out for the first time since Google earth came out. so slow compareatively. some are in this that aren't in GE, but the quality of GE is so much better. I'll continue to use GE for 99% of my needs.

utomo reviewed v1.3.3.1 on Oct 26, 2005

It still need many improvements:
- Easier and better user interface, including for new user& non techie, so can use it easier
- Newer images
- Better support for outside US. Example try to view Jakarta (Indonesia Capitol), Bali: What you can see ???
- Better support for slow Internet connections.

ranma.2 reviewed v1.3.3.1 on Oct 26, 2005

Wow - but google is much much better

HelgeFossmo reviewed v1.3.3.1 on Oct 26, 2005

NEW Feature/Fixes IN 1.3.3
==========================

* NASA Blue Marble Next Generation integrated (Issue WW-443)
* NRL Realtime weather integrated (Issue ADD-29)
* Startup Wizard enabled (WW-380)

* World changing support through menu system (Issue WW-444)
* Moon atmosphere disabled (Issue WW-445)
* Single VS.NET solution (Issue WW-361)
* Blue Marble uses terrain (Issue WW-239)
* Added transparent color for textures (Issue WW-442)
* Opacity Control for showing index of ThemeLayers (Issue WW-25)
* Added distance measuring tool (Issue WW-131)
* Configuration Wizard addresses all settings (Issue WW-301)
* Removed unused DLLs (Issue WW-333)
* Removed obsolete projects (Issue WW-347)
* Renamed Startup Wizard to Configuration Wizard (Issue WW-360)
* Seperate XML settings file for different versions (Issue WW-368)
* Plugin unloading when quiting (Issue WW-393)
* Terrain data won't download and build a mesh when terrain is disabled (Issue WW-394)
* Menu bar can remove buttons (Issue WW-399)
* Network path support (Issue WW-402)
* Bathymetry rendering (Issue WW-398)
* Tiny icon text fixed (Issue WW-400)
* Redundant rescaling icons fixed (Issue WW-423)
* SVS loads layer list fixed (Issue WW-422)
* configuration Wizard runs first (Issue WW-416)
* Mouseover text appears first (Issue WW-252)
* Improved error window during crash (Issue WW-351)
* Dynamic custom terrain loaders (Issue WW-397)
* Alpha transparency for tool bar icons (Issue WW-405)
* World Wind version number based on .exe (Issue WW-413)
* Fullscreen command from an extra running copy ignored (Issue WW-414)
* Removed non existant settings stored in app.config (Issue WW-424)
* Removed OEMPipe and Enter as zoom controls (Issue WW-420)
* Removed unused code (Issue WW-16)
* Removed unused assembly references (Issue WW-410)
* Terrain mesh code updated (Issue WW-404)
* logfile HTTP error messages formatted (Issue WW-415)
* Vsync setting added (Issue WW-409)
* NSIS script files updated to compile under NSIS 2.10
* Installer contains update for Managed DirectX 9 October 2005

Sybs reviewed v1.3.3.1 on Oct 26, 2005

Oh there you go again CyberHobo.
Same review as for Google Earth eh?

This is good program, but to me it seems kinda difficult to work. Also, it sticks while scrolling up close for some reason.
Certain locations look like a real mess when zooming in. They don't have the tiling looking as nice as Google Earth has.

CyberHobo reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 25, 2005

Google Earth is only slightly better than this one. I want to see high resolution at 20 meters and full global coverage. Alright, you may hide/distort Area 51 if you want.

anomoly reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 25, 2005

Google earth IS better but what I really want is the ability to save the data to a hd. Is this not possible?? That way no internet connection would be required in order to use it. Just update every so often. That would be tax dollars well spent!

guevara reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 25, 2005

I whish this would be better than Google earth
but--- it is not.
Not more to say

Skyfrog reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 25, 2005

Worldwind has great imagery available and I can get very close anywhere in the country, even rural areas. Best of all the images don't have copyright Google plastered all over them. Their servers are very slow however and they often quit responding. Check the WorldWind forums, this is a known issue and they are working on adding more servers. This program also seems to have a memory leak or some problem where after extended use the globe starts losing textures or becomes distorted. Unless you have a monster of a computer you may have problems running this monster of a program. Google Earth eats up far fewer resources so it may be better for those of us who can't afford the same computers NASA uses.

zimu reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 25, 2005

Banquo: "My only complaint is that they need to improve their server capacity as sometimes it gets really busy, but other than that it works fine."

Maybe if you upgraded from your 14.4kbit AOL unlimited dialup package, you may notice some improvement :-P

LeXTeRiTY_X reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 25, 2005

Funny, httpd.confused is probably the best reviewer here in BetaNews. I've read all of his(?) reviews and completely agree then, and sure doesn't piddle in anybody's pockets.

To whoever said it, can you really see your car? Satellite imagery open to the public are years old, unless ofcourse you work for the secret services. Google actually was close to shutting down because terrorists could use G.E. to find and target sensitive locations, albeit Google's response to that "they are over a year old". Alternatively, they could just display blank areas or "red herrings" in these areas.

World Wind is a different alternative which hopefully may start a spawn of many satellite imagery rivals competiting against eachother to be better, but Google Earth is the best so far. W.W's interface is somewhat confusing compared to G.E's, although the 3D terrains are a different approach to G.E's view angle.

Neoprimal reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 25, 2005

A good program. Nothing to complain about. I prefer google as there are more 'home user' friendly options there, but this is pretty nice as well. The options are VERY nice to play with. I have a good video card and cars look almost the same as they do on google. If you like Google Earth, then get World Wind - plain and simple, cuz chances are you'll like it as well.

Banquo reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 24, 2005

I'm extremely suspicious of the last three reviews. All appear to be from the very same person (or troll more likely) using different names. Come on BetaNews, can't something be done about that? Anyway I've had no trouble at all with this program, and for what I use it for find it to be far superior to Google Earth. At least with this I can see my house and cars parked in the driveway. With Google I just get a green blotch. You do need a fast computer with a good 3D card for Worldwind. Don't complain if you are trying to run it on some ten year old piece of junk. There's certainly nothing difficult about using it either. My only complaint is that they need to improve their server capacity as sometimes it gets really busy, but other than that it works fine.

httpd.confused reviewed v1.3.3 on Oct 24, 2005

About as user-friendly and polished as a cat with rabies.

And let me just reply to the person above who hasn't been around the last couple of years, to read any of my 5,000-or-so reviews...

I installed World Wind. I disliked the interface. It has none of the zoom or rotate controls that Google Earth does, as just a couple examples. (And yes, I know you can zoom with the Num+/- keys). And one of my software peeves are stupid toolbar-type controls that require you to hover the damned mouse over them to find out what they are.

Then there is that awful Layer Manager. If place names are shown, and you uncheck a parent item in the Layer Manager, all the child place names are removed. This makes sense. What happens if you recheck the same parent item? It makes all the child place names show again--sometimes. Other times, on my system, it doesn't do diddly squat. Again, this is on my system. If you can't reproduce this, I couldn't care less; it's a bit tough and unrealistic for me to review the software based on how it works on your system isn't it? (Take all the time you need figuring that one out.)

In Google Earth, you can find an address simply using the search string "[street address], [ZIP code]". If you can do that in World Wind, you couldn't prove it by me, as it didn't work for any of the addresses I tried.

At one point, I chose different directories for the cache, data, and config, using the wizard provided. After that, nothing worked in World Wind (despite the applicable files also having been moved).

And believe it or not, but with default settings, the image quality I saw was utterly terrible, at least in the places that I care about. (Yes, I know about the different USGS topographies. But again, should I review based on how well it works for me, or how well it works for you?) Even when I used the ugly black-and-white 1m/pixel image set, the quality was awful. Google Earth provides much better quality for my needs.

And how about that nice feature of Google Earth that lets you very easily find driving directions between two addresses? Does World Wind let you do that? No. (It doesn't really matter if you can't find the addresses to begin with!)

How about Google Earth's "My Places" feature? Does World Wind have an easy way to save and manipulate saved locations? If it does, they did a good job hiding it from me.

And thanks for the concern about my hardware, but I assure you, it's quite powerful. I had no performance issues, only usability issues.

So, sorry I disagree with you, and that you just arrived here five minutes ago and decided to start making judgment calls on people rather than software, but your facts need sorting out.

There you have it. A bit more information than a "I can see my car!" review, huh? Did I justify my rating well enough, or am I still a "troll"?

scriptee reviewed v1.3.2 Test on Aug 16, 2005

Comming from NASA I would have expected a little more... I find that this software makes looking and zooming very easy for the average user, but advaced stuff is a little tricky to understand (fair enough). The quality when zoomed in to the max is shocking! I mean, whats the point in zooming in far enough that the a single pixel takes up more than your entire screen? O.o

utomo reviewed v1.3.2 Test on Aug 15, 2005

We need more info in this versions:
1. Whats new compared to 1.3.1.1 ?
2. What is the different between 44MB download and 180MB download ?
3. why the source only 3MB ?
4. We need more screenshot about the user interface. so user can get more ideas and decide before download this big software.

Keep improve the products. Good Luck

Banquo reviewed v1.3.2 Test on Aug 15, 2005

Google Earth doesn't hold a candle to this program, it doesn't have close to the amount of features this has. Plus Worldwind is open source and there are tons of user made addons available for it. Instead of having just one pitiful satellite view this offers pretty much ALL of them, along with USGS aerial photos and high resolution USGS urban. This also uses shuttle radar topography data to give a true 3D view of the landscape. True you need a good PC and fast internet connection to make the most of it but it's truly worth it. Oh and to poptest, this is a free program. How is it a waste of money? If you don't even know what you are talking about DON'T do a review.

Comit reviewed v1.3.2 Test on Aug 15, 2005

While I think Google's equivalent to this (Google Earth) is better, it's still a 5 star program - awesome :D

Just a lil' laggy even for high end computers...

benZin reviewed v1.3.1.1 on Jul 5, 2005

EXCELLENT!

tewa reviewed v1.3.1 on May 5, 2005

Great concept, when it works it is great, when it doesn't it's really frustrating!!! I tried to look the Urban photo of my house and from 300 miles and down, everything is white. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it several times, it still shows the white map. All other types of photo worked.

It is also very heavy on CPU. I have a P4 2.8 hyperthreading CPU with 1GB memory and the CPU is running at 75% when this program is running.

POPtest reviewed v1.3 Beta on Mar 9, 2005

Too big. Waste of money. Waste of time. Waste of air. Waste of space. Waste of energy. Waste of old compter resource. buy new compter. buy new modem. buy this and that. Get alife.

check out keyhole

Crypton reviewed v1.3 Beta on Mar 8, 2005

WoW ...

This software is sweet. The gov and such are making some awesome free stuff, we got Americas Army which for a free FPS is just kick a...

and then we got this nice work of art here which is open source. Well, now that I have seen Sweden, no need to go there lol j/k

Bugeyes reviewed v1.3 Beta on Mar 4, 2005

Wow, impressive program. For kicks, turn on the position by clicking 'position information'. Select Landsat 7 (Visible Color) then click and hold your mouse button, move the point around until latitude is 37.23303 and longitude is -115.80010. You might need to zoom in while you're doing this to get a more accurate selection.

The best view is at about 18000-20000m with vertical exaggeration at 0.0x

Can you guess what you're looking at?

Bug(.)(.)Eyes

glynnej reviewed v1.3 Beta on Mar 3, 2005

A quite stunning piece of software.

Needs a good broadband connection as it seems to grab extra resolution data as you zoom in.

But the worldwide detail is impressive. I’ve been able to see streets in Canada, UK and Australia - even an apartment block that I once lived in Kuwait.

mjm01010101 reviewed v1.3 Beta on Mar 3, 2005

UI is much worse, IMO, it's difficult to see what you are clicking until you mouseover, ala mac OSX. However the features have exploded somewhat and the graphics and tweaks are much more thorough. This seems like a whole new version rather than a point release.

Rogueosb reviewed v1.3 Beta on Mar 3, 2005

Works GREAT. They really improved the UI since v1.2. WorldWind has always impressed me, especially the fact that such a piece of software would be FREE. It's a must try.