EarthDesk 4 - put the world on your desktop

Filed under: Design, Fun, Windows, Macintosh, Apple, Microsoft, Commercial, Mods

EarthDesk 4 - put the world on your desktop

by Jason Clarke Jul 16th 2007

EarthDesk is a program that puts a map of the world on your Windows or Mac PC's desktop. It includes a number of rendering options, such as optional true cloud coverage downloads (at configurable transparency levels) and configurable moonlight for nighttime areas. You can also choose between different map projections, everything from a true round globe to a rectangular map.

EarthDesk is unique in that it is available for both Windows PCs and Macs - too bad more software vendors don't go this route. There is an evaluation version, but it puts a huge ugly watermark in the middle of the map that may make you want to vomit - okay, that's a bit harsh, but then so is the watermark. A single user license costs $19.95, though it seems more people would pony up if they could actually try the application without the watermark for a period of time.

For a free Windows alternative, check out Desktop Earth. If you know of a free Mac alternative, let us know in the comments.

Tags: Desktop Earth, desktop map, DesktopEarth, DesktopMap, earth map, EarthDesk, EarthMap

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nazim said 12:51PM on 7-16-2007

For windows users, is there any advantage that EarthDesk has over Desktop Earth? I mean, other than having to pay for it...

I've used the latter for over a year now, and, except the different projections, it has all the options you mentioned, AFAIK. But it also offers different levels of urban lighting to the night portions of the map.

eric Farris said 1:13PM on 7-16-2007

Check out OSXplanet (http://www.osxplanet.com/) for a free Mac project with similar features.

Voodooman said 1:13PM on 7-16-2007

For Mac users:
http://www.gabrielotte.com/osxplanet/

Free

xyyxcyxc said 6:44PM on 7-16-2007

One significant advantage of this programme is the "zoom in" feature... or rather it WOULD be if it did not totally ruin the image quality.

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