For the last several FMCA conventions, Jim has provided computer support for an interactive session named RV Destinations. People attending the sessions share their favorite destinations from their RV travels, and Jim finds those destinations using Google Earth. Now you can have the results! If you click on the map at right, it will take you to Google Maps with all the data as live markers.
If you use Google Earth on your computer, you can download the Google Earth File to your computer, then double-click it to open up Google Earth with all the markers listed in your Temporary Places with a heading of IN12 – for the FMCA Convention in INdiana 2012.
The IN12 destinations recommended by our fellow RVers include: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Cherry Hill Park, Crater of Diamonds State Park, Colorado River State Park, Johnny Appleseed Park, Lost Colony … and many more. Just click on the map above to see them all.
How You Can Share Destinations in a Map Like This
If you use Google Earth, you too can package up all your favorite destinations and share with friends.
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First make sure all the placemarks you want to share are being shown in your Google Earth viewer.
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Turn off any and all layers that are not necessary
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File –>Email –>Email View: This is the step that will package up all your placemarks and create a .kmz file out of them. Use the email dialog box to send it to whoever you want, including yourself.
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When your friend receives the email, they can download the .kmz file to their computer, then open it and view your places in Google Earth.
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If you want to share it using Google Maps, there’s another step. If you have something like Dropbox, you can save a copy of the .kmz file on the web. Then, give your friend the URL to that file. They can then go to Google Maps and paste the URL to your .kmz file into the Google Maps Search box.
OR,
you can paste that URL into a Google Maps Search Box. When you see all the placemarks showing, click the Link iconat the top of the My Places list and copy the link to your map.
Past FMCA RV Destination Maps:
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FMCA 2011 Wisconsin Destinations (download WI11.kmz)
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FMCA 2011 Georgia Destinations (download GA11.kmz)
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FMCA 2010 Oregon Destinations (download OR10.kmz)
If you don’t use Google Earth, it’s actually easier. Just go directly to Google Maps, log in with your Google account and create your placemarks in My Places. Save it and then use the link icon to share it.
Hello,
As a computer professional for 45 years now and still working, as a DBA, at present but soon to retire and full time on our Tiffin Phaeton next year, I have evaluated many software programs. I use an Android phone and I am into Google tools. I too like and use Picasa but fell that Adobe Photoshop & Premiere Elements 11 (new version) does a better job of photo editing and that Picasa has no ability to edit and produce videos that Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements can do. These two software utilities used in conjunction with http://www.photoshop.com for cloud storage is a better solution. There is basic photo editiing tools online on photoshop.com that are free but if you need video editing and more advanced photo editing then you would need to spend a few $. The disadvantage is these two packages only run on Windows and cost $. Adobe has a tablet app “Adobe Photoshop Touch” for Android and iPhone tablets for more advanced photo, but not video, editing on a non-Windows platform.
Looking forward to retirement and full-timing. See you on the open road.
Jim