K.R.C. LogoThe Book of Kara

A Tribute to Microsoft Innovation

Published 25 July 2005

Hi! You've stumbled upon a blog post by a guy named Ryan. I'm not that guy anymore, but I've left his posts around because cool URIs don't change and to remind me how much I've learned and grown over time.

Ryan was a well-meaning but naïve and priviledged person. His views don't necessarily represent the views of anyone.

Microsoft went live today with their new Virtual Earth, their innovative (and by innovative I mean direct rip-off of Google Maps) approach to mapping and local search. This product is a wonderful demonstration of the speed in which Microsoft moves in the software industry, and their quick update process and attention to detail. In fact, as reported in The Register, the World Trade Center still stands in all of its glory, as seen here. Kudos Microsoft on entering the nineteen nineties, and doing it so sympathetically.

In case this photo disappears, we have included for posterity, a screenshot:

A Screenshot of the World Trade Center as displayed on Microsoft Virtual Earth on 25 July 2005.

Hope Steve Rubel catches this one.

K.R.C. LogoPrevious: Angry Amazon Review of Rob Thomas’ “…something to be”Next: Published!