with a View Earthscapes in Time hits on a good idea: compare satellite views of Earth over time to see how the planet is changing. Especially as the CD-ROM lets you overlay maps on the images so you can tell where you're looking.
The ecological trouble spots shown on the program are well chosen, including the drying of the Aral Sea, changes in the Brazilian rain forest, damage to the Everglades and the Larsen ice shelf, and the aftermath of the Mount Saint Helens's volcano explosion. You can even see changes in suburban sprawl along the New York-Philadelphia axis. With Version 2.0, park yourself at planet surface level and not only get a satellite view of, say, the Aral Sea receding but watch it from the shoreline, as well.
The interface is intuitive and well thought-out, with prompts and comments – not to mention notes you can add yourself. The installation software is exceptionally considerate: it asks whether you want to use 6 Mbyte, 1 Mbyte, or a mere 4 Kbyte of hard-disk space for the software (the more you use, the faster it runs).
My only disappointment is that I'd like to see close-ups of, and be able to zoom in on, more areas than the two dozen or so covered on the disc.
Earthscapes in Time CD-ROM: US$49.95. Now What Software: (800) 322 1954, +1 (415) 394 5015, fax +1 (415) 394 5035, email smallblue@aol.com.
STREET CRED
Atmospheric AlchemyThe Revolution Will Be Netcast
Satellite
