Exploring Google Earth in Linux
SHOTS OF EARTH
Google Earth lets you view the world from space and zoom in on towns, roads, and even buildings. We’ll show you how to travel the planet from your Linux desktop.
Google Earth [1] brings hi-res aerial views of the whole Earth to your computer desktop. The latest full release, Google Earth 4, integrates satellite and aerial images with Wikipedia text [2], 3D models, and photos from Panoramio [3]. We tried out version 4 in Linux and found the journey quite pleasing – but if you ever decide to integrate your own 3D model, you may need Windows or MacOS.
On Screen
To run Google Earth in Linux, you need a desktop with working 3D acceleration. Apart from this, the software does not ask too much of your computer: a CPU with a clock speed of 500MHz and 128MB RAM are all it takes, although Google does recommend a 2.4 GHz CPU and 512MB RAM to avoid annoying screen refresh delays. Because Google Earth downloads the image data while you are using the tool, you also need a fast Internet connection. The box titled "Installation" tells you how to set up Google Earth on Linux.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Dutch Government Turns to Open Source for Digital Sovereignty
Following in the footsteps of European countries, the Netherlands is looking to increase its sovereign digital infrastructure with open source software.
-
Linux May Soon Work on Snapdragon X2-Based PCs
If you're thinking about buying a Snapdragon X2-based desktop or laptop, Linux may soon be an option.
-
KDE for People Initiative Calls for AI Ban in Plasma
A new community of KDE wants the project to adopt a strict no-AI policy for KDE Plasma.
-
KDE Sets Ambitious Goals for 2026 and Beyond
KDE Connect reveals the goals for the Linux desktop darling, with one of those goals long overdue.
-
It’s Time to Test Fedora 45 Beta
Fedora 45 beta has been released with updated Gnome, KDE Plasma, and kernel.
-
Ubuntu Stonking Stingray Gets Even Rustier
Ubuntu 26.10 has completed its migration to the Rust-based coreutils.
-
AI Fixes Linux Bottlenecks Using “Hideous” Code
A Linux developer used AI to fix bottlenecks that caused problems when building the kernel. The resulting AI-generated code needed a lot of work.
-
Advanced Video Coding Still Under Patent
Brazilian patent BRPI0109962B1 has expired, which means that DivX and Xvid are no longer problematic for Linux, but it doesn’t mean that video is all of a sudden fully unleashed.
-
2,000 Vulnerabilities per Linux Release
Thanks to AI bug hunters, the Linux kernel is seeing record numbers of vulnerabilities, and it's overwhelming developers.
-
Linux Exempt from California’s Age Verification Law
So long as Linux is distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses, the OS is exempt from being required to verify the age of its users in California.