A month ago I was saying that Google should buy @Last Software, the company behind Sketchup, the incredibly innovative 3D modelling software. Lo and behold @Last Software have now released a pre-beta utility to output Sketchup models to Google Earth KMZ format.
One example on the utility download page is for 
the Acropolis in Greece and after taking the bird's eye tour I have to say I now have a greater understanding of the historical landmark that I ever gleaned by reading numerous encyclopedia articles when I was a young lad. Sometimes I really envy today's students!
What a shame Sketchup is so out of my price range. If Google bought it and made it a free download I'd guarantee them a volunteer army of Google Earth 3D modellers. Microsoft's Virtual Earth would be left trembling.
I downloaded a copy of SketchUp a couple of months back and it's a really cool piece of software. I haven't done as much experimenting as I'd like but hopefully I will soon.
Posted by: Johnny K | September 01, 2005 at 01:13 AM
from sketchup newletter March 2006:
WHAT’S NEW
Well, about the biggest thing ever: we've been Googled! That's right, Google Inc. has acquired @Last Software…so you might have just spit your coffee all over your keyboard, or you're rolling your eyes thinking this is another one of my April Fool's jokes. Believe me, we're still having a hard time believing it ourselves, but it's real—we are now Google!
:)
you should move forward to investment banking maybe
hvt
Posted by: h.v.t. | March 14, 2006 at 04:41 PM
Wow, thanks for passing on that new HVT. That's the coolest thing I've heard in a long time. I hope they now make it available for free :)
Posted by: James Corbett | March 14, 2006 at 04:56 PM