Google Earth users can now search publicly available Keyhole Markup Language (KML) data files, also known as map layers.

A quick trick for viewing a KML map file directly in Google Maps without downloading it or opening Google Earth.

The powers-that-be would like the public to be able to download a KMZ file so users can open it with their copy of Google Earth rather than using the plug-in. Problem: our CMS cannot host KMZ/KML ...

Google Earth Pro, it turns out, has built-in support for importing shape files. Simply go to File->Import then select “Esri Shape (*.shp)” from the file types list.

One thing we have noticed is that Google Earth saves KML files with an unnecessary amount of precision for latitudes and longitudes.

Google Earth also allows you to save layers of geographically indexed data -- like markers for ranger stations in a certain area -- as KMZ files. You can access any data from these files, indexed ...

Then, on your other computers, open Google Earth and select File>Open. Open the .kmz file.

The spread of that information has already extended to Google competitor Microsoft Virtual Earth, which has started to include KML files in Live Search Maps.

The locations download as a kmz file that you can import into your Google Earth and save in your places. All of the places in your locations can be downloaded and shared as kmz files.