See AIM chat connections in Google Earth

[Jeff]

From The Sightseer:

The developers of AOL's instant messaging chat system have an API which allows developers to create innovative applications using anonymous information about chatters. To show a powerful demonstration of what is possible, the AIM host team released a Google Earth network link which lets you dynamically look at the connections between AIM chats geographically around the world.

Download the AIM chat network link, and zoom into a geographical region. After you stop moving, lines will appear that indicate the chats most recently started from that area connecting to the destinations of the chats on the other end. If you zoom back out you will see a network of lines showing the connections around the world.

This is an excellent example of not only AIM's API, but also a powerful demonstration of the Google Earth network link. Read more about the Google Earth network link described by GEarthBlog.

Digg it!

[Jeff]

I've posted a larger screenshot here.

In Google Earth's Places pane, you get a dynamically updated count of active AIM connections with the city names of the end points. This really is pretty cool. You feel like you're in AIM Mission Control.

[Gandalf]

I don't use AIM, but this is a pretty cool mashup of their API and Google Earth. I like seeing what can be done with Google Earth's network feature.

I hate AIM. I love Google Earth. And I'm amazed by this. Glad I can check it out without being an AIM user.