Bhuvan

[Pintu]

ISRO's Bhuvan: Far From Being A Google Earth Killer Anytime Soon | Reuters

ISRO's Bhuvan: Far From Being A Google Earth Killer Anytime Soon
Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:12am IST

By Sruthijith KK - contentSutra

Indian Space Research Organization last week launched Bhuvan, the much anticipated satellite-based 3D mapping application that has been dubbed by many as the ‘Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Earth killer”. We have been testing the site, currently in beta, since yesterday, and can safely say that it won’t pose a challenge to Google’s popular service anytime soon.

While Google Earth works on a downloadable client, Bhuvan works within the browser (only supports Windows and IE 6 and above). The site was inaccessible for the better part of the weekend and even now, it gives up or hangs the browser every once in a while. When a layer (state, district, taluk, etc.) is turned on, it renders unevenly and sometimes fails to render at all. The navigation panel failed to load routinely and it felt like a rare sighting when we could actually use the panel.

But these are relatively minor quibbles compared with the biggest disappointment. The promise of high resolution images has not been kept. While the service promises zoom upto 10 metres from the ground level (this is contrasted with apparently 200 metres for Google Earth), we didn’t encounter a single image with nearly as much detailing. In fact, comparitive results for a marquee location such as New Delhi’s Connaught Place, shows why we won’t be uninstalling out Google Earth software anytime soon (click on the image to view a slideshow of images).

The navigation tools are similar to Google Earth (GE). The search doesn’t work if a query returns multiple results. A pop up window is supposed to give the multiple results from which the user is supposed to be able to choose. During two days of sporadic testing, we found the result only once. The rest of the time, the window would pop up, but nothing would be displayed. When the search is accurate, the software ‘flies in’ to the exact location, the same way as GE.

Users need to create an account and download a plug-in.

Bhuvan packs a lot of data on weather, waterbodies and population details of various administrative units. We were unable to access weather data. Clicking on icons of administrative units show basic information such as the population. For specialist users, Bhuvan might hold some attraction. For instance, there is a drought map which cab be used to compare drought situation across years and there is a flood map that shows Bihar during the Kosi flood and after. With Isro backing, Bhuvan would be able to provide such relevant data from time to time, but the application needs major improvements in terms of usability before it will be of interest to the ordinary user.

Users can also not edit any data or tag locations.

We hope Bhuvan is able to fix the bugs soon. But even then, to be a credible alternative to existing mapping services, and even to get new users to try it, it much provide much higher resolution images. User interest will be piqued only when they can see their house or school or local street in high resolution. With Isro data, this is easily doable.

 

[rubyjackass]

Aargh!!

You don't need content sutra to tell that. Try for yourself. Bhuvan is nowhere close to google earth. Our people should work more and talk less.
Also they should stop associating India with trifles like this. People will think this is all India can do. In any case it is just a project taken up by an organization.
These people make us hang our heads in shame.(

 

[nitesh]

You don't need content sutra to tell that. Try for yourself. Bhuvan is nowhere close to google earth. Our people should work more and talk less.
Also they should stop associating India with trifles like this. People will think this is all India can do. In any case it is just a project taken up by an organization.
These people make us hang our heads in shame.(

No way ISRO has ever said like "Google earth killer" or something like that, this is just stupid DDMites jumping around, and please check the ISRO release it says it is BETA version. So cheer up.

 

[nitesh]

ruby hope this answers:

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/bhuvan-makessplash-in-cyberspace/367672/

Touted as India's answer to Google Earth and Microsoft's Virtual Earth, Bhuvan — a geoportal that allows users to explore a virtual world for free in a 3D environment, with specific emphasis on India — is receiving phenomenal response. Just seven days after it was launched on August 13, nearly 23,000 people from 70 countries around the world have been downloading it daily — amounting to156,000 downloads till date.

A 20-member team from NRSA (a part of Isro) had a lead role in designing and developing Bhuvan under the direction of Jayaraman and Isro Chairman Madhavan Nair.

Comparisons are odious but cannot be avoided with Google Earth and Microsoft's Virtual Earth. "These comparisons are a media creation," says Jayaraman. "Hats off to the remote sensing capabilities of these two companies. However, I must say that when it comes to India, we have very high-resolution images. We do not put this up on the website due to security concerns," he adds.

ok one more stupid headline
Khabrein.info
and see the comments section how people read in to spin and just follow it up

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

6 disappointments in Desi Google Earth​

India recently got its own version of Google Earth, courtesy Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Called Bhuvan, the Desi version of Google Earth goes a step ahead. The mapping application allows users to zoom far closer than the aerial view from a chopper. Though dubbed as a Google Earth killer by many analysts, the application does have a few disappointments. Here's looking into all that is missing in Bhuvan.

While Google Earth works on a downloadable client, Bhuvan works within the browser (only supports Windows and IE 6 and above). Unlike Google Earth which is a desktop app, Bhuvan runs using a browser plug-in. Users need to create an account and download a plug-in.

The site was inaccessible for the better part of the last weekend (it was launched on 13th August) and even now, it gives up or hangs the browser every once in a while. When a layer (state, district, taluk, etc.) is turned on, it renders unevenly and sometimes fails to render at all. The navigation panel failed to load routinely and it felt like a rare sighting when we could actually use the panel.

But these are relatively minor quibbles compared with the biggest disappointment. The promise of high resolution images has not been kept. While the service promises zoom upto 10 metres from the ground level (this is contrasted with apparently 200 metres for Google Earth), we didn’t encounter a single image with nearly as much detailing. In fact, comparative results for a marquee location such as New Delhi’s Connaught Place, shows why we won’t be uninstalling out Google Earth software anytime soon.

The navigation tools are similar to Google Earth. The search doesn’t work if a query returns multiple results. A pop up window is supposed to give the multiple results from which the user is supposed to be able to choose. During two days of sporadic testing, we found the result only once. The rest of the time, the window would pop up, but nothing would be displayed. When the search is accurate, the software ‘flies in’ to the exact location, the same way as Google Earth.

Bhuvan packs a lot of data on weather, waterbodies and population details of various administrative units. We were unable to access weather data. On clicking the icon of administrative units, one could see basic information such as the population. For specialist users, Bhuvan might hold some attraction. For instance, there is a drought map which can be used to compare drought situation across years and there is a flood map that shows Bihar during the Kosi flood and after. With Isro backing, Bhuvan would be able to provide such relevant data from time to time, but the application needs major improvements in terms of usability before it will be of interest to the ordinary user.

Users can also not edit any data or tag locations. We hope Bhuvan is able to fix the bugs soon. But even then, to be a credible alternative to existing mapping services, and even to get new users to try it, it must provide much higher resolution images. User interest will be piqued only when they can see their house or school or local street in high resolution. With ISRO data, this is easily doable.

Courtesy -- Reuters

Link

As this is the Beta Version, I hope things going to improve in future. ISRO has never said Bhuvan is Google Earth Killer.

 

[rubyjackass]

@nitesh:
I opened Bhuvan and tried to use it. Some of the bugs it has are so silly that I cant hold myself from using gaalis. When they made some app like this, common-sense says that you at least get rid of the obvious bugs on the front page after trying and testing some of the simple options there. This shows how irresponsible those fellows are. True they have a lot of data to show. But the first thing they should take care about in the case of Bhuvan is the interface.

It pains me to see ISRO and DRDO 'prove' themselves like this year after year, with project after project.

(

 

[Vinod2070]

I downloaded it and it was not easy to use at all. I gave up after trying for a while, nothing like the ease of use of Google earth.

But it is still beta. I am sure it will improve. I will keep trying to use it.

 

[Dark Sorrow]

People let us give ISRO time to settle down. Any system at the beginning tends to have several problems and bugs.

 

[Pintu]

I do agree , it is a Beta version till now, and hope that , more improvements shall be done in future, I have my faith on ISRO.

Regards

 

[1.44]

The software is good though but slow and definitely needs lot of work done before it come on par to Google Earth

 

[sayareakd]

twice i register on the website, but i could not go any far......... i am disappointed..... in this website.......