The possibilities of globe publishing on the web

Abstract

This paper discusses the different techniques one can use to publish digital models of real globes on the web. The described solutions form two groups. The first one includes various KML/KMZ models viewable in geo-browsers or using the Google Earth plug-in, while the second one consists of VRML/X3D models. The main advantages and disadvantages of each solution are also discussed. Although the main purpose of these techniques is to publish digital models of old globes, any other kind of global raster data can be visualized in the same way.