Redmond, Wash., June 23, 1998 — Microsoft TerraServer, the world’s largest Web database and most detailed global atlas, is putting the world at consumers’ fingertips – literally. Microsoft will officially unveil the site tomorrow as part of Federal Enterprise Day, an event co-hosted by Microsoft and Compaq Computer Corp. – a partner on the TerraServer project — for government agencies building or augmenting computer networks.
Available now at http://www.terraserver.microsoft.com , Microsoft TerraServer is a prime example of how technology is giving people everywhere direct and easy access to an incredible wealth of information.
The new Web site contains more than a terabyte (one trillion bytes) of compressed aerial and satellite photos of the Earth. Microsoft TerraServer will benefit consumers and academics, as well as government and corporate users, by letting them view and download detailed geographic photos with resolutions as close as 1.0 meters – close enough to clearly distinguish buildings and cars, but not people. The site showcases the cooperative efforts of leading industry participants and government agencies – including former Cold War adversaries – on a project of unprecedented scale.
Microsoft created the site with Compaq, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Aerial Images Inc., the provider of SPIN-2 high-resolution satellite and digital imagery. SPIN-2 data was acquired from SOVINFORMSPUTNIK, a branch of the Russian Space Agency. Other contributors include Legato Systems Inc. and Storage Technology Corp..
Microsoft TerraServer, running on Microsoft SQL Server version 7.0 Enterprise Edition, demonstrates the scalability of Microsoft SQL Server and the Microsoft Windows NT Server operating system Enterprise Edition, which can support more than 1 terabyte of data and 6 million hits per day. The site also illustrates the abilities of Microsoft SQL Server data access on the Web.
