There is a lot of jargon that gets tossed around this site quite a bit. So we have provided this short but growing glossary for technical terms that may appear in or are related to the content of this site. Enjoy.

DEC
DMS
EarthSpots
Google Earth
Mapquest
Multimap
NASA's World Wind

DEC
DEC refers to decimal format for expressing a point in longitude and latitude. A set of DEC coordinates uses a single decimal, ten-based number to represent each latitude and longitude position. This system typically uses positive numbers to represent locations in North and East areas, and negative numbers for South and West.
Example latitude in DEC Format: 37.234085
Same latitude in DMS Format: N(+) 37° 14' 02.70''
Note that even though the whole number degree infront is still the same in either format, what follows the degree differs in each format.

DMS
DMS refers to Degrees-Minutes-Seconds format for expressing a point in longitude and latitude. A set of DMS coordinates usually uses 3 sets of numbers to represent each latitude and longitude position the degrees, minutes and seconds. This system typically uses N,S,E,W infront of the first number set to indicate location, but does also often use the same (positive-negative) system as the DEG format (positive numbers to represent locations in North and East areas, and negative numbers for South and West.)
Example longitude in DEC Format: -115.808388
Same longitude in DMS Format: W(-)115° 48' 30.19''
Note that even though the whole number degree infront is still the same in either format, what follows the degree differs in each format.

EarthSpots
EarthSpots are what this site is all about. An EarthSpot is a specific spot or region of interest on the surface of the Earth. It may be beautiful to look at, or it may be where someone lives, or it may be a monument, a capital building, city, etc. Essentially, an EarthSpot is a spot worth looking at..

Google Earth

Google Earth is an amazing free program that lets you explore the entire suface of the earth using a patchwork of satellite images. It is one of the free programs you can explore an EarthSpot with by clicking the 'Jump To Spot In Google Earth' link (and choosing 'open' rather than save) beneath that EarthSpot's details.
Note 1- You must have Google Earth installed on your computer in order for the 'Jump To Spot In Google Earth' link to work on your computer.
Note 2 - FireFox users, if you have trouble using 'Jump To Spot In Google Earth' link, try adding the 'IE View' addon for FireFox located here. This will allow you to view the links with the ease of MSIE browser users.

< Click here for EarthSpots.com's Google Earth Details, Links & Comments Page >

MapQuest

MapQuest.com is a website that provides free road maps and driving directions for almost everywhere in the world. Recently, they have allowed users to search their maps via Longitude and Latitude coordinates. It is one of the free services you can explore an EarthSpot with by clicking the 'Jump To Spot In MapQuest' link beneath that EarthSpot's details.
< Click here for EarthSpots.com's MapQuest Details Page >

MultiMap

MultiMap.com is a website that provides free road maps, airport / driving directions and local weather reports for almost everywhere in the world. Search their maps using addresses, postal codes, or more recently, via Longitude and Latitude coordinates. It is one of the free services you can explore an EarthSpot with by clicking the 'Jump To Spot In Multimap' link beneath that EarthSpot's details.
< Click here for EarthSpots.com's Multimap Details Page >