I didn’t know it then, but when I was in college I know I passed the man in charge of the earth in the hallways of Learned Hall on the University of Kansas campus. If I met Brian McClendon, I certainly don’t remember it.

The name Brian McClendon is probably not a name you recognize, but he is the man behind the awesome Google Earth software. Like me, he is a Kansas graduate, though he was a couple of years ahead of me in school. For those who have yet to try the free Google Earth, it allows you to zoom in on any place in the world and much more.

One of my favorite features is knowing what Google Earth considers the center of the universe. Go ahead and start the software and zoom in. You’ll find you are looking at Lawrence, Kansas. That’s right, the home of the University of Kansas is the center of the Google Earth universe. To be more exact, it zooms in on Building O of the Meadowbrook apartment complex where McClendon lived before moving on to campus as a student. Mac users will find that the zoom goes to Chanute, Kansas; hometown of developer Dan Webb. Yes, Webb also graduated from KU.

Sure, Google Earth is a lot of fun. Yet it also contains some very useful information as you can look at various neighborhoods and buildings without having to go there. If you don’t already have a copy, download your free copy and have fun!