If you haven't seen this - download it as soon as possible!

This is the most stunning piece of new software I've seen in years - seriously. ''Google Earth'' combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips.

Once loaded, expect to lose the next two or three hours at least - because you won't be heard of again for that long. It could even make you interested in Geography! If you have children at school you needs this.

Not only is it great fun to play with, but it's incredibly useful as well. Ask Google Earth to plot a route between two places. It does so switfly complete with driving directions. (Bye-bye Autoroute, you're redundant!) Then - amazingly - click the "Play" button and it will "drive you" down the route in 3D. Stop anywhere and ask Google Earth the location of (say) the nearest Italian Restaurant and it will list the nearest and give you directions to your chosen one as well.

Now I've got you enthused, here's the damper. So high has the demand been, (it's only a Beta test version at the moment) that Google have stopped downloads for the time being. Keep trying the site though and grab it as soon as you can! Oh yes - there's a $20 version that downloads routes to your GPS as well - so I'll be buying that for sure!

Google - I take my hat off to you. It's stunning - see the Grand Canyon in proper 3D then go and ''stand in the river'' and look up at the cliffs around you; Park yourself in the middle of Lake Lucerne and stare up at the Rigi Mountain; or sit on top of Everest and look down! When you find a place you like (and you will find plenty) automatically email the location data to a friend - they double click the link and Google Earth "flys them in" from outer space!

Get it as soon as you can - click the picture above to go there.