'Mid 2011' iMac + 10.9.3
I've read a lot of criticism about Google Earth - particularly that it messes with the OS and installs unsafe components.
Anyone prepared to say that the latest Google Earth versions are safe to use, please?
If not, what are my alternatives?
Thanks!
iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2), Clean machine... no haxies; no Microsoft etc
This is just my own strong opinion here, but I do not like any of Google's apps on a Mac.
Especially having that Google Keystone agent kext installed in the OS X extensions folder.
It is true that Google installs a lot of stuff over the entire Mac OS X system and some of this has had a negative effect on OS X performance and, in some case here, has had issues with interfering with the OS X Finder.
I do not think Google Earth is problematic on OS X, but I stick to my guns that both Google Chrome browser and Google Drive aren't that great and are still causing issue for some users running OS X either OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and OS X 10.9 Mavericks.
Some of the regular contributors will question my advice, but I have had users tell me as soon as they stopped using and uninstalled both or either Chrome or Drive, they saw the OS X performance immediately improve.
So, if you are running any of these I would just completely install these per the uninstall instructions on Google's website.
It's saf, if you have Mavericks installed as your profile states, I'd reocmmend using Apple's Map's app. It's already pre-installed on your computer.
Sorry. Yes. Thanks.
But I've read that Google Maps can seriously damage the health of your OS… installs components/modules that conflict and prevent the OS and other apps from working properly. And is hard to uninstall completely if that happens?
MichelPM,
Thanks!
That's exactly what I was fearing. Your reply is very helpful. I've read just the same thing. Hadn't pinpointed a kext. But it doesn't surprise me.
One site I visited definitely said not to install Google Earth (for the reasons you kindly set out here).
Anyone know of an alternative - for street views etc, please?
Thanks, rkaufmann87!
I looked at Maps. What I need is the street view. Maps lacks that, I believe.
VR, panaromas at eye level…
You did not mention that in your initial post, so Google Maps is it then.
Google Earth, is it safe?
