I am sure Google Earth will be among the first few things you will want to install on your Ubuntu machine. The installer which you get online is not a regular installer which Ubuntu default installation will be happy with. You can’t just double-click to install it.That’s why I thought of providing the steps to install Google Earth on your Ubuntu or any other linux machine for that matter. Steps are as follows:
- Download Google Earth to your desktop.
- Go to Applications > Accessories > Terminal.
- Type in cd ~/Desktop
- Type in sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin
- Follow the on screen prompts to complete the installation.
- You will see Google Earth icon on your desktop after the installation is complete.
- At the same time it will also give you an option to launch it for the first time after the installation is complete.
- Google Earth should have been installed in the default location “/usr/local/Google/Google-earth“.
- That’s it. Enjoy the cool Google Earth features.
TIP: By the way, you might have already guessed the trick. To install any software on Ubuntu with a *.bin extension you can do the same to install it. Just browse to the directory, at the terminal type sh *.bin. Your software should be installed properly.
Keep reading Technomania for more tips and tricks on Ubuntu, Linux and Open source community updates. You can subscribe to the feed or receive email as and when I update anything on this blog.
Cheers…
Anurag Bansal
Posted by ibes on August 10, 2008 at 2:12 PM
THANK YOU! Finally some directions for someone who is brand new to Linux but desperately wants to learn… windows is EVIL! Linux is a miracle.
Posted by mr. moch on August 25, 2008 at 7:05 PM
I agree!!!! This is EXTREMELY helpful….I tried making it a .tar.gz, and even an executable, and it didn’t work! Thanks for the info! I still use Windows, but very rarely.
Posted by Carl on August 31, 2008 at 3:01 AM
Worked perfectly!
I cut the commands from the instructions and pasted them in the Terminal session to make sure I don’t mistype.
Posted by Anurag Bansal on August 31, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Thanks for the comments guys.
I am happy that this small tip is working for everyone.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
BTW, this blog has been merged with http://www.knowliz.com
Posted by Superbo on September 3, 2008 at 5:12 AM
Thank you so much! Very helpful. Love, love, love Ubuntu! Have moved from Windows and Mac. Will only use them if I have to. Once again, thanks!
Posted by Julio on September 28, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Hi thanks a lot; I looked all over the place trying to find a good explanation. Im sure from now on it will be easy for me to install bin files.
However, I got a small problem. When I try running google earth it crashes.
My graphics card is not so good. It is a sis650 and it does not allow me to use visual effects, do you think that would be the problem.
Do you think it you could give me a little help?
Posted by Anurag Bansal on September 30, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Ya, it might be because of Graphics card. Latest application require more out from the graphics card. I suggest to have at least 256MB card.
Definitely it will be time for you to look for change.
Thanks for dropping by.
If you like this blog article, then you might like my other blog as well which contains lots of articles on Technology, Check it out @ http://www.knowliz.com
Cheers
Anurag Bansal
Posted by 20 Things to do after installing Ubuntu « Technology , Fun and Spirit on November 17, 2008 at 1:10 AM
[...] Google Earth: You don’t need any detail for it. Go and install Google earth as mentioned in this post. [...]
Posted by 20 Things to do after installing Ubuntu Linux | Irascible Musings on November 17, 2008 at 1:10 AM
[...] Google Earth: You don’t need any detail for it. Go and install Google earth as mentioned in this post. [...]
Posted by hehe on November 17, 2008 at 11:53 AM
8 points to install a .bin file
thanks. nice blog
Posted by 20 Cosas que hacer despues de instalar Linux Ubuntu | -=[EdadFutura]=- v.6.0 - [beta] on November 17, 2008 at 4:08 PM
[...] Google Earth: instalar Google earth. [...]
Posted by LINUX - Recopilación de programas indispensables una vex instalado Ubuntu, para tener todo cubierto | Zaragoceando.com on November 23, 2008 at 10:24 AM
[...] Google Earth: instalar Google earth. [...]
Posted by Nate on November 26, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Thanks, man. No other tutorials on installing .bin seemed to work — guess they were all set up for other distros?
Posted by Ya tengo Ubuntu, ¿Y ahora qué? | Entre machacas y becarios on November 27, 2008 at 10:51 AM
[...] Google Earth: instalar Google earth. [...]
Posted by moytrix on December 6, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Thanks from Mexico!!!
Linux is great!
Im a new user!
glad to be it
THANKS FOR THIS! i didnt know how to install
thanks!
Posted by salviDADDY on December 22, 2008 at 9:52 PM
hi,
is there any way to install flashplayer, or something like it, and google earth to an instinct phone?
please help…….. thanx!!
Posted by Carlos Gonzalez on January 18, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Hello everyone,
I’ve installed google earth by doing:
sudo sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin.
installed perfectly in /opt/google-earth/ but, it runs well if if I run carlos@mylaptop/opt/google-earth$/sudo googleearth then root password. If I run it with my regular account, it opens google earth but, no planet on it nor places or layers but you have menu, tabs… basically is google earth empty.
Any Ideas?
Carlos
Posted by Svedski on February 2, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Thanks for explanation. I first tried but failed due to I copied and got a . after bin.
But then after installing on Ubuntu 8.04 the screen crashed, but the reason was you need Nvidia proprietary drivers to have support for the 3D in Google Earth !!
Posted by Tink on July 26, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Brilliant advise. In future I will remember to leave off the . at the end of bin
Now all works well using Ubuntu 9.04 on an Acer Travelmate 3212
Thanks
Posted by OldBitByter on February 2, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I followed instructions and install seemed to go correctly. But, when I run installed Google Earth, I get splash, then tip window in front of another window, then after about 1 sec, the two windows close out.
I am running Asus Rampage mb with Intel quad 4 processor, 6 gig ram, and nvidia geforce 280 video.
Posted by OldBitByter on February 2, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Oh, I should probably mention os is Ubuntu 8.04. Also, I ended up with utility in Synaptic Package Manager that supposedly makes it possible to build package of Google Earth, but no explanation. I’ve installed 4.3 successfully but was really trying to get the newer version so I removed it. I’m pretty confused at this point.
Posted by Victor on February 4, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I have followed allthe instructions for the installation of Google Earth and,it looks like it has done ok but, when I try to start it initializes and stops. Can you help on with some hint?
Thanks a lot
Posted by Anurag Bansal on February 4, 2009 at 12:44 PM
You may check by disabling the appearance setting to low graphics and then try it.
Hopefully it should work.
Thanks
Posted by Mysticyx on February 5, 2009 at 6:19 AM
Same as victor. No time to change the graphics, ’cause it quits right after startup.
Posted by Damian on February 5, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Same problem here. I’ve moved to Ubuntu on my desktop and laptop. I’m having the same problem on both machines. Start, splash screen, tips, then everything closes.
Posted by Carlos Gonzalez on February 7, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Damian,
I had the same problem.
do this:
~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old
then do this:
~/google-earth$ ln -s /usr/lib/libcrypto.so libcrypto.so.0.9.8
Voila…
Carlos
Posted by Josh on February 8, 2009 at 4:30 PM
I just installed linux and when I try and load google earth I get this error in the Terminal
./setup.sh: 284: setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk2: not found
./setup.sh: 299: setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk: not found
The setup program seems to have failed on amd64
Fatal error, installer failed to run at all!
any thoughts?
Posted by Jason on February 15, 2009 at 8:41 PM
I installed Google Earth as above as above, when I try to run the program an initializing screen comes up and nothing else! Google Earth did work on the MS Vista before I installed Ubuntu about 2 or 3 weeks ago.
The computer is an off the shelf (from Walmart) Dell Inspiron 530.
Posted by sally on February 21, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I just installed google earth on ubuntu and all seemed to go smoothly.. Now I get a small google picture, but no writing and can go no further. Desktop says :
Warning: Unable to create prefs directory ‘/home/sally/.googleearth’. File exists.
Can you help please? Thanks
Posted by ankit on February 22, 2009 at 4:27 AM
i have installed google earth..from above instructions and it runs so smoothly…
thanks
Posted by OldBitByter on March 5, 2009 at 1:15 AM
I tried the install above, noted a couple of “suspect lines”.
loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option
loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option
Installing mimetypes…
Installing desktop menu entries…
Installing desktop icon…
Warning: Unable to create prefs directory ‘/root/.googleearth’. File exists.
./googleearth-bin: relocation error: /usr/lib/i686/cmov/libssl.so.0.9.8: symbol BIO_test_flags, version OPENSSL_0.9.8 not defined in file libcrypto.so.0.9.8 with link time reference
And when I tried second suggestion:
root@mike-desktop:~/Desktop# ~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old
bash: /home/mike/google-earth$: No such file or directory
This leads me to believe I am missing something in the install.
Posted by Mihai on March 5, 2009 at 5:59 AM
Carlos Gonzalez Says:
February 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Damian,
I had the same problem.
do this:
~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old
then do this:
~/google-earth$ ln -s /usr/lib/libcrypto.so libcrypto.so.0.9.8
Voila…
Carlos
It works, Thank you
Posted by smith on March 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Thank you Mihai
I had the same problem and your commands worked perfectly!
Posted by philip on March 13, 2009 at 6:45 AM
Can someone tell me what I’m doing wrong?
I downloaded GoogleEarth to the Desktop,typed in the first steps and below is the result.
p@p-desktop:~$ cd ~/Desktop
p@p-desktop:~/Desktop$ sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin
sh: Can’t open GoogleEarthLinux.bin
p@p-desktop:~/Desktop$
Posted by Carson on March 14, 2009 at 1:33 PM
There is a simple way to resolve the problem:
1 Put the router (or modem) OFF
2 Open Google Earth
3 Go to “TOOLS”
4 “OPTIONS”
5″GENERAL”
6 Undo “SHOW STARTUP TIPS”
7 OK
8 Close the program
9 Put the router on
10 Open Google Earth… and have a nice tour..!!
Posted by stevesdigi on March 16, 2009 at 11:43 PM
March 5, 2009 at 5:59 am
Carlos Gonzalez Says:
February 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Damian,
I had the same problem.
do this:
~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old
then do this:
~/google-earth$ ln -s /usr/lib/libcrypto.so libcrypto.so.0.9.8
Voila…
Carlos
—————————————–
Thanks Carlos, followed your directions and now it works! You’re the bomb dude, thanks!
-Steve
Posted by Yogesh on March 17, 2009 at 9:33 PM
So many thanks for giving such valuable way.
Posted by Zlox on March 19, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I have done all the steps, but program crashes after displayng welcome splash image and the first screen with tips and the space…
1. How to uninstall(if it is possible)
2. Will the older version work better (I have downloaded 5.0 beta)?
Posted by Carlos Gonzalez on March 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Zlox,
look at my post up here, #25 this will help you.
Carlos
Posted by Loki on March 20, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Thanks Carlos! Works perfectly now
Posted by Zlox on March 26, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Thanx!
I did it my way. I downloaded OLDER version, installed it, I suppose on correct location, and then, it miraculously worked! Both versions…
Old one starts from terminal, and new, from menu.
I think older version have made correct changes to libraries.
IMPORTANT!
Do it on your OWN risk. I will take no responsibility if something goes wrong.
Sincerely, Zlox
Posted by Drew on March 30, 2009 at 2:26 AM
Thank you! I’d been trying to figure this out forever.
New to linux, and thanks to you, simple installation. Thank you!
Posted by Paresh on April 6, 2009 at 9:59 PM
thanks for simple and effective instructions. I am a linux newbie and this is so simple…
Posted by Art on April 8, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Ubuntu , stinks!! Windows, stinks!!!!,Mac,stinks!!! Can you make something user-TRUE-friendly.
I can not install Brother mfc-240c,earth.google.com,
People there is 21st century.Where is your logic, writing comand like Atari.I give you idea, make it like LEGO , or like pins in electronics elements male-fimale, same way how you installing hardware on motherbord.
Posted by Reisa on April 12, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Carson — great tip – worked like a charm. The simplest solutions are always the best.
Posted by mickey12gauge on April 23, 2009 at 7:43 PM
When starting Google Earth it abruptly closes…
Uncompressing Google Earth for GNU/Linux 5.0.11337.1968……………………………………………………..
loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option
loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option
loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option
Installing mimetypes…
Installing desktop menu entries…
Installing desktop icon…
./googleearth-bin: relocation error: /usr/lib/i686/cmov/libssl.so.0.9.8: symbol BIO_test_flags, version OPENSSL_0.9.8 not defined in file libcrypto.so.0.9.8 with link time reference
Posted by Christopher on April 27, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Thank you for posting this = )
Posted by sarwiz on May 20, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Got it installed ok, thanks for the help on that, but it will only run out of the install window, and not from the terminal. Starts up , but doesn’t load any maps. Fairly new ubuntu 9.04 user, and on a new hp G60 laptop. (.04 is the only one that would even install here. Help?
Posted by maarten on May 22, 2009 at 2:04 PM
When I type in the terminal cd~/desktop I get the response bash: cd~/desktop no such file or directory
how do I progress from here?
Posted by Anurag Bansal on May 22, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Are you sure there is a space between cd and ~/Desktop.
May be that’s the reason, it shows the above error.
Check out and let me know.
Thanks
Anurag Bansal
Posted by maarten on May 24, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Hi Anurag,
Thanks, that was the issue. well actually I tried with and without the space but it was the capital letter on ‘D’ of desktop. didn’t reaslise it was this sensitive.
However I run into the next snag: sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin. it rsponds sh: Can’t open GoogleEarthLinux.bin.
Now I see a similar entry above but the responses below don’t resolve this helas…
Thanks again, this is my first week in Ubuntu. I like what I see but need to find my way about a bit..
Maarten (currently in Muscat Oman)
Posted by Julio on June 1, 2009 at 5:41 PM
thanks so much.
installed and running.
Posted by Toni on July 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM
All goes well, but when I try to start it from the terminal I get error:
./googleearth-bin: error while loading shared libraries: libGL.so.1: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
If I try to start it by clicking on the desktop, nothing happenes at all. SUSE 11.1, 64 bit
Any Ideas?
Posted by Ed Frey on July 3, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I have tried to install GE 5-6 times now and am getting nowhere. Can any one help me? Here is what I got on my latest attempt, I did not reach Step #5.
edlfrey@ubuntu:~$ cd ~/Desktop
edlfrey@ubuntu:~/Desktop$ sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin
Verifying archive integrity… All good.
Uncompressing Google Earth for GNU/Linux 5.0.11733.9347……………………………………………………..
Gtk-Message: Failed to load module “canberra-gtk-module”: /usr/lib/gtk-2.0/modules/libcanberra-gtk-module.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option
/usr/lib/gio/modules/libgiogconf.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
Failed to load module: /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgiogconf.so
/usr/lib/gio/modules/libgvfsdbus.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
Failed to load module: /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgvfsdbus.so
/usr/lib/gio/modules/libgioremote-volume-monitor.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
Failed to load module: /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgioremote-volume-monitor.so
loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option
Posted by ekdulon on July 24, 2009 at 4:48 AM
here is the video tutorial to downloading, installing and start Google Earth in Ubuntu
Posted by ekdulon on July 24, 2009 at 4:49 AM
here is the video tutorial to downloading, installing and start Google Earth in Ubuntu
http://revver.com/video/1802240/how-to-install-google-earth-in-linux/
Posted by Kyle on August 12, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Cant install the Binary on the x64 version of Umbuntu, now what?
Posted by Kyle on August 12, 2009 at 3:19 PM
This is the error I get, any ideas?! I have tried the video link, no help.
kyle@Dell ~/Desktop $ ./GoogleEarthLinux.bin
Verifying archive integrity… All good.
Uncompressing Google Earth for GNU/Linux 5.0.11733.9347……………………………………………………..
setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk2: error while loading shared libraries: libxml2.so.2: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk: error while loading shared libraries: libSM.so.6: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
The setup program seems to have failed on amd64
Fatal error, installer failed to run at all!
Posted by partagas on August 24, 2009 at 6:51 AM
Installed GEarth in Ubuntu 9.04. Run for the first time and shut it off. When I tried to run it again….surprise! no icon in the desktop and the program does not show anywhere in applications. Intalled GEarth second time and same thing.
The program is in /home/diaz/Google-Earth but I don’t know how to start it from there. Can you help?
P.S. As you can easily guess, I am a newcomer in linux after being a Dos and windows user for many years ….Everything is new for me
Thank you
Posted by ekdulon on August 29, 2009 at 4:27 AM
“The program is in /home/diaz/Google-Earth but I don’t know how to start it from there. Can you help?”
Start Terminal and go to /home/diaz/Google-Earth.Find the file googleearth and start it with
./googleearth
This works for me.I am with Ubuntu 8.10-intrepid
Posted by Anurag Bansal on October 16, 2009 at 9:21 AM
You can just create a launcher for it on your Desktop.
For that, just right click on your desktop -> Create Launcher and provide the path as you mentioned above.
Hopefully it will be easy for you to use Google Earth.
Welcome to Ubuntu world.
Cheers
Posted by 20 Things to do after installing Ubuntu Linux | Knowliz on October 25, 2009 at 9:15 AM
[...] Google Earth: You don’t need any detail for it. Go and install Google earth as mentioned in this post. [...]
Posted by 25 Must Have Ubuntu Linux Applications | Knowliz on October 28, 2009 at 2:12 PM
[...] Google Earth: You know you can install Google Earth on Ubuntu also. Download the installer file from Google and install it. Though all the installation instruction are mentioned in there for Linux, yet if you find any problem, you can refer to this article on Technomania to find the instructions for Ubuntu.. [...]
Posted by jemiro on October 28, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Thx so much!! it so help me!! doble thumb 4 u ^^,
Posted by 20 articles to read before and after installing Ubuntu | Knowliz on October 30, 2009 at 12:34 PM
[...] How to install Google Earth on Ubuntu/Linux? [...]
Posted by noname on November 10, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Just wanted to say thanks for the great instruction.