Conclusion

We have seen a variety of possible interactions between SQL Server 2008 and Virtual Earth. The main advantages I see in this combination are the abilities to:

• spatially analyze and aggregate the data where they are being held, i.e. in the database and
• extend the existing data in Virtual Earth with your own data

For more information:

• SQL Server Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/default.mspx
• SQL Server TechCenter: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/default.aspx
• SQL Server DevCenter: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/default.aspx
• SQL Server 2008 CTP: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/2008/prodinfo/download.mspx
• Safe FME: http://www.safe.com/products/fme
• Visual Studio 2008: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio
• ASP.NET AJAX: http://asp.net/ajax/
• Live Search Maps: http://maps.live.com
• Virtual Earth Interactive SDK: http://dev.live.com/virtualearth/sdk
• Virtual Earth MapCruncher: http://dev.live.com/virtualearth/mapcruncher/
• Virtual Earth Tile System: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb259689.aspx
• Virtual Earth Scale & Res.: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa940990.aspx
• Drawing on Virtual Earth: http://www.viavirtualearth.com/Wiki/Drawing-Tool+for+VE+v5.ashx
• Clustering Virtual Earth: http://www.viawindowslive.com/Articles/VirtualEarth/ClusteringPinsinVirtualEarth6.aspx
• Sign-Up for a free Virtual Earth Platform Developer Account: https://mappoint-css.live.com/MwsSignup/Eval.aspx
• Geographically Encoded Objects for RSS feeds: http://www.georss.org