3 ms·

Seems a little pricey. I'm not sure what dimensions would be visible from space (if that image is any indication, you need about 20x20 feet?). How much would it

Seems a little pricey. I'm not sure what dimensions would be visible from space (if that image is any indication, you need about 20x20 feet?). How much would it actually cost to print a weather-proof banner that size (and it doesn't have to all be on one sheet) - my guess a lot less than $8,500 + $200 "support" fee (whatever that is).

brador 15y ago
Isn't it just a bit of waterproof paint and a domain redirection? $500?
- mirkules 15y ago
  I was thinking a vinyl banner, to have it easily interchangeable -- plus painting it yourself could be prone to error.
Semiapies 15y ago
You'd need a fairly large ad to be visible in satellite imagery. I suspect this service or anything like it would be a better bet in the higher-resolution areas where Google uses aerial imagery.
- shabble 15y ago
  It's hard to find any concrete details on the resolutions used by GE, and it varies massively by area. I recall their recent investment in one of the (GeoEye?) satellites had a theoretical resolution of 40cm, but is restricted by US regulations to provide a maximum (edit: minimum) pixel size of either 50 or 60cm. Assuming 1m x 1m pixels, a standard[1] QR code could be fitted inside a 25x25m square. You'd probably want to increase pixel size, and maybe use a smaller version (along with a url shortener, if necessary) to increase the chances of a successful decode. Aircraft orthoimaging can work at much higher resolutions. An article from 2005[2] shows pictures capable of distinguishing individual faces. I can only assume things have since improved. [1] of which there are many: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/QR_code https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/QR_code [2] http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2005/09/ultimate_google.html http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2005/09/ultimate_goo...
inshane 15y ago
Painting is much easier for rooftop ads than vinyl. Difficulty installing anchor hardware without puncturing the roof surface, high winds, etc make it much easier and cheaper to use paint. The rooftop ads my company does are typically 50,000 square feet or more so using vinyl sheets that size (it usually comes printed in strips 6-10 ft wide) is impractical. I'm not sure how large these QR codes are but based on prices I've seen for rooftop ads in the past $8,500 is not surprising when you consider cost of paint, labor, and a reasonable profit margin.

brador 15y ago

Isn't it just a bit of waterproof paint and a domain redirection? $500?

mirkules 15y ago
I was thinking a vinyl banner, to have it easily interchangeable -- plus painting it yourself could be prone to error.

Semiapies 15y ago

You'd need a fairly large ad to be visible in satellite imagery. I suspect this service or anything like it would be a better bet in the higher-resolution areas where Google uses aerial imagery.

shabble 15y ago
It's hard to find any concrete details on the resolutions used by GE, and it varies massively by area. I recall their recent investment in one of the (GeoEye?) satellites had a theoretical resolution of 40cm, but is restricted by US regulations to provide a maximum (edit: minimum) pixel size of either 50 or 60cm. Assuming 1m x 1m pixels, a standard[1] QR code could be fitted inside a 25x25m square. You'd probably want to increase pixel size, and maybe use a smaller version (along with a url shortener, if necessary) to increase the chances of a successful decode. Aircraft orthoimaging can work at much higher resolutions. An article from 2005[2] shows pictures capable of distinguishing individual faces. I can only assume things have since improved. [1] of which there are many: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/QR_code https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/QR_code [2] http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2005/09/ultimate_google.html http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2005/09/ultimate_goo...

inshane 15y ago

Painting is much easier for rooftop ads than vinyl. Difficulty installing anchor hardware without puncturing the roof surface, high winds, etc make it much easier and cheaper to use paint. The rooftop ads my company does are typically 50,000 square feet or more so using vinyl sheets that size (it usually comes printed in strips 6-10 ft wide) is impractical. I'm not sure how large these QR codes are but based on prices I've seen for rooftop ads in the past $8,500 is not surprising when you consider cost of paint, labor, and a reasonable profit margin.