Latecomer to Google Earth as GES Bandwagon

I always thought GE was super cool, but after the intial WOW factor wore off, I had pretty much just thought of it as an interesting toy. As a very experinced ArcGIS user, it seemed to me that whatever I could do in GE that was applicable to my job and our area of interest, I could do better in ArcGIS. After all, I had better imagery & topography (GE should really let you use your own topographic data source since they don't have it available for most areas).

Then I was tasked with creating a browse-able map for our sister law firm. They wanted to see the location of client properties in the Edwards Aquifer region, and determine, based on a variety of factors, if they would be a good canditate for conservation easment funding that is being provided to protect our water source. I could have done a traditional GIS analysis, but thier critera were rather fuzzy and changed across the region. They really wanted to see the properties and make thier own decisions. Well, I sure didn't want to install ArcReader, port the map over, & then train them to use ArcReader. So Google Earth seemed like the logical choice.

Our services coordinator was already creating a kml file with all our clients properties to aid in getting directions & determining travel times (which BTW GE is NOT really good at it rural areas). I used the KML_Home extension and exported the Edwards Aquifer Zones and all the counties in Texas with labels. Then I just combined the 3 items into a single folder in GE and emailed it to the attorneys. They were off and running with nearly zero training from me. They made thier decisions and had ownership & confidence in them. In fact one of the attorneys who is weeks away for having a baby, gave this gem of a quote:
Oh my God, Google Earth is so exciting I hope I don't go into labor after using this map.

If your interested here is the kmz of the Edwards Aquifer Regions and the Counties of Texas.