great question!

i've also been giving this some thought, and the really interesting difference between the real world and the virtual world is that you can have unlimited virtual versions (though there is some corners of the scientific community that support unlimited real versions, but only in theory today).

simply put, like all other MS web properties these days, you may have one that you access for free (http://www.virtualearth.com) and subsidized with ads all over the place (trust that MS is going to put even more compelling ads into the virtual earth - how about blimps in the sky, videos, branded real estate, etc). on the other hand, if you choose to pay for the application, all ads may be removed.

i'm waiting for MS to unleash the full set of APIs to virtual earth to see how the creative 9 million-strong developer network chooses to implement their own applications on top of it. today it strikes me as too clean, quiet, devoid of weather, lacking a commerce engine...no philosophy or religion...on the other hand, perhaps there are some things we shouldn't bring to the virtual realm!

moving along this trend, why not create "imaginary" parallel virtual earths for business, government or entertainment use...people will be able to own their own virtual earth and pepper it with google ads, just like your banner!

the opportunities are really only limited by imagination...but your question is entirely relevant. we have an opportunity to create a digital version of the earth to allow a whole new class of applications and social interaction. have we learned from our historical mistakes in the real world and how will that knowledge transfer into the coming virtual world?

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