I assume everyone is running at least Wine version 1.0 or greater. Additionally, users using Compiz need to kill it. Compiz does not play nice with Google Earth. Although I was able to get Compiz started and working after Google Earth was started.
If you switch Google Earth to use DirectX instead of OpenGL, Compiz will run just fine. An issue with using DirectX is the Earth is not full size. I did not have that issue when running Google Earth 4.2, but fonts did not work correctly in 4.2 so I recommend 4.3 beta.
Start with a fresh wineprefix: $ winecfg
Before you exit winecfg go to the Graphics tab and check the windowed box and make resolution at least 1024 x 768.
Install allfonts using winetricks
$ winetricks allfonts
Download the latest beta of Google Earth $ wget http://dl.google.com/earth/client/branded/redirect/Google_Earth_CZXV.exe
Install Google Earth 4.3 beta $ wine Google_Earth_CZXV.exe
After installation finishes Google Earth will automatically start up. Make sure you have set winecfg to run in window mode 1024 x 768 prior to installation. The first time Google Earth is run it will make your screen go blank if not in window mode! If you have encountered the blank screen there are a couple of easy fixes.
Troubleshooting:
This method just kills Google Earth
hit CTRL + ALT + F1 and login with your userid and after login run top $ top
this will show all the processes running find Google Earth and press k and then type in the pid and hit y for yes. Then hit CTRL + ALT + F7 to get back to the graphical interface.
This method kills and restarts X
Another way to kill your user is to just hit CTRL + ALT + BACKSPACE which will reset X and bring you back to the login.
After the first run of Google Earth in windowed mode you can take it out of windowed mode. I don't know if others will incure the same black screen or not, but after the first run I was able to run it normally (not in windowed mode).
Close Google Earth and install Picasa.
Google Picasa Installation Instructions:
Download the latest beta of Google Earth $ wget http://dl.google.com/picasa/picasa3-setup.exe
Install Google Picasa 3 beta $ wine picasa3-setup.exe
