According to the <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk" target="new">The Register</a>, Microsoft's online mapping site Virtual Earth blanks out the not-so-secret airbase <a href="http://virtualearth.msn.com/default.aspx?ss=Alamo%20Nevada|apple&cp=37.299101|-115.802183&style=h&lvl=10&v=1" target="new">Area 51</a>. An attempt to view it with Google Maps, however, produces this <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Alamo+Nevada&ll=37.232925,-115.799160&spn=0.058298,0.117743&t=h&hl=en" target="new">crystal clear image</a>.

Does Microsoft know something that we shouldn't? I always wondered who built those flying saucer flight simulators they're supposed to have there.

Tellingly, MS also blanks out arch-rivals Apple's HQ from their map of <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/25/msn_earth_deletes_aple/" target="new">Cupertino, CA</a>.