1. A system for preparing a panoramic image for presentation including: a first computer and a second computer in communication using a network, said first computer configured to acquire a digitized annular representation that includes information digitized from an annular representation of a panorama; a transformation mechanism configured to geometrically transform a portion of said digitized annular representation into a digitized planar representation of said portion; an image formatting mechanism configured to prepare said digitized planar representation of said portion transformed by the transformation mechanism for presentation; and a presentation mechanism at said second computer configured to display said digitized planar representation prepared by the image formatting mechanism.