Google Streetviews

[Idea15]

Two Google Street View cars just did a round up and down my street. Each car had a camera three feet high with six lenses strapped to the top, and the Google logos on the car doors. I must admit, it was a bit like something out of a sci-fi movie - "You will be assimilated and photographed and uploaded!"

On the plus side, this will help those of us who are trying to work for some changes in our neighbourhood - I created a community web site and now I can link directly to current photographs of what the problems are in a way the Council can't press-release away.

On the negative side, I was photographed in my Monday morning glory hanging out my bedsheets on the line - not how one would prefer to be preserved for posterity!

 

[TomB]

Wow, i'll keep my eye's open for them.

i think Googel street views is so useful, i often get lost and having a picture of the place I'm going will be fabulous.

I'll keep my eyes open for you and your sheets, i just hope you've ben using daz and they are nice and white

T

 

[PC]

I was photographed in my Monday morning glory

Is it just me or has it suddenly gone very warm in here?

 

[TomB]

Is it just me or has it suddenly gone very warm in here?

ha ha how rude!!

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

It's an interesting idea Streetview but it kind of leaves me thinking where it all ends. I understand the information commissioner in the UK had some concerns over how this would be used but eventually was satisfied it wouldn't be breaking any privacy laws etc.

It does feel however that Google is trying to take over. They also launched Google Knol a few weeks back which is a direct attack on Wikipedia. They are also about to launch a mobile platform called Android over the next few months.

Where does it all end!!!

 

[Mark]

I have to agree that Knol is a direct attack on Wikipedia, however it does have a slightly different angle on its approach as there can be multiple articles on a particular subject rather than a single definition or description for an entry.

Android is actually going to be an open-source software stack (linux/java) for mobile phones which is being developed in collaboration with over 30 other companies. Nokia won't be affected in any great deal because they now own and develop their own smartphone operating system for the 120 million units they churn out every quarter. If anything, Android will level the playing field of other manufacturers and hopefully benefit consumers long term.

anyway back on topic..

I've used streetview for contacts in America a couple of times and it is pretty useful. Satellite maps, although useful, don't allow you to notice things like the stop sign outside the building which makes finding a location so much easier.

Also, if you get featured in a photo you can request google to blur you out or if even then still infringes on privacy, you can request the photo to be removed.