If Google is so all seeing and all knowing, someone please explain to me why we haven't put it to work to locate bin Laden, who should be fairly easy to spot at 6'3"+, dragging a dialysis machine, recording equipment, and many wives? We'd be better off calling on the wizard of Oz.

Every technology can be used for purposes of good or evil depending on who is controlling its use. This is the whole slippery slope argument. Somehow we have to find a way to live in harmony with technological advances rather than prohibit them entirely because we fear how they may one day be used.

Sheryl

"Just ignore your rights and they'll go away"
Unknown to me

Opinions for and against. Weak arguments IMO. Yes you could see the same thing from the street. If the entire world was going to walk down my street, I'd move.


http://www.informationweek.com/blog/..._street_v.html

paula

Ok- after reading a bit on the blog link - I see it's a new thing Google added to their maps.
So I did some investigating.
{ Remember too that blogs are only the opinions of people who may or may not understand what they are commenting on.}

What I found out-
Right now it is only in a few large cities.
you can see where on this link- take the tour or click on the street view to see what cities.
http://maps.google.com/maps

It uses still photos- not live streaming video.

With the photo street view you can do a complete 360* view - just like they use for the virtual home tours on the homes for sale websites.

I tried 5 times to read a lic plate but the photos would have to be taken at just the right angle of view for it to work that way.

It's interesting - but ....

I should add that I am sure the gov satellites can take much clearer pictures but those are limited for gov uses. Those would be from space- so overhead or at a slight angle at best.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11...scanner_pilot/

wow!
those must not have made it into use - most of the links go back to 2002/2003/2004 articles - probably post 9/11 paranoia.

Google maps are adding a street view, where you can see closeup photos of places taken by people onsite, not by a satellite. It's not a top down view; it's a view from down here, at street level and you can even see people in their homes if they're by a window. It is only in a few cities now.

http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/

http://maps.google.com/support/bin/a...6#street_views

http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/7834812.html