Google Street View Hits Australia
Google Maps Australia: Street View
<http://maps.google.com.au/help/maps/streetview/>
You've probably heard or seen this new Google service. According to the
blurb on the site:
"Explore Australia at street level...
Use Street View to:
* Take virtual walks; pan, rotate and zoom
* Explore cityscapes, landmarks, points of interest
* Find shops, restaurants, parks, hotels and more"
I've taken a virtual walk down my street. Since the garbage bins are
out, the Google-mobile probably took the snaps on a Wednesday in summer.
I also had a look at my old neighbourhood, and things have changed quite
a bit in recent years.
Of course people have been using it for other purposes...
"Google snaps liars, cheaters, and slackers"
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/4645945a28.html>
"A day after its launch, Google's Australian Street View has already
uncovered a lying neighbour, sprung a cheating spouse and snapped a
man sleeping on the job, as armchair explorers pick apart the invasive
new mapping tool."
... which has angered some privacy groups:
"Web snooping has just gone streets ahead"
<http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/web-snooping-has-just-gone-streets-
ahead-20080809-3sou.html?page=-1>
"Google Street View told: keep off, private"
<http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/google-street-view-told-keep-
off-private/2008/08/07/1217702214157.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1>
The SMH site has a couple of interesting picture galleries:
* Australian Street View discoveries
<http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/2008/08/06/1217702097295.html>
* Street View favourites
<http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/2008/08/03/1217701857311.html>
There are also sites dedicated to collecting such pictures, e.g.:
The "Best Google Street View Sightings Site"
<http://streetviewgallery.corank.com/>
