Google Street View

Post by **wangi** » 04 Jul 2008, 14:44

... Coming soon to the UK? And Edinburgh / Portobello too by the look of it.

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

Just saw a Google-branded car with lots of cameras mounted on the roof on Bath St.

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol ... 263569.ece

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 04 Jul 2008, 15:19

IS that what was mounted on top of that car?

I thought it was some kind of mobile radar. it's been parked around there for a week or so.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 04 Jul 2008, 16:17

Been wondering about that car.
Noticed it seemed to have cameras on the top but couldn't figure out why.
Lucky it didnt fall down the hole thats appearing at the top of Bath St.
That would have been an interesting view!

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 04 Jul 2008, 17:46

Another local mystery solved!

At work as well as at home, I really like the bird's-eye views on http://maps.live.com. For a start, they are a lot more up to date than the aerial views on either site.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 04 Jul 2008, 20:39

thanks for the info, we also were wondering about that car.

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 04 Jul 2008, 22:38

Poppy wrote:Another local mystery solved!

At work as well as at home, I really like the bird's-eye views on http://maps.live.com. For a start, they are a lot more up to date than the aerial views on either site.

I've been on that site too and was able to visit my old home in Coillesdene!!

Was even able to see what the back garden looks like now!!!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Jul 2008, 11:11

went on to the link . I could see our washing hanging out!

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 05 Jul 2008, 13:46

Ah, thanks for that explanation Wangi. Like all the other posters I was wondering about that car.

Can't say I'm very impressed with street view. I had a look at it before we went to New York earlier this year just to get an idea of what the area round our hotel was like, but it really does not help much at all.

Isn't there some sort or legal wrangle going on about violation of personal privacy by Google on Streetview e.g showing people entering and exiting buildings etc.?

What a daft time to choose to map Edinburgh (if that is where the car is working) with all the road closures etc.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 05 Jul 2008, 20:20

I really worry about the privacy issue. I'm not usually not the type that's sensitive to this sort of thing but I can see companies paying for visual data on potential employees, business partners etc. What is shown free to the general public may only be the surface info that's available?

Its big brother, with a fascination level for the many that are just happy to see their gardens on the web. Google (and others) are getting away with this type of CCTV, if the government tried it there would be an outcry. Much better to let a user friendly "fun" company do the spadework and then let the bidders bid for the detailed data.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 05 Jul 2008, 21:54

Porty wrote:I really worry about the privacy issue.

I can see where you are coming from, though personally myself its not something that concerns me.

As part of my job I monitor a number of seperate CCTV systems around the city and this is kinda reflected in my views.

I dont have an issue as I know that im not doing anything wrong and yeah it may show me going in or out of a building but then people in the street would see that anyway. I have nothing to hide therefore nothing to fear...not that im saying all the objectors have something to hide.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 06 Jul 2008, 12:13

There's cameras all around Edinburgh broadcasting on the web
see http://www.camvista.com/scotland/edinburgh/index.php3.
Scroll down , there's even one in a bar

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 Jul 2008, 13:12

michael_traill wrote:
Porty wrote:I really worry about the privacy issue.
I can see where you are coming from, though personally myself its not something that concerns me.

I'm not surprised, it'll probably take you a few years to catch on.

I think its a genuine concern. Take soupdragon for example; she is quite pleased about being able to see her washing ,on the line, on google maps. However, there are at least 2 parties that may be interested in purchasing that data; Direct Line, who insure her buildings and contents and Scotmid, her local store.

One day Direct Line get a claim from soupd, her washing has been stolen off the line. She has quite a big excess so she decides that rather than claim for the normal wash; cowboy suit, nurses uniform, karate outfit and the kids stuff. She decides to embellish her loss and claims for 2 harringtons, a college jumper, two pairs of sta press and a pair of skid proof knickers (which never worked but why mention it?).

Direct line are all set to pay out but their auditors, who select 1 in 20 claims for closer examination in order to prevent fraud, decide to purchase googles data to see if the claim matches the usual gear on her washing line.She is caught red handed. And even although it was an inside job in the first place she is still really embarrassed. Edit I added 2 smileys, I'm only joshing michael.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 06 Jul 2008, 13:59

Rats. Caught out again!

Interesting points you raised Porty.

I'm sure the real criminals are not at all bothered by cctv.
In my experience they're useless at being able to identify those accused of a crime ( ie when Clanger 4 was skelped and when neds tried to break in at my MILs )

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 Jul 2008, 15:08

Scotmid would blow up the image of your washing and identify an opportunity.

One day when that bespectacled "manager" bloke had ensured than the queue at the only operating checkout was at its max, would call round to your house and suggest that you choose a washing powder from their extensive selection. And just a few days later, when the stock came in, you would be another statistic on their sales ledger.

( I must confess I have no idea if you even have Buildings and Contents insurance)

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 Jul 2008, 16:18

On a more serious note. I don't know what level of detail google go into but the data could be useful for the council.

That bloke who painted his house in bath street and subsequently had to undo it, could have been spotted from a council employees' desktop. You alter your windows in a conservation area and they don't conform. You say they were like that when you moved in and hey presto you get caught out. Same could apply to shop signage and any number if other things. The council could employ people to maximise revenue from each street.

Google are not doing this for a fascination factor, they must know there is a market for the information they are collecting.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 06 Jul 2008, 16:19

I do have buildings and contents insurance ( so you dont need to sell me any ) Be foolish not to.
I never shop in Scotmid if I can help it.
I only use non bio powders but from now on the skid proof knickers will be tumble dried. Wonder if I could sue googlemaps for the increase in my electric bill.

Of course there's other ways of spying on us.
Supermarket loyalty cards track buying habits and target offers to entice brand change
Credit/debit cards that know when and where we bought what
Cookies used by web servers
Viacom have won a court case forcing google to hand over details of youtube use
etc etc

Do tinfoil hats really deflect them from spying on us.? I'm away for a jumbo roll of bacofoil

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 Jul 2008, 19:09

I know all about those store loyalty cards. And I goi in bother cos of them. Concerned about my habits falling into the hands of burglars I was buying the odd tin of pedigree chum to fool them into thinking I had a dog. A year or so went by and I had amassed 4 tins. Next thing there's a knock on the door , its the RSPa who think ive been starving it!

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 06 Jul 2008, 19:49

Porty wrote:
michael_traill wrote:
Porty wrote:I really worry about the privacy issue.
I can see where you are coming from, though personally myself its not something that concerns me.
I'm not surprised, it'll probably take you a few years to catch on.

Ahh, I do love it when someone throws a cheap insult....lol

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 06 Jul 2008, 20:22

SoupDragon wrote:I'm sure the real criminals are not at all bothered by cctv.
In my experience they're useless at being able to identify those accused of a crime ( ie when Clanger 4 was skelped and when neds tried to break in at my MILs )

I wish that was true. From my perspective, bearing I mind I only monitor a small number of Council owned CCTV, I am never away from Court!

Im always getting called up to verify that the CCTV was downloaded in the proper manner etc etc; or having to go up as a witness as ive noticed something happening on CCTV and had to phone the Police.

And the Council (in regards to the systems I deal with) follow the law when it comes to having to give proper notification when people are entering a CCTV covered area so all these people surely know..lol

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 06 Jul 2008, 22:09

Porty wrote:( I must confess I have no idea if you even have Buildings and Contents insurance)

I would guess, most people have.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 07 Jul 2008, 09:57

There are a few sites that specialise in images captured from Streetview; man urinating in the street, woman entering HIV clinic, man leaving porn shop, woman sunbathing topless etc. You can argue that they did all these things in public, but let's face it we might all take a chance at times, for example, catching a few rays thinking the worst that might happen is your neighbour might spot you, but you not the whole world! *

I believe that Google has now agreed to obscure your face on Streetview if you request it (though that might not be all the man peeing in the street wants obscured

).

* At this point I wish to assure Peter Bradley that he's quite safe - I never sunbathe

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 09 Jul 2008, 10:09

Here's an even weirder possible use of satellite images Porty.

Rabbit Ripper Shocks Germany

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 09 Jul 2008, 14:23

Christ and I thought I had imagination!! I can see this german rabbit slaughtering phenomenon catching on. Maybe even turn it in to a chase and capture TV show................

Stray NO.666 · Post by **Stray NO.666** » 09 Jul 2008, 19:42

wangi wrote:... Coming soon to the UK? And Edinburgh / Portobello too by the look of it.

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

Just saw a Google-branded car with lots of cameras mounted on the roof on Bath St.

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol ... 263569.ece

Its been round great cannon bank outside my house for an hour now.....im not sure i want to leave the front door

was wondering what it was!

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 17 Sep 2008, 21:16

Turns out google staff dont like being caught on filming catching the public on film....according to the Evening News anyways.

Evening News, Tuesday 16 September 2008

Post by **wangi** » 21 Mar 2013, 14:03

Google Streetview images recently updated - Portobello ones are now from July 2012. Search around and see any other wee scallys!

http://goo.gl/maps/47jbc

Makaveli · Post by **Makaveli** » 21 Mar 2013, 14:12

Gutted that they have done it on a day where I hadn't strimmed the front hedge and both my neighbours had!!!

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

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