Google Earth

[gaijin178]

I came across this today and downloaded this program. It is amazing. Essentially they are photographs taken in the last 3 years from satalites of the entire world. http://earth.google.com/ It only works for windows now but it's really a cool program. I found my apt. rather quickly and since I travel a lot for work, I thought that it would be very handy. Then I thought, wow, the Man! Hehehehe, not really but I thought that it was interesting that all of these photos are being taken of us all the time and we don't even know it. The detail is pretty amazing as well. Is this an invasion of privacy or just a really cool program?

 

[Danhalen]

I'm downloading it now, done. It's probably just cool. I don't think that I am being spied on from space.

 

[Rogue Light]

...Pretty creepy stuff...

 

[Jetgirl]

I came across this today and downloaded this program. It is amazing. Essentially they are photographs taken in the last 3 years from satalites of the entire world. http://earth.google.com/ It only works for windows now but it's really a cool program. I found my apt. rather quickly and since I travel a lot for work, I thought that it would be very handy. Then I thought, wow, the Man! Hehehehe, not really but I thought that it was interesting that all of these photos are being taken of us all the time and we don't even know it. The detail is pretty amazing as well. Is this an invasion of privacy or just a really cool program?

I think it's cool myself.

My dad used to work for SAIC, and got to be part of this demonstration once where the speaker stopped in the middle of his (outdoor) speech, checked his watch, said "Ok everybody, look up and wave", and seconds later their image showed up on a screen where it was projected by a satellite that could be directed almost in real time. It was neat.

As for privacy, I used to do a lot of flying, and everything that a satellite can get a small plane or helicopter can get closer. Even with airspace restrictions you could get a good picture of the local millitary bases etc.. with some altitude and a zoom lens.

All I have to say is: if you live at the end of a runway DO NOT sunbath naked in your back yard. Blech. I got a little too much of that guy's privacy one too many times.

 

[butterfoot]

I played with that a little bit about a month ago and enjoyed it. It was kind of fun seeing familiar areas from up above. I don't think it would be good for spying on individuals.

-cw

 

[Blackmarch]

I came across this today and downloaded this program. It is amazing. Essentially they are photographs taken in the last 3 years from satalites of the entire world. http://earth.google.com/ It only works for windows now but it's really a cool program. I found my apt. rather quickly and since I travel a lot for work, I thought that it would be very handy. Then I thought, wow, the Man! Hehehehe, not really but I thought that it was interesting that all of these photos are being taken of us all the time and we don't even know it. The detail is pretty amazing as well. Is this an invasion of privacy or just a really cool program?

That is a real cool program.
Technically no it's not an invasion of privacy the picture has only what is outside the house. And something a photagrapher can do on a large mountain with a good camera (and other equipment) could produce something similar.

Once it can see inside the house, then it would be in invasion of privacy (guess that's where the line is drawn for me).