I've just stumbled across a new Google Maps feature called Street View. It's available for several major cities in the US. Google had cars equipped with panoramic cameras drive up and down the streets of those cities, and synced the images with the maps. It's possible to "travel" along a city street and see a 360 degree view. For example, if you go here (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5900+N+Glenwood+Ave,+Chicago,+IL+60660,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title) and click on Street View and then click on the green arrow in the center of the map, if you pan around you'll see where I went to high school in Chicago. Then you can click on the arrows by the street names and go down the street, stopping and panning wherever you want. It's really cool--give it a try.

That's pretty cool! Wish it was a global! :cool:

That's pretty cool! Wish it was a global! :cool:

Note that when you click on Street View, all of the streets with images available become outlined in blue, and clicking anywhere within those outlines will bring up a navigable image.

Cool, too bad I've never lived anywhere big enough to warrant a "drive-by" view.

There's some information about the cameras used here (http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9724604-7.html).

http://elsmar.com/jpg/streetviewcameralh3.png

Cool, I want one!

I followed one of their cars to work a few weeks ago, still waiting for it to be posted.

Google maps has a new feature called traffic. It gives real-time traffic conditions for 60 of the largest cities in the US. I hope they don't run out of red ink for the Los Angeles perennial gridlock....:mad:road rage

That's pretty cool! I wish they had that everywhere! I'm surprised that Detroit doesn't have it. They really need it :D

I followed one of their cars to work a few weeks ago, still waiting for it to be posted.I was in front of my house, when they came, last week. Curious to know how long it takes for them to add the street view to Google Maps.

There are a few folks who aren't happy about the level of detail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1031861/Big-Brother-The-Google-cars-photograph-EVERY-door-Britain.html).

According to Wikipedia Google_Street_View, the Salt Lake City area was added in February 2008. Judging by the image from in front of my house, the car drove by in early November 2007 - no snow on the ground and there's a scarecrow decoration in the front yard.

(It also was a Tuesday, the garbage truck is across the street)

There are a few folks who aren't happy about the level of detail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1031861/Big-Brother-The-Google-cars-photograph-EVERY-door-Britain.html).

My wife pointed out to me that we should have swept our driveway...:D

Very interesting and entertaining.

Stijloor.

They've gone down the main street a block from my home, but have not yet entered our little enclave of 140 homes (nor any of the side streets in our town.) My mom's house (on a side street in Chicago) is "pictured," but the only thing visible is her front stair, the rest is obscured by a big leafy maple tree.

My mom's house (on a side street in Chicago) is "pictured," but the only thing visible is her front stair, the rest is obscured by a big leafy maple tree.

Sounds familiar. My house:

http://elsmar.com/jpg/screenshotli4-1.jpg

It appears that this was done last summer sometime, and it was six months or so before it was available online. They've done the whole city as far as I can see, except for a few side streets.

This is a little off topic, but photos of space are at:
http://www.google.com/sky/

This is a very nice feature. I have used it when getting maps for work seminars, to look at the location of a class, or a hotel. By the way I have also found some for Detroit, in Southfield in particular.

Yes, it's nice in a business setting.

Not so great when you find your home posted on the WWW for anyone to look at, without so much as asking your permission. I bet the crooks are just rubbing their hands with glee - they can do their homework very easily.

Not happy. They did it to us here in Australia, and many not happy at all. Including me. :nope:

Tried asking for it to be removed 10 days ago. Still waiting... (and it's very, very hard to find out how to ask to get it removed, too!):frust:

Yes, it's nice in a business setting.

Not so great when you find your home posted on the WWW for anyone to look at, without so much as asking your permission. I bet the crooks are just rubbing their hands with glee - they can do their homework very easily.

Not happy. They did it to us here in Australia, and many not happy at all. Including me. :nope:

Tried asking for it to be removed 10 days ago. Still waiting... (and it's very, very hard to find out how to ask to get it removed, too!):frust:

Jane,

I understand your concern. My wife is encouraging me to keep the house and yard clean and neat because "you never know when the google picture guys come around." :D Not a whole lot you can do I am afraid.

Stijloor.

Has the street view feature been disabled? I don't see it anymore at Google Maps? I googled to see if there was any information, but I don't find anything...

Has the street view feature been disabled? I don't see it anymore at Google Maps? I googled to see if there was any information, but I don't find anything...

Nope. Still works here. :(

And absolutely no attention has been paid at all to my request to remove my home address. Colour me very annoyed. :mad: