Google Streetview

• Guest 651

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 5,673
  24 March 2009     17:0618068
  #1      
  So what is all the fuss about with Streetview - people are lobbying that they can indentify themselves on the website and others complaining about National Security being put at risk by being able to see police stations and barracks on there
  
  Is it just me or can't we all just walk down a street and see people or buildings. Or look at Flickr or Picasa and see photos !!
  
  I think I might sue the postman for looking at my house when he delivers
  Been nice knowing you :)
• Guest 640

  • Registered: 21 Apr 2007
  • Posts: 7,819
  24 March 2009     17:5218072
  #2      
  Paul I would be the first to admit that I know nothing at all about this new Streetview thing or even what its for, but have heard about it via the old traditional Radio4. It was discussed the other morning and a great many people seem to be upset with it. It seems it can be something of a criminals charter, a burglars delight, a massive invasion of privacy, you can even view kids in backgardens and so on...so they said on R4 anyway. I myself havent seen it but one must ask...why?? whats it for??
  
  Google must have spent a considerable and probably mind-boggling fortune on it. There must be a cash return somewhere in it but I dont know.
  email: dover7@msn.com
• Guest 651

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 5,673
  24 March 2009     18:2518075
  #3      
  You should look, it is great that you can see roads and streets before you visit them to orientate yourself. They have done major roads in several cities and they are done by a camera on top of a car that drives around all over the place.
  
  You say about gardens and kids, but these are something you can see anyway, and they are already available on things like Google Earth and Local Live for ages and no-one bats an eyelid !!
  Been nice knowing you :)
• Guest 679

  • Registered: 7 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 162
  24 March 2009     19:1418080
  #4      
  I spent Thursday & Friday in London and it was great for map routing. I'm not a terrible map reader but seeing actual photographs of roads makes it an awful lot lot easier than fighting the old paper versions.
  
  I didn't really blame the fella that was caught leaving a sex shop for moaning They rightfully deleted it off google street view but the photograph was then splashed all over the newspapers the next day....where is the sense in that?! The amount of people that saw it on Streetview would have been a fraction of those who saw him in the paper!!
  
  Scotchie is right, we see all these sights with our own eyes every day, we quite merrily walked the road leading up to 10 Downing Street the other day but the whole street has been blocked from the site....it's not even Downing Street!!
  
  I really don't see how google street view can be classed as a security risk but I can be a little niave at times so maybe it's just me.....and Scotchie!
  I know a million ways to always pick the wrong thing to say
• Rick Jones

  • Location: Dover
  24 March 2009     22:0918093
  #5      
  This whole argument is VERY interesting. I think that the reasons it has ignited such fierce resistance offers a very telling insight into our current social state-of-mind. Let's just look at a few facts:
  
  1. We have CCTV everywhere these days. Many people are fed up with it and don't like it. It's possible we see Google Streetview as an unwelcome extension of our CCTV-controlled environments.
  
  2. We live in a rather dubious "database state" where our privacy has become something of a joke. The government holds so many databases on us (when they're not losing them on trains or getting their laptops nicked), not to mention TV licencing, DVLA, banks, NHS, etc etc etc. It could be seen as the very streets we live in are now getting stuffed onto databases which could make people feel somehow overpowered.
  
  3. We live in an era where threat assessment levels are higher than normal thanks to Islamic terrorism, and these Google images can give an unsettling impression that terrorists (and indeed other criminals) can use the "virtual spaces" to plan various attacks. Whether there is any factual truth in this is debatable but it can at least cause that impression.
  
  I remember there was a flutter of suspicion when Google's satellite images zoomed in so close that we could all visit Google Earth and see the roofs of our homes. We seem to have adjusted to this quite well, but then again what harm is there in seeing your roof? Streetview is perhaps too close for comfort, mingling among us in our everyday lives in a way that goes far beyond CCTV. Google's 3D camera has been received as an invasion.
  
  Privacy International have made an official complaint and want the service closed down.
  Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7959362.stm
  
  My own thinking is that it's a great idea but it has been poorly introduced to an unsuspecting public. It's probably a bit ahead of its time and plagued with infancy teething problems but I'll bet this concept will be a grower!
• Bern

  • Location: Dover
  25 March 2009     10:1918124
  #6      
  And now Facebook etc are to be "closely monitored". I don't use facebook or any of the other sites like that (don't see the point when I can talk to someone!) but am nevertheless worried about this latest development.
• Brian Dixon

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 23,940
  25 March 2009     16:0618149
  #7      
  and 60,000 workers from the hotel and retail outlets are being trained as terror watchers,how paranoid is that.along with all the other stuff thats going on makes you feel paranoid dosent.
• Guest 640

  • Registered: 21 Apr 2007
  • Posts: 7,819
  25 March 2009     18:1618169
  #8      
  I heard a report recently and it was before even the latest 'advances' mentioned above that we are the most watched society on earth here in the UK. We have more cameras per head than anywhere else. You cannot drive to Tesco without your car being photographed several times. They know when you went, when you came back. They spy on you from outer space...if thats sounding paranoid can you blame me. I can see about 7 or 8 cameras from my own windows without going anywhere. Its like the stalags.
  
  Once upon a time we were all worried about reds under the beds...Im not sure who's under the bed now as the reds are no longer with us!
  email: dover7@msn.com
  • Tesco
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  25 March 2009     20:2018185
  #9      
  it is getting very disconcerting.
  
  if there is a serious incident, then all the stops are pulled out, computer enhancement of images etc.
  
  cctv is useless for stopping low level crime and anti social bahaviour, just look at our town centre early on a saturday
  or sunday morning!!
  
  blood, vomit, broken bottles, syringes, the lot.
  
  all this is filmed, so why does it go on?
  
  
  
  the government are now intent on monitoring all of our phone calls e mails and internet sites.
  the official opposition are making few noises about it.
  
  we are slowly being shafted.
• Brian Dixon

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 23,940
  25 March 2009     20:3218189
  #10      
  howard,when arent we.
• Bern

  • Location: Dover
  25 March 2009     21:1118194
  #11      
  Apart from the obvious objections regarding himan rights and civil liberties, what does it all achieve? if there was evidence of an improvement in our quality of life as a result we might (might...) be less alarmed, but with no evidence at all and no observable benefits, we can only assume it is simply an exercise in control.
• Guest 651

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 5,673
  25 March 2009     21:1318196
  #12      
  Doesn't bother me - I've nothing to hide
  Been nice knowing you :)
• Brian Dixon

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 23,940
  26 March 2009     08:1418235
  #13      
  paul,maybe not but thats not the point.
• Guest 645

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 4,463
  26 March 2009     09:2818250
  #14      
  Brian
  
  These are your postings on this thread.
  
  1. and 60,000 workers from the hotel and retail outlets are being trained as terror watchers,how paranoid is that.along with all the other stuff thats going on makes you feel paranoid dosent.
  
  2. howard,when arent we.
  
  3. paul,maybe not but thats not the point.
  
  None of which explain your views on the subject.What exactly is the point that you are trying to make in regard to google streetview.Are you for or against and what are your reasons?
  
  I am for it,streetview already exists but under different names or guises ie CCTV's,Police cameras,store cameras etc.And if you get snapped coming out of a brothel then more fool you for not being more careful.Its here and its here to stay whether we like it or not.We might as well use it and enjoy it..right Soho here I come.....
  Marek
  I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
• Bern

  • Location: Dover
  26 March 2009     10:1918253
  #15      
  I'm right behind you with my telephoto lens Marek - take care!!!!
• Guest 645

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 4,463
  26 March 2009     10:2718255
  #16      
  I have just re-read my postings on here,the political thread and open page..I think I'm having a bit of a PaulB day !! Apologies if I've upset anyone (except that git MEP Hannan)
  
  Actually I'm against CCTV google et al but it's here and there's bugger all my whingeing can do about it.
  
  Time for a real douwe coffee and a lie down in a dark room.
  Marek
  I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
• Brian Dixon

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 23,940
  26 March 2009     10:4418257
  #17      
  marek, my point is that the goverment mi5/6 and other goverment bodys are getting paranoid,ok i know i keep banging on about it but it does seem that this and previous goverments seem to want to control everything and anything.whats happend to our rights of privacy etc,cant walk /drive any where without being spyed on,e-mails,texts,mobile/landlines monerterd,evan what to cheak facebook/bebo sites.what ever next,having a kgb/gestarpo type minder holding our hands and reporting to there bosses on what we as joe public have done during day/night.need i go on.
• Guest 640

  • Registered: 21 Apr 2007
  • Posts: 7,819
  26 March 2009     11:5618263
  #18      
  Marek is right there Brian...and says it very well (post 14). Thats the point Ive been trying to make to you. We learn nothing about what your thinking with your one liners , so if we dont know what you are saying or what your position is then it doesnt contribute to the debate.
  
  Its very hard to make a substantial point with one line. Although I notice youve been upping the content lately and thats good. 4 meaty posts are always better than 14 one liners. The simple reason behind this is that it helps the other posters know what you are trying to say...and then they can respond.
  
  Was good to see you the other night...now yer starring on our frontpage!
  email: dover7@msn.com
• Brian Dixon

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 23,940
  26 March 2009     14:4918283
  #19      
  paul,thanks it was nice meeting you and the gang again such a good night .sometimes it gets hard to express what ive got to say without getting angry thats why some are one liners.