Web Stuff and Whatnot

If you haven’t seen it yet, Google Maps is a very cool, and very useful application. You can search for any address and zero in on its exact location. It’s a very quick and easy way to get directions. However, you can now do even more. Just look for the “Satellite” link in the upper right hand corner of the page. Click that and you can now get your maps in color. Not just in color though, you can use nice satellite imagery to zoom in and really get a good look at where you’re going (or perhaps see who has a pool on your street). You can find my house in the picture below, although I’m sad to say it is not one located on the fairway…

As you can see, that’s some impressive technology. Other than just the neat pictures, the speed at which you can navigate the map is also very impressive. This technology is really going to open up new possibilities for Internet browser-based applications.

While the maps are fun to play around with, it does sort of leave you with a slightly uneasy feeling. Not that someone’s address is that hard to obtain, but the ability to get an overhead, color view of it is something new. I also have to wonder if it’s a good idea to have pictures of all the planes at Davis Monthan Airforce Base, located here in Tucson, AZ, available for viewing by anyone with an Internet connection. Here’s just a small picture from the base. It is nice to know we have so many planes handy though.

Of course, you can just as easily zoom in on the local airport. Again, the technology is very cool, but you have to wonder what doors we’re opening up with this kind of information available to anyone at any time. All of this is made possible by Keyhole, a technology company that Google acquired. Keyhole is even more exciting. It is a pay service, but priced very fairly for personal use. It will be very interesting to see where this technology leads us. How soon until we have real time video of major cities and urban areas? And sound? I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I can’t help but think of ideas from Brave New World or 1984. I guess we’ll have to stay tuned.