The interactive and productive Web site I choose to write my blog about was Google Maps. I had never used this application nor did I know it existed until class on Wednesday when the Internet privacy group did their presentation on it.
The sites URL is http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Google maps is a very user friendly functional internet application. You access it through Googles main homepage, in the left hand corner there are different search options including, Web, Images, Maps, News, Shopping, Gmail and more. When you click on maps, it takes you to an image of the United States. Like many other Google web applications, Google Maps uses JavaScript extensively. As the user drags the map, the grid squares are downloaded from the server and inserted into the page
Instead of other applications used to get directions like MapQuest for example, Google Maps provides users with 360 degrees of real life images of locations they are planning on visiting. They were able to accomplish this my deploying Google cars to drive all around different parts of the world recording images to store onto the Web sites data base.
I think this site is a great demonstration in how far we have come technologically. For people like me who have no clue how to read a map, this application is very useful and accommodating. However, not everyone is happy about this new development.
The Government believes that Google Maps is like a welcome sign for terrorists. Enabling anyone, possibly terrorists, to see monumental buildings, airports, cities, or marinas for example, from a variety of different points of view, can help them in planning different strategies for an attack against the US. However, it is Google’s response that they are taking pictures of public property and technically I guess there is no law that tells them they can’t do this.
Other people that have a problem with this new site, are the innocent bystanders who just so happen to end up in the pictures that the Google cars take. This might not be such a big deal, unless you leaving your mistresses house, picking your nose, picking a weggy, falling down or doing any other type of embarrassing thing. Google’s response to this was that they would blur the faces of those who sent complaints.
All in all, I think this is a great new way people can benefit from the internet. The way I look at it is, if terrorists are going to attack, shutting down Google Maps is not going to stop whatever horrible plan they are stirring up. And if you get caught in a compromising position, changes are you will probably never even know it’s up there and if you do find out about it and that’s the worst thing going on in your life, consider yourself lucky. I looked up my address and it just so happens that my dad is outside mowing the lawn and my sister is rollerblading , neither one of them know this and even if they did I doubt they would care. The images are so blurry that if I didn’t know them I wouldn’t be able to tell it was them or even know what that person really looked like based on the photo.
According to Cowen & Co., Google Maps is the de facto leader in the space, while its rivals, Yahoo Maps, MapQuest, and Live Search Maps have slipped well behind Google. I’m pretty sure that means it’s here to stay.
Citation:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps October 16, 2008
2. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/09/29/analyst-google-maps-reigns-supreme/ October 16, 2008
4 comments:
I am glad that you enjoyed our presentation. I mean don't get me wrong, I like the idea of street view but it is interesting to think about how this simple program can cause so much controversy.
My actual first time using google maps was during one of the presentations in class this week. I was so bugged out that the camera shots were so precise and vivid. I entered in my own address and saw my moms car just parked outside our house n it was so creepy..it just bugged me out knowing that any person can access a camera-view of where you live...
I remember reading someone's blog prior to the group presentation on this website. I never commented on it because I tried to use the site and for some reason had difficulty. But now after the in depth group discussion about this site I've come back to chat!
I remain undecided in whether I think that Google Maps is beneficial or harmful to residents in all different areas. However, no matter how creepy it may be I still stay true to my comment in class that we, as 'normal citizens' (not celebrities) can't complain! We don't have paparazzi following us around all day, our privacy has been slightly compromised with this Google site, yet to keep my mind at ease I like to focus on the more positive aspects of the site.
The biggest one being the fact that I am absolutely horrible at directions and having a reference for what my surroundings (360 view) are supposed to look like when I reach my destination will really help me.
Google maps with the street view is a great asset. My block is on there and its amazing how accurate it is and how much control you have over it.
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