Google Maps Street View: How did they do that?

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER ON THE INTERNET. THANK YOU GOOGLE!

Kinda scary (not really). I was surprised when a co-worker one day said, "Hey Jeremy, look, its your house, theres your front yard, there's your wifes car...".

I walk over to his computer to find him taking a virtual strole down my street.

Our privacy and freedom are being eroded so slowly and gently that it feels like we are all being done a service. It is very scary and we should all start asking why we were not at least informed before our homes were put on display for the whole world to see. Why do we need this when we have sattelite navagation in our cars and plain old paper maps?
If it's not for navagation purposes it has no real use to the general public. It would of cost an offensive amount of money to create. Get used to this so the next step in controlling the 'free' people of our democratic nations will be easier to swallow.

This feature has the "wow" factor, but the benefits do not outweigh the costs -- both financial and and in terms of privacy. Anyone with an internet connection can practially see into my living room window now.

Love it....Good for you Google. It is nothing that more than anyone can see walking down these streets

Unless you got something to hide on your front lawn I don't see what the privacy issue is here. Anyone can jump in their own car and go check out any house on a public road.

Well done Google for taking the time and the effort. I'm impressed.

I hate it, I hate it

I agree, I was really angry when I saw my home up on the screen. you can clearly see my children playing on the front lawn. Soon they will be in our back gardens too.

you guys are fucking retarded, no one is interested in your pathetic suburban existence much less what kind of car you drive or your blurry children playing in the front lawn. your privacy is not being "eroded" because ANYONE can drive down your street and legally look at your house.

Way to go google! You have just shaved time off of the plans of terrorists, predators, and various other nefarious characters. Now there is no chance of catching these people by spotting suspicious people sitting in their cars with cameras and camcorders outside sensitive facilities, because now they don't need to be there either! Brilliant technology in the hands of idiots! Have fun counting your $$!

Google Great Job. The street View is Great i can see what is around an address like a landmark is makes it much easer to get were you are going. The comments about people complaining is all they have to do they need a life . they say google is invadeing there privacy. NOT. i could get my nikon and stand in front of there house and really get great graphics of every door and window. and even see them watching tv if i wanted to as long as i am on public property i can film any house, car, kids, and people watch en tv. ECT, Google this is only the first step. Next we will be able to ring your door bell in texas as i sit in my office in washington. Ring Ring answer the door clem.it's a google fan for ya.

Wow, I love this feature. I have been looking at listings for houses and can now see the house in question AND look around the neighborhood. Now I don't have to waste all that gas driving around the city. I can do it from my living room.

Way to go.

I agree with: Allison, Jad, GOOGLERULES, Anonymous:). Who gives a #### about your children, playing in the yard, they are not going to take cameras and taking shots at your backyard. THAT is when you have google has lost their mind. Besides, anybody can go in a car and look around, you can actually see more. All of the rest of yall need to get a life, and stop worrying about this feature. Why don't you e-mail me, if strangers are taking pictures of your house in your backyard, Gil. You're so stupid.

You guys forget about us poor guys from third world countries whose only chance to experience the idyllic suburban American life is Google's Street View! Google have made a big step for spreading the American Way of Life, by bringing images of your streets, cities and houses to our computer screens. I myself have had the chance to visit the United States several times so far but lots of my relatives have not and it is one thing to sit with them and tell them stories and show them the photos and videos and a completely different thing to have them take a virtual walk around the neighborhoods I visited. This is so much closer to real life than anything else we had before. I think you should think global and thank Google because now all my relatives want to have those horrid pink flamingos they saw at someone's house in Florida ;)

And a Happy New Year to all!

Ok, I will admit at first I was a little freaked out by seeing my house just as if I was standing in front of it...but then...WOW I can't keep away from it, searching for everyone I know. Something to remember is if YOU are SSSSOOOOOO IMPORTANT that terrorists and/or the government wants to watch you...THEY WILL JUST MOVE IN NEXT DOOR! Get a grip, wrangle the paranoia, knock the cob webs off your ears and lighten up, its a big world out there lets enjoy it!

It's really really cool now. But I mean I do think about the negitive sides of things like this...

I mean there IS a privicy issue here, but not yet.

With ever new techology there comes risks.

You can say I'm wacked out, but in the future internet connection speeds will be GREATLY increased, GREATLY.

What if it was a law that they put these on top of all the cop cars in america (for safety of corse *rolls eyes*) and has live videos...

THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM! The people opposed to it can only see the negitive side of it because they are educated people who know that this is a weird thing and could easily be taken advantage of.

Just be aware.

I freaked out too! What's the point of my working so hard to keep my privacy and then I find my home on the INTERNET!?!

Why Don't you all put your address on here now!!! I would love to se your home!

Barbara Yanitz here. If you were to give this invasion of privacy some thought, you would come to the same conclusion that the reasonable minds here have reached. There is no such "invasion".

The pictures are taken by a van with a camera pole thingy on the top while driving down a public street. Anyone can do this anytime with or without a camera.

It's nice seeing mansions and shacks and all things in between, of folks whose addresses I possess. I just wish they had my a "street viw" with my house on it! They don't. When are you taking pictures in my area?

It's really pathetic someone thinks their privacy is being invaded because of google street view. As if noone is passing by their house in person!!!! Haha, those that are utterly scared must be doing something wrong or suspicious so they're afraid they might finally get caught! Good job google! Hope you feature more captivating scenes like the Golden gate, chesapeake tunnel (claimed to be one of the longest tunnel) and other architectural landmarks so others will appreciate the view for those who hasn't seen them.

P.S. We don't really care what your house look like!!!! We just want more accurate navigation!

My Uncle showed us how to develop Black and white 35mm photos in a Homemade darkroom in a musty cellar laundry area when I was a young son - Something else to witness where all of this has come to be. He would be more amazed
than I were he to see what became of the Works.

i live at the end of a dead end street and you can see the car with all the equiptment on it turning around in my driveway, i thought it was funny

Nothing really to worry about here, alot of the maps are almost 2 yrs old. Now if they had live video at street level that would be a bit much, and a concern for privacy.

This is so cool! It took a picture of my house the day before my wedding 2 years ago! We can see the tent set up for the reception and all the decorations-awesome! Thank you

Amazing feature. I love google maps for interest sake and for navigation. All those people who think their privacy is in danger need to get over themselves, what is anyone going to do with info like: the length of your lawn 18 months ago or what colour your fence is. If someone wants to invade your privacy they will find means to access your info no matter what.

I am more concerned about the spelling and grammar of the posts here... Nobody will be able to see your house because they will never be able to spell your street name correctly. Ha ha!

THis is amazing! Anyone who hates it has something to hide. Now I can see hotel areas before I travel!