Google Earth – Street View coverage.

[Alan SHARP]

To Currie.
Greetings Alan, from across the Tasman.

Your points are well founded and made. I was of two minds whether to post or not. Was it really within the primary scope of TS ? Then I decided what I do believe in is being informed, and being able to make an informed decision.

I believe, most of the posters on TS are, to a large degree, self taught, and not technically well versed in the medium which we are using. Unless better informed people bring out the issues, we would not be thinking about them, and then (being informed) putting in place what risk strategies we deem advisable, to meet our needs and the level of security we feel appropriate.

The ‘Big Brother’ issue of information gathering is ever present, and the issue was raised again on tonight’s Sunday, current affairs programme on TVOne. Our government has a committee looking into updating legislation that allows the granting of warrants for undercover surveillance. What the programme highlighted was the differing interpretation of the intent of the proposed legislation.

The Chairman of the committee gave a categorical assurance to the interviewer that the justifiable causes for a warrant being issued were not being broadened. The intent was to tidy up the processes, embrace all the existing acts of parliament that charged a body with a duty that included a possible need for surveillance, and acknowledge the latest methods of surveillance.

Then the interviewer, had discussions with the man in charge of drawing up the actual legislation, who was just as categorical, that the practical ramifications, would indeed broaden the scope, and set about giving examples. Examples that to me seemed quite bizarre, were also given by the invasion of privacy lobby.

Unfortunately it has now got to the stage, where we as researchers, could start up lengthy and meaning full discussions on a shared hobby interest, bliss fully unaware that the person we are in contact with, has a ‘dark side’ as far as the powers that be are concerned, and that warrants issued for surveillance of a named person “and associates” could see the privacy of our castle violated and our computer and storage devises removed, until due process has taken place. In a big case that would more likely be years rather than months. Hopefully common sense will prevail.

As stated previously, freedom comes at a price. Being informed about that price is the issue. Ignorance is no defence.

Regards,

Alan SHARP.

[Currie]

Hello Alan,

I think you made the right decision to post what you did. Without computers and the internet there would be no forum and we have to be aware of what’s happening. The unsecured network problem has been around for years.

Too many people just buy the item, take it home, plug it in, and turn it on, and if it works they don’t think or don’t care enough to be bothered with anything else. I don’t have a wireless network, mine is much less high-tech.

All the best,
Alan

[sheilajim]

Hi All

I love the Google Earth Street view. With it I have downloaded pictures of the house where my family was living when I was born in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. I was very surprised that the house was still there. It was an old house probably built around the turn of the 20th century. I believe that the area has been designated as having cultural significance. There are many Victorian houses in the neighborhood. I have also downloaded pictures of two of the schools that I went to and some places that are still the way that they were when I was a child. I have gone on virtual rides through old neighborhoods too.

It would really be a shame if some people abuse this wonderful tool, but isn't that always the way that things are. The very few ruining things for the rest of us.