Google Inc.'s effort to put 360-degree, street-level views of Asheville on the Web appears to be complete. The views of the city now appear on Google Street View, the California company's effort to provide computer users with up-close views of city streets and neighborhoods.
In April, Asheville residents noticed several small sedans zipping around town, each with a short pole and camera mounted to its top. The cars were traversing the city, recording the panoramic views now available online. A Google spokesperson told Xpress that the company, which already has views of other North Carolina cities such as Durham and Chapel Hill available, was moving into smaller regions.
Some people have complained that the effort by Google, which also offers Google Earth maps using satellite imagery, is an invasion of privacy. Google, which says it's trying to provide useful information to users, says it's sensitive to privacy concerns and sticks to public roads for the Street View mapping. There's also a procedure in place to allow people to request that specific views be taken down.
The Street View mapping isn't perfect. The maps don't cover 100 percent of city streets, and typing in an address won't always bring up the exact spot on the street. But overall, the effort offers users trying to navigate Asheville a powerful new tool. Google also allows users to embed its maps into Web sites.
Find the Asheville Street Map feature by going to http://maps.google.com and clicking on Asheville.
On the virtual road: Panoramic street-level views of Asheville are now available through Google’s Street View maps. To start your exploration, go to http://maps.google.com and click to Asheville.
In April, Asheville residents noticed several small sedans zipping around town, each with a short pole and camera mounted to its top. The cars were traversing the city, recording the panoramic views now available online. A Google spokesperson told Xpress that the company, which already has views of other North Carolina cities such as Durham and Chapel Hill available, was moving into smaller regions.
Some people have complained that the effort by Google, which also offers Google Earth maps using satellite imagery, is an invasion of privacy. Google, which says it's trying to provide useful information to users, says it's sensitive to privacy concerns and sticks to public roads for the Street View mapping. There's also a procedure in place to allow people to request that specific views be taken down.
The Street View mapping isn't perfect. The maps don't cover 100 percent of city streets, and typing in an address won't always bring up the exact spot on the street. But overall, the effort offers users trying to navigate Asheville a powerful new tool. Google also allows users to embed its maps into Web sites.
Find the Asheville Street Map feature by going to http://maps.google.com and clicking on Asheville.
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so the uk should be next after googles done mapping all the local regions of the USA?
By anonymous
12/17/2008
Back in April I happened to see a google car drive past me on my way to work... and so i was anxiously awaiting the updates. Lo-and-behold... here I am!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode;=&q=sulphur+springs+rd+and+mcdade+st+asheville,+nc&sll=35.575765,-82.610364&sspn=0.007854,0.019226&ie=UTF8&ll=35.576515,-82.610385&spn=0.007854,0.019226&t=h&z=16&g=sulphur+springs+rd+and+mcdade+st+asheville,+nc&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=35.57568,-82.610397&panoid=CUSeyPSTlNugLeSPGvKeSQ&cbp=12,180,,0,5
I think that this is a great thing! It helps tourists get their bearings so they don't get lost as easily... can research landmarks ahead of time, etc. It is also great for showing friends and family members who are not able to visit what our neighborhood looks like.
By mikeporcenaluk
12/19/2008
I was searching around some other places... and found my car again! They drove past while I was working at Iris Photographics on Merrimon, thats my red and black volvo 240 in the parking lot!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode;=&q=660+merrimon+ave,+asheville&sll=35.588539,-82.569809&sspn=0.007852,0.019226&g=169+Riverview+Dr,+Asheville,+NC+28806&ie=UTF8&ll=35.621163,-82.555132&spn=0.007849,0.019226&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=35.621168,-82.555232&panoid=syv2YdJ7tyrCRuTmlzAYMw&cbp=12,355.6698608626956,,0,5
By mikeporcenaluk
12/19/2008
And again while I was working at Blue Barnhouse... I'm pretty sure thats my car in the far back corner.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode;=&q=428+Haywood+Rd,+Asheville,+NC+28806&sll=35.621163,-82.555132&sspn=0.007849,0.019226&g=660+merrimon+ave,+asheville&ie=UTF8&ll=35.577431,-82.580436&spn=0.001963,0.004807&t=h&z=18&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=35.577526,-82.580433&panoid=CTveavwyryIarBH86Q1DaQ&cbp=12,257.05388640163056,,0,5
By mikeporcenaluk
12/19/2008