Google Strikes Again

Last week Google launched its StreetView and last night I decided to spend some time on it. For starters...it is latest from Google where they have photographed the streets and neighborhood
and it comes along with Google Map. I was wondering how much money they have spent on gas taking photographs of each street...but again if Google can't then who can?

So instead of looking at the satellite view (of buildings and all) now you can make it more lively and realistic...as if you are on the street itself. It gives you 360 degree view. This is not real time but recorded sometime (Google wont disclose..but must be fresh as I did see the Spiderman-3 Billboard). I did stroll at Broadway last night looking at those huge billboards, cabs , and people moving around. It is indeed a great feeling. It is there for select cities yet.. like NY, SF, Denver etc. wired.com is publishing pictures from users who can send the weirdest snapshots from street view ..see below.

snapshots from streetview

Dallas is not there yet.There are already talks whether Google has invaded privacy by doing so or not! So if you are in Dallas..be careful while you are out...you never know you may be caught in Google Camera!

Cheeni Kum ?

Yes....that's what Mr. Amitabh Bachhan must be feeling now a days while sipping his tea reading the morning news paper. But wait a minute....you know he can always say..that he was a Farmer indeed in the movie Saudagar (1973) ....used to sell "Gud", fighting day to day life in extreme poverty.Now wont that be perfectly ok to get some agricultural land from Govt. at a "subsidized price". Jokes apart...I still cant believe that he can do so....he must have been misled by his "political friends" that everything is legal and fare, and now when they are gone AB is simply becoming the scapegoat.

The Next Occupant of Rashtrapati Bhawan

It is just around 45 days left when the world's largest democracy is going to choose its head of state...in its 12th presidential election..but don't you find it is too surprising (rather shocking) that there is no
hype about it. Maybe I used a wrong word "hype"...but not even a single news item covering it like who are the fore-runners their profiles etc. Not only in rediff, but also in TOI, HT, AsianAge or Pioneer...I didn't see anything over last 1 week or so.

It is really shameful to get that info from Wikipedia (updated by persons like me and you).

It clearly shows how insignificant that post has become and how less interest media and people take in this election! I am sure even a bye-election in Jharkhand will get more importance.Certainly so far this post has been held by very highly regarded and intellectual persons of our time and I am not showing any disrespect to them.....but at the same time I think The Indian President should possess more power and not just act as a mere rubber stamp.

So based on that wikipedia link I know now Pres. Abdul Kalam is not seeking another election, while the Vice President Bhairon Singh Sekhawat (who is currently experiencing his 84th Summer of his life time), Pranob Mukherjee, Sushil Sinde, Arjun Singh and so many other past CMs, PMs and Governors are vying to get it!

One thing the list did not show though was Kaka Joginder Singh..alias "Dhartipakad". Is he still around? Maybe not.