In Google's perpetual march to catalog the world's information, they've been making headway in cataloging neighborhood images on their Street View service.  For those who haven't heard, Street View is a perspective in Google's online map service.  But, rather than serving up just a top-view from, say, a Thomas guide-type perspective, or the zoom-able view of a satellite image, Google has enlisted armies of specially configured cars. 

(Courtesy:  Xeni Jardin, BoingBoing)

(Courtesy: Xeni Jardin, BoingBoing)

These little vehicles drive around local neighborhoods cataloging street-level images.  Not all areas are yet up on Street View, but they're making headway.   Just a few months ago, for example, I was somewhat bummed that I couldn't see my neighborhood in Street View.  Then, a bit of Orwelian foreboding gripped me when I found my house on Google Street View just last week.  I knew it was fairly recent because my wife's car, which we had purchased in the last year, was sitting nice and pretty in the driveway.

Despite that creepy big brother feeling, the net of it is that I can feel the geek in me whispering "cool." 

Just from the real estate listing perspective, for example, it empowers consumers to call up street level images and see what's in/around the neighborhood.  These images are above and beyond those which the listing agent would otherwise choose.  And, while there could be value for agents, as well, in terms of enabling them to highlight key neighborhood features like views of local parks, trails, lakes, ocean views, and so on, it can be a double-edged sword.  

Here, for example, is a listing described this way, "...An amazing location! Sweeping views of the lake... the beach - the yacht club - as your front yard..." 

And while I don't doubt that interpretation is technically true, it also highlights the challenges faced by the listing agent.  When you "spin" the image around by dragging your mouse horizontally across the image, you can't help but sympathize with the agent about what to do with that pesky railroad track that also graces the front yard.