# Google Street View in Toronto - with a surprise! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 7, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939 "2009-10-07T14:55:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/21 "2009-10-08T18:15:16Z")
A googlemobile has even visited the main street of the town where I grew up. They had been out crusing the major county roads and happened upon the town of 400. [Here’s the post office](http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bonfield,+il&sll=43.878794,-78.946767&sspn=0.011012,0.017424&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bonfield,+Kankakee,+Illinois,+United+States&ll=41.146765,-88.056536&spn=0.023009,0.034847&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.146768,-88.056916&panoid=-49Sp7J0YfbVbM9NsggDqA&cbp=12,171.88,,0,5) and a couple blocks east of there is [where the town troublemakers once lived](http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bonfield,+il&sll=43.878794,-78.946767&sspn=0.011012,0.017424&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bonfield,+Kankakee,+Illinois,+United+States&ll=41.146798,-88.055935&spn=0.023009,0.034847&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.146797,-88.055826&panoid=I7fsr29ofSaGDJ9iLaC15w&cbp=12,36.88,,0,5). ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/22 "2009-10-08T19:14:34Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Weird thing about the view of those buildings is that [there is one shot from a completely different time of year](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=columbia+pike+%26&sll=38.850462,-77.05346&sspn=0.00569,0.013744&ie=UTF8&radius=0.37&rq=1&ev=p&hq=columbia+pike+&hnear=&ll=38.847872,-77.052945&spn=0,359.986256&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.847806,-77.052948&panoid=wVZ8fcZx7yepqZs5EmPr9Q&cbp=12,87.54,,0,5). Take one step in either direction for a “before” and “after” view. That happens as you travel along parts of Bloor St E in Toronto as well. From the looks of it, they did most of the major north-south streets in early spring, because the trees are bare and the pedestrians are all bundled up, and then they did the east-west routes a few months later when the trees were leafy and the pedestrians were in full summer wear. For some odd reason, though, when they stitched everything together they used the cold-weather images whenever there’s an intersection, regardless of which way you’re travelling… so there’s a strange rip in the time-space continuum every time you cross a north-south street. For a funnier example of this… when you travel north along Princess St in Toronto, a [hydro truck](http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=princess+st,+toronto+on&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=42.780056,78.837891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Princess+St,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario&ll=43.655655,-79.366286&spn=0,359.980752&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=43.651551,-79.367023&panoid=mqKmYPoP0vDUH3W-u_OaEQ&cbp=12,359.27,,0,12.02)magically morphs into a [water delivery truck](http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=princess+st,+toronto+on&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=42.780056,78.837891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Princess+St,+Toronto,+Toronto+Division,+Ontario&ll=43.651743,-79.367101&spn=0,359.980752&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=43.65164,-79.367059&panoid=9SKDXi0lAm49fOFvRYpxvA&cbp=12,359.27,,0,12.02). 🙂 Spoooooooooky. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/23 "2009-10-08T19:53:25Z")
Our street is up now, too. Looks like the photos were done late last fall or early this spring judging by the state of the grass and flowerbeds, and the presence of the rebuilt walkway steps I did last September but not the rest of the rebuilt walkway that I did this September. Our car’s in the driveway, which is unusual as we normally put it in the garage unless someone’s going out again very soon, and the neighbour boy’s car is parked in front of our place, which is NOT unusual. ---
**Author:** ![lexi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lexi/32/6806_2.png) [@lexi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lexi)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/24 "2009-10-08T21:33:52Z")
Anyone else getting significant humour value from the comments on the CBC article? [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/07/tech-internet-google-street-view-toronto.html](http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/07/tech-internet-google-street-view-toronto.html) Seems some people think that google is now spying on them live 24/7… :o ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/25 "2009-10-09T17:15:09Z")
> [@lexi](#): > > Anyone else getting significant humour value from the comments on the CBC article? > > [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/07/tech-internet-google-street-view-toronto.html](http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/07/tech-internet-google-street-view-toronto.html) > > Seems some people think that google is now spying on them live 24/7… :o > [@MrSeventy8 (from the linked site)](#): > > For the love of god people, come on, you’re totally missing the point here. There is a big big BIG difference between my info being on the net and a PICTURE OF MY HOME TO BE VIEWED BY ANYONE AT ANYTIME!!! You don’t need to know who i am to view this picture, you just have to stumble upon it while “cruising” down my street and if you happen to see something you like, you can zoom in! This makes me want to stand outside this guy’s house and yell “I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM RIGHT HERE!” ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/26 "2009-10-09T23:20:13Z")
I love reading the CBC news forums. And if you didn’t know, it’s all Harper’s fault. Except when it isn’t, because he’s a god (but a GOD-fearing one). Absolutely no one over there understands sarcasm, because every time someone makes a joke, someone then has to explain it and there are 400 thumbs down next to it. It’s always good for a laugh! ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/27 "2009-10-10T01:33:48Z")
> [@Mahna\_Mahna](#): > > That happens as you travel along parts of Bloor St E in Toronto as well. From the looks of it, they did most of the major north-south streets in early spring, because the trees are bare and the pedestrians are all bundled up, and then they did the east-west routes a few months later when the trees were leafy and the pedestrians were in full summer wear. Mind you, the way last winter hung on, those shots could have been within a couple of days of each other. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/28 "2009-10-12T17:56:38Z")
The “different times of year” stuff is a little jarring. I just went through my old Toronto neighbourhood, and noticed that the trees seem to alternate between bare winter branches and full summer leaves. Except for once or twice, when it looks like the photos were taken in springtime. Odd. Nice to see the old neighbourhood though. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/29 "2009-10-12T19:27:11Z")
Looking at the Lachine Canal from the Monk St bridge, you can see the dragon boats and some people at the docks on a lovely day in the month of May at the earliest. Actually “driving” along the roads and trying to see what teams are on the water, however, reveals photos from what is probably March or April; a cloudy day with brown grass and bare trees. Quite disappointing! I was hoping to see my team on the water! ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/30 "2009-10-13T00:07:08Z")
I found my dog! (I can’t show the pic because my partner would get creeped out by me displaying our house to everyone here), but it’s him! It’s him! He’s shaking his head and looking like a hound from _The Exorcist_ or something due to the motion blur. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/31 "2009-10-13T01:08:37Z")
The closest streetview image to the burning van has now been removed. Sucks that they didn’t do the Niagara Falls area. ---
**Author:** ![JimmyFlair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@JimmyFlair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimmyFlair)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/32 "2009-10-13T19:06:58Z")
> [@Eats\_Crayons](#): > > I found my dog! (I can’t show the pic because my partner would get creeped out by me displaying our house to everyone here), but it’s him! It’s him! He’s shaking his head and looking like a hound from _The Exorcist_ or something due to the motion blur. He may not even be shaking his head - apparently the face recognition feature is pretty random. I understand that there’s a few instances of horse’s face being blurred, but not all of the people around him! ---
**Author:** ![shorin-ryu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shorin-ryu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shorin-ryu)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/33 "2009-10-13T20:04:50Z")
My parents live on a dead-end dirt road in the country, and the Street View car drove right between them while they were walking their dog. They claim they never even noticed the car. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/34 "2009-10-13T20:53:35Z")
> [@Eats\_Crayons](#): > > I found my dog! (I can’t show the pic because my partner would get creeped out by me displaying our house to everyone here), but it’s him! It’s him! He’s shaking his head and looking like a hound from _The Exorcist_ or something due to the motion blur. A guy I commute to work with had the same experience. When you zoom in on his house, you can see his dog in the window, except the software didn’t blur the dog’s face. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939/35 "2009-10-13T23:58:03Z")
> [@JimmyFlair](#): > > He may not even be shaking his head - apparently the face recognition feature is pretty random. I understand that there’s a few instances of horse’s face being blurred, but not all of the people around him! It’s not blurred in the way the Google software blurs face, you can tell by his markings that he was shaking his head. You also have to really zoom in and know that there was an animal there because he is lying behind a opile of lumber from a deck that was being built. Even if his face was clear, I don’t think he’d be recognizable as “dog” unless you knew where we had his bed during the deck building. Yes, he had his dog bed on the lawn so he could relax while everyone else was working. Normal dogs would lie in the grass, but not this dainty brute. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-street-view-in-toronto-with-a-surprise/512939.md?page=1)