That inconspicuous seating area in your room,
where you're plonked facing your computer is all set to virtually
transform into being your window to the world, as Google's popular
service, Street View now brings numerous world wonders to the
convenience of one's computer screen.
Users will now have the opportunity to see the many world wonders
they’ve always wanted to but have been restricted either by the lack of
time or sufficient money - by just taking their pick either by choosing
locations or by browsing through themes.
As is with their Street View
technology, Google will allow users to virtually navigate through lanes
in and around the several world heritage sites. Users can begin with
picking their location - Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and
South America, and/or choosing themes of their choice, which may include
- Archaeological sites, Architecture, Cities & Towns, Historic
sites, Monuments and Memorials, Palaces & Castles, Parks &
Gardens, Places of Worship, Regions & Landscapes and Wonders of
Nature.
The World Wonders Project
Through their World Wonders Project, Google ,along partners - UNESCO,
the World Monuments Fund and Cyark, the World Wonders Project aim to
preserve the world heritage sites for future generations. In addition to
bringing you virtually close to the world heritage site of your choice,
the project bundles it along with some really useful information about
the location that the user is currently viewing, while also sufficiently
backing it by photographs and videos. The photographs section for every
location also features user images, in addition to including other
featured images, while the videos section in every location features
user videos. Needless to add, the ability to view heritage sites, right
there in the comforts of one's computer will prove to be indispensable
for both students and teachers, alike, helping them conduct a more rich
teaching experience.
Google's Street View services have been among its most controversial
ones, and it faced stiff resistance from several major nations,
worldwide, including India. That, however isn't deterring the service
from being popular and widely used. The service found new admirers in
Japan, who once refused to let the service in the country, when Google
introduced their Person Finder tool when disaster struck the country.
The Street View cars then navigated through the ravaged streets of Japan
and five months later returned with scores of digital images depicting
the extent of the damage caused, and how bravely the locals tried to
bring normalcy to their lives.