See each roof from the universe

A unique website appeared on the global information network, allowing people for the first time the opportunity to see images, from world scale to their own home, through satellite images.

The image quality of this free satellite photo store is very high.

In the short term, the homepage of wikimapia.org allows us to view satellite images of the 100 largest cities in the world, including two Vietnamese cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Pictures of Vietnam, digital satellite images, via Google Maps Only with a keyboard, mouse and computer with moderate configuration for internet connection, for the first time, a normal person can see Hanoi city from the whole scene up close to each house, something a few years ago might have been classified as top secret.

What's interesting is the highly interactive nature of this unique software. Accordingly, viewers can participate in identifying works, editing addresses, moving and filling information about the history of a building, a road.

Seeing the image of Hanoi in the foreground saw a series of landmarks that Vietnamese people remember. From the road name and place of the office (such as Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology, Information Technology Institute) to the name of a block, the house. There is a place to write 'The House of Nguyen Huu Chi', 'The House of Truong Linh,' The House of Dieu Linh - Dieu Huong '.

There is room for recording '63 Chung House, small lane in my small town there '. There is a place to write 'ne Lang Lang! Why not go to Viet children '. There is a restroom 'toilet pub' (public toilet) right next to the foot of Chuong Duong bridge.

Double-edged sword

Prof. Dr. Tran Manh Tuan - Director of the Center for Coordinating the Application of Space Technology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) - in a seminar on space science for Hanoi students recently, said Remote sensing images like on Wikimapia are excellent visual education tools for people and young people to understand the value and meaning of the space industry.

At any rate, it also helps effectively for planners and builders, in addition to expanding the vision, expanding geographic knowledge and learning for the masses.

In the future, satellite map will be updated by Digital Globe Company (USA) with more places, more features and higher quality.

However, scientists warn, no matter how good the quality is, these are just reference photos and are of no legal value.

The Google Maps service provider itself also states that they are not responsible for the accuracy of the information on the map or images. In order to have commercial and legal images, the service provider clearly states that they need to visit another website and use other services such as the Google Maps API.

One of the evidence of their low reliability is that anyone can participate in editing and correcting information as mentioned above. The downside of this feature is the risk of turning a global digital map into a place to store a lot of junk information besides useful information.

To promote the positive side of technology, if only for strong individuals who exploit it, it is difficult to be effective.