Re: ShopTalk: Not Golf - Google Search Feature

[Burgess Howell]

Unfortunately for those who would prefer otherwise, these phone number 
databases are all over.  I have several in my standard searches bookmark 
list and I'm sure there are a lot more.  Some of them also provide the 
option of a map of the number owner's location.

For those databases that do not automatically provide this map link, it is 
trivial to take the name returned from the phone search and do a query in 
any number of other databases which will then map the location for you.

And for those who prefer to do it all themselves, they can always search 
for the number to get your name, then search your name to get your address, 
then use one of the myriad free mapping services to generate the map to get 
to your front doorstep.

Chasing these things is ultimately futile.  There is no final relief.

Burgess

At 08:50 PM 3/24/03, you wrote:
FYI

/Ed

> >
> > There is a new feature that makes it possible to
> > type a telephone number into
> > Google's search bar, click the search button, and
> > have a MapQuest page
> > returned as a result.  Any person wishing to
> > discover the physical location
> > of a phone number, be it a home or business address,
> > could use this feature
> > to locate a physical street address, and receive
> > explicit directions on how
> > to get there from anywhere in the country.
> >
> > One positive use of this feature could be to
> > determine the location of, say,
> > a party for whom you may only have a telephone
> > number.  On a negative note,
> > this feature could also be used by an angry party to
> > find out where you live.
> >
> >
> > Many people are unaware of this feature.  I
> > personally, don't want any "Tom,
> > Dick, or Harry" having a direct map (and the map IS
> > perfect) to my house just
> > by having my phone number.  Go to www.google.com
> > then type in your phone
> > number.  To see how accurate the map linked to your
> > phone number happens to
> > be.
> >
> > Google has made available an option that will allow
> > anyone to remove their
> > telephone number from the database that is linked to
> > the mapping feature.
> > You will first need to check if your number is
> > listed in this manner by
> > attempting a search - entering your full telephone
> > number separated by dashes
> > (e.g., 404-524-5811).
> >
> > If the number appears in the mapping database, an
> > icon resembling a telephone
> > will appear next to the first or second entry on the
> > results page.  Clicking
> > on this icon will take you to a page containing a
> > description of the service,
> > and a link to request your number be removed from
> > the database.
> >
>
>