Mozilla Geode - scary stuff!

Mozilla Geode is this Firefox extension that works out where you are from the wi-fi access point that you're using! It is scarily accurate as well, it pinpointed my exact location, including street and where I am in the street :O

Apparently it uses some technology by a company called Skyhook. I guess they must have driven around the UK and mapped out wireless networks. I think it only works with wi-fi though :(

If you try it out, reply and say how accurate it was for you!

http://labs.mozilla.com/2008/10/introducing-geode/

It found where i was

omg lol

How exact was it? Bit scary, isn't it :P

EDIT: Sorry, double post. My internet is slow today :(

I donwloaded it but where's the bit it tyells you where you are. There is a google maps thing which is of America, and a thing came up asking for my location which is kind of cheating lol :S.

@N!ck: Normally it comes up with a little bar at the top of Firefox asking what location you want to provide it, how exact you want to be. I guess you may not be in the database so it is going to log your location if you give it to them.

Skyhook are the people who do the location thing for the iPod touch. They use the MAC address of the access point and pinpoint it's location.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timROGERS

How exact was it? Bit scary, isn't it :P

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How exact was it?

It was pointing above my arse!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timROGERS

@N!ck: Normally it comes up with a little bar at the top of Firefox asking what location you want to provide it, how exact you want to be. I guess you may not be in the database so it is going to log your location if you give it to them.

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Yes the bar came up asking for my location. If i provide them with my location then it's hardly a miracle if they then know it in future lol.

Urgh, I need to go re-enable my WiFi in the BIOS.

Urgh, I need to go re-enable my WiFi in the BIOS.

Um... it pinpointed my location... now it says I'm in the sea yeahhhh!

It gets it right for me and some other people. It definetly relies upon WiFi. According to Skyhook's FAQ they use vehicles to go around and log the MAC addresses with a GPS location as well. Then the extension looks up the MAC address of your gateway in the database.

Couldn't find me :] lol

Exact location, road and everything :D :P

Error getting your position.

wow.... not bad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timROGERS

It gets it right for me and some other people. It definetly relies upon WiFi. According to Skyhook's FAQ they use vehicles to go around and log the MAC addresses with a GPS location as well. Then the extension looks up the MAC address of your gateway in the database.

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I'm not using WiFi

Error getting your position.
Mind you, my road isnt even on the latest sat navs..

Got it working now. It reckons i'm about 4 miles north of where i actually am.