Geolocation

[seekermeister]

While going through the Opera's Preferences in I found a parameter that I hadn't noticed before...to enable/disable geolocation. Googling it, I found this article:

Geolocation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

After reading it, I'm left wondering if this is really of any use, except to provide others with more precise data about my computer...like built in spyware?

 

[Roderunner]

In Google search, I typed 'my ip' hit enter. Clicked thhis link What Is My IP Address? Lookup IP, Hide IP, Change IP, Trace IP and more... it did not give my real location.

 

[seekermeister]

Because Google didn't reveal more precise data, doesn necessarily mean that it isn't being sent to them. Even if this is for local use on a PC, what good would it really do?

 

[stve]

With it enabled & you search for Fish & Chips with Google it shows a local map with their locations.
Disable Geolocation & you get national results & no map.
In my case using a desktop PC my location according to Google is about 5 miles from my real address , if I was using a wifi connection it would be more accurate.
Opera: Geolocation | About location-aware browsing
Opera Desktop Team - Skin fixes, Unite, and then some

 

[stormy13]

Another big thing geolocation is used for is blocking or stopping people from using certain features on some sites. Something like this,



is what anyone without a US IP address gets when they try watch any videos at hulu.com. And no that setting in Opera doesn't allow it for those outside the US either.