Eyeballing Osama Bin Laden's compound on Google Earth/Google Maps

On Google Earth, you can view the Abottabad "mansion" where Osama Bin Laden lived and died. Ogle Earth has more. And map link here. Oddly, Casa Abbottabad isn't getting very positive reviews.

Boing Boing editor/partner and tech culture journalist Xeni Jardin hosts and produces Boing Boing's in-flight TV channel on Virgin America airlines (#10 on the dial), and writes about living with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011. @xeni on Twitter. email: xeni@boingboing.net.

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TurinTom

I guess Osama didnt read his iPhone contract. IDIOT!
amida

I love that there is a Red Onion in Abbottabad. Check the reviews.
Anonymous

I haven’t seen one correct Google Maps reference or screenshot. None look like the supplied CIA aerial shot or artist’s illustration. Not even the NYT, not HuffPO, not here on BB. The pic here is clearly wrong — but at least it’s the most popular wrong.
- PlaneShaper
  
  It isn’t wrong, it’s just Google Maps is old.
  
  Here, this will help provide context:
  http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/Graphics%20for%20background%20briefing.pdf
headfoo

For rent: 1 country mansion. Amenities include satellite phone and internet, fresh towels, professional videographer and personal delivery service. Recent renovations include air conditioning and distressed, shabby shaykh decor. Call the Pentagon for more info.
slideguy

I keep hearing “mansion”. The place looks like a cheap apartment building.
- PlaneShaper
  
  Aerial imagery can be deceiving. The residences in Abbottabad are actually quite nice, in Google Maps, check the box that says “photos” and scan around for a while through the urban development. The scenery in that area is also quite beautiful.
Anonymous

Anyone noticed the house from Arrested Development posted as one of the compound pictures?
Anonymous

That has to be the wrong location, because in all the video footage, it is clearly located in a populated urban area. The map above shows a mostly rural area.
- Anonymous
  
  The image you see appears taken in 2005 while the CIA says theirs are more recent. Compare the road net and stream and you’ll find they match. This is what you call urban develop, Mid East style.
thequickbrownfox

Considerable amount of dust would have been encountered by Navy Seals choppers, Mogadishu – style.
MacBookHeir

So, he was killed in a mansion/compound. Did he ever live in a cave?
Does anyone know where the constant “cave reports” came from?
There’s a big difference between cave and compound. Thanks
- Anonymous
  
  Yes, he did live in caves. He just didn’t always live in caves. He may have been crazy, but pretty smart to hide on the edge of a city.
Anonymous

How come Street View doesn’t work here?

Why haven’t the Google cars been through all the streets in Pakistan yet?
dirktanzarian

Psh. Google maps doesn’t even have street view for it.
ScienceTeacherDude

3 different locations are being posted as Bin Laden’s Playhouse…I’m leaning towards this building, posted by several British newspapers: http://goo.gl/UlQYz
GeekDadCanada

It’s amazing what Americans will do when the Playstation network is down.
GeekDadCanada

Well duh, there’s a big flag on the building. Why did it take so long?
- Xeni Jardin
  
  ROFL