[gps-talkusers] Re: New York experiences so far

Hey, Mike, the Empire State Building also has an audio tour, which is kind 
of cool.  You can stand up on the observation deck and hear, through a 
headset, Tony the cabby describe all the different sections of the city 
that you can see from up there.  I was the only one in our group that 
bought the audio tour, so I was telling my husband and friend what they 
were looking at.  <grin>  I didn't get to use my GPS up there as I'd 
planned, because we had a thunderstorm while up there and the sky was still 
kind of iffy, so I didn't want to take any chances on damaging the 
receiver.  Are you going to see any shows while there?  I heartily 
recommend WICKED.

Peggy

At 02:25 PM 9/11/2004 -0700, you wrote:
>Glad to have street maps again. The grid pattern of the city makes it
>pretty easy to know where you are but the GPS does help remind me about the
>avenues between the numbers like Park, Lexington and Madison.
>
>The reception continues to be okay although I notice a fair bit of multi
>path. This manifest itself as poor directional information when walking
>slow or stopped. If I am moving the directional information is fairly
>reliable. A lot of the streets are very close together so there is the
>potential for incorrect street info but it is fine most of the time.
>
>I was surprised walking up the East side of Central Park, the West side of
>5th avenue under the trees that I still got signals.
>
>I navigated the way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Inside, I found an
>audio guide and Braille pamphlet to help a little with accessibility but I
>can't wait for the days when our indoor wayfinding is implemented. This
>museum is enormous.
>
>I learned from the pamphlet that you can have a touch tour with advance
>reservations. I created a point at the museum including a note and phone
>number for the collective user file. The audio guide only applied to about
>5% of the exhibits. There were 6 items blind people can touch. This is not
>a museum you can do independently. A sighted guide is necessary even to
>read the numbers on the exhibits for the audio device.
>
>The pamphlet said that audio devices were free for people who were blind or
>deaf. I had a great time touring with my wife but I think these folks could
>use a little accessibility consulting.
>
>I found the new Talking ATM database useful here. There are 1824 points of
>interest within a mile of my hotel and lots more to add. I have only input
>18 points so far.
>
>I have been meaning to go by a shoe repair store to have a couple custom
>straps made for my BrailleNote to hold the lid half open when I am walking.
>I found 3 shops within 3 blocks and the last one agreed to make straps.
>They are about 8 inches long with mail Velcro on one end and a fold-over
>snap on the other end. I asked him for a clip to hook into the D rings on
>the BrailleNote case but he didn't have any.
>
>It works great. The straps constrict your hands a bit but it is nice not to
>have the lid of the case flapping up and down as you walk. It also obscures
>the keyboard to onlookers and might help keep dust off the display.
>
>I mention this in case you are inclined to go to your local shoe shop. Once
>I refine this design, we might have a bunch made for those who would also
>like this benefit.
>
>One thing about New York, almost any business or entertainment is at your
>fingertips. With so much information, the problem is  choosing where to go.
>Isn't it a change and fun to have this problem?
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>
>At 05:39 PM 9/10/2004, you wrote:
> >Shame on you, Mike!  Don't you know you always pack maps and poi's and what
> >you need to work the gps wherever you're going, even before you think about
> >packing your toothbrush or underwear?  <grin>  Seriously though, I'm glad
> >you won't be mapless in The Big Apple after all.  I'm glad to hear the
> >Earthmate does so well there.  I have the Sportrak, and after sitting in
> >Central Park with it on and getting a poor fix and then losing my signal
> >over and over, I figured there were too many skyscrapers to make it
> >worthwhile to use while walking, so I'd just use it to see where I'd been
> >or plan where we were going when we were in the hotel room.  Even that made
> >the city more interesting.  Can hardly wait to hear your gps adventures
> >once you get the maps.
> >
> >Peggy
> >
> >At 09:51 AM 9/10/2004 -0700, you wrote:
> > >Thanks to those of you who offered to email me the files. They would 
> be too
> > >big to download easily. I am going over to see Jay Leventhal at AFB today
> > >and will get the maps from him in person.
> > >
> > >Unfortunately, not having the maps is a function of user error and not a
> > >limitation of the technology. I have a 2 GB compact flash card and 5 GB
> > >Micro drive so storage space wasn't the problem. I just neglected to put
> > >the New York maps on the drive. I had 90% of the U.S., Canada and Ireland
> > >on the drives, just not New York.
> > >
> > >I have always said, one should use the technology but always have
> > >contingency plans if it fails. In this case, I forgot the maps and found a
> > >solution. I'll be back in business shortly.
> > >
> > >I still had points of interest, which assisted me in finding a particular
> > >restaurant last night. I am pleasantly surprised to see how well the
> > >Earthmate is picking up satellites in New York. It took me 10 minutes to
> > >first acquire but after that, I had coverage 90% of the time.
> > >
> > >Mike
> > >
> > >
> > >At 05:39 AM 9/10/2004, you wrote:
> > > >Sure hope to see GPS on a lap top again.  Years ago we could go
> > anywhere in
> > > >the Us and Canada and not worry about it.  I sure hope that this happens
> > > >again.  Good luck in New York.  I would be be bummed also.  Gerry
> > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: "Michael May" <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >To: "GPS-talkusers-freelists.org" <GPS-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > >Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 5:42 PM
> > > >Subject: [gps-talkusers] list to the rescue
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hello Listers,
> > > > >
> > > > > I just arrived in Manhattan having left my house at 3:30 AM this
> > morning.
> > > >I
> > > > > forgot one very major thing and hope someone on the list can come
> > to the
> > > > > rescue.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have maps for about 45 of the 50 states but not New York. Anyone
> > on the
> > > > > list in Manhattan? I'll go through serious withdrawal if I am here
> > for 3
> > > > > days without maps.
> > > > >
> > > > > Please email me of list or call my cell, 530-304-0007 if you are 
> in the
> > > > > vicinity. I'll buy you at least a cup of coffee in exchange for a map
> > > fix.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >
> > > > > Mike
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Michael G. May
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > CEO Sendero Group
> > > > >
> > > > > Developers and distributors of BrailleNote GPS
> > > > > Now distributing BrailleNote, VoiceNote, Miniguide, The Tissot 
> Silen-T
> > > > > tactile watch and the ID Mate, bar code reader
> > > > >
> > > > > MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > http://www.SenderoGroup.com
> > > > >
> > > > > (530) 757-6800, Fax (530) 757-6830, Mobile (530) 304-0007
> > > > > Sendero Group, LLC
> > > > > 1118 Maple Lane, Davis, CA 95616-1723, USA
> > > > >
> > > > > Latitude, 38 33 9.239 North
> > > > > Longitude, 121 45 40.145 West
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> >
> >mailto:kernsac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >http://www.home.earthlink.net/~kernsac
> >MSN Messenger kernsac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

mailto:kernsac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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