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

Cool to hear mike.  I hope you made a poi for the shoe repair place so new
yorkers can go by and have their cases done like yours.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael May" <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 5:25 PM
Subject: [gps-talkusers] New York experiences so far


> 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
>
>

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