[gps-talkusers] Re: laptops versus note takers for the blind

I am interested in theearphone name.
Thanks.

Mary Ellen Earls
Remember! Today is the Tomorrow you thought about yesterday.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "lazzaro" <lazzaro@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 6:14 PM
Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: laptops versus note takers for the blind


> Hi Mike,
> 
> I would support the concept of a notebook computer with GPS, equipped
> with a bluetooth keypad to run the beast. An old fashioned over the ear
> pillow speaker would serve well as a speaker, and the one I use doesn't
> block environmental sounds. I can provide the earphone product name if
> there is interest.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Michael May
> Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 7:06 PM
> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: laptops versus note takers for the blind
> 
> 
> There have been pretty small notebook computers for several years and
> they 
> just get cheaper. Size really hasn't been an obstacle. It is great to
> see 
> the battery life improving.
> 
> Three other challenges for GPS laptop users:
> 
> 1. Small keyboards aren't bad once you get used to them. However, how do
> 
> you access that keyboard when you have the unit around your neck or 
> shoulder? On Strider-GPSTalk, we used a numeric keypad for primary
> commands 
> and that worked reasonably well. The worse part was the extra cable to
> the 
> keypad and the fact that it could come unplugged. Bluetooth keypads? 
> perhaps. Voice input? Not very dependable outdoors but a thought.
> 
> 2. The output on a laptop required an external speaker. This means one
> more 
> battery and one more cable. We see Bluetooth ear pieces but it is not
> wise 
> to cover your ears when walking. Bluetooth speakers? perhaps. Braille 
> displays on the laptop? possible but not convenient or cost effective.
> 
> 3. GPS operation necessitates quick access to the application. You come
> out 
> of a building and you need to turn it on immediately to start acquiring.
> 
> Laptops can take a minute or two to boot up. Resume mode doesn't always 
> bring up all the previously running applications reliably. Instant on
> and 
> off is paramount for a GPS device. This is why 90% of consumer GPS 
> applications are on PDAs or handhelds.
> 
> I dare say that I have hauled around a laptop with GPS as much or more
> than 
> anyone. The fact, is that a handful of inconveniences are worth the 
> information one gets from any accessible GPS. There are trade offs no 
> matter what unit you choose. Given the plethora of trade offs, the 
> BrailleNote and VoiceNote happen to be one of the best options going and
> a 
> huge improvement over the laptop GPS I used to carry.
> 
> We would love to have our GPS applications running on a variety of 
> platforms. I think we have done a pretty good job of positioning
> ourselves 
> as the Cadillac of accessible GPS applications. The good news for
> consumers 
> is that there are other options evolving so if you don't need a
> Cadillac, 
> there are other brands from which to choose.
> 
> Mike
> 
> At 03:15 PM 9/6/2004, you wrote:
> >Are there laptops out there that provide the battery life one would 
> >need = for something like that (i.e. eight to ten hours) and the 
> >portability?  If = there
> >are such things, count me in as voting for the reintroduction of =
> >Strider.
> >Heck, I'd even help WRITE the blasted thing.
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of=20  
> > >Fernando Botelho
> > > Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 2:54 PM
> > > To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] laptops versus note takers for the blind 
> > >=20 =20
> > > You guys are right on that one; you can add me to the list of=20
> > > people not happy with machines designed exclusively for the=20
> > > blind. I rather have a GPS system on the smaller, faster,=20
> > > more powerful, more versatile, and much cheaper Fujitsu P1120=20
> > > laptop than on any blind-specific notetaker out there--which=20
> > > explains why I don't have a GPS system right now.
> > >=20
> > > Fernando
> > >=20
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Mary=20
> > > Ellen Earls
> > > Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 9:07 AM
> > > To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Out dated pois
> > >=20
> > >=20
> > > I actually would like to see the strider brought back in a=20
> > > windows version because I am becoming more and more=20
> > > disalusioned with the field of blindness technology as a whole.
> > >=20
> > > Mary Ellen Earls
> > > Remember! Today is the Tomorrow you thought about yesterday.
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "vincent" <vinnroc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 4:39 PM
> > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Out dated pois
> > >=20
> > >=20
> > > > Go Charles there is a bunch of us who can't wait.  I think=20
> > > there is a
> > > bunch
> > > > of laptop lurkers. ---- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Charles La Pierre" <lapierre@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > > To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 7:18 PM
> > > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Out dated pois
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > I am always looking at ways to create an Atlas Speaks and 
> > > > > Strider=20 again. Charles.
> > > > >
> > > > > At 10:36 AM 9/5/2004, you wrote:
> > > > > >Could this be a consideration sometime down the road?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > >----- Original Message -----
> > > > > >From: "Michael May" <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > >To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > >Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 12:35 PM
> > > > > >Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Out dated pois
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Rich,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The maps were discontinued for that format. We could=20
> > > get updated
> > > POIs
> > > > but
> > > > > > > not maps. There were also licensing and insurance=20
> > > issues, which
> > > makes
> > > > the
> > > > > > > annual cost about $20,000 before you sell one copy, crazy 
> > > > > > > but=20 true.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The better solution is to port our current software=20
> > > to a laptop
> > > > platform
> > > > > > > but that too isn't inexpensive in terms of time and=20
> > > priorities.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Mike
> > > > > > > At 03:18 PM 9/3/2004, you wrote:
> > > > > > > >Mike:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >I still have version 1.85 of Atlas and GPS Talks on=20
> > > my laptop=20
> > > > > > > >and
> > > it
> > > > > >works
> > > > > > > >great.  True, the maps are somewhat out of date. =20
> > > How difficult
> > > would
> > > > it
> > > > > >be
> > > > > > > >to resurrect that with new maps.  Are the new maps 
> > > > > > > >addressed=20 quite differently?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >Rich Irwin
> > > > > > > >rich.irwin@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:rich.irwin@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >-----Original Message-----
> > > > > > > >From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > >[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf=20
> > > Of Michael=20
> > > > > > > >May
> > > > > > > >Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 2:26 PM
> > > > > > > >To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > >Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Out dated pois
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >Chip,
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >It is a matter of time and money to port the software to 
> > > > > > > >a=20 laptop
> > > > > >platform.
> > > > > > > >All the map licenses remain the same as for the 
> > > > > > > >BrailleNote.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >However, we also have requests for GPS on the PK, GPS on=20
> 
> > > > > > > >Keysoft
> > > 6.1
> > > > and
> > > > > > > >GPS on generic Windows CE PDAs. I wish we had the=20
> > > funding to do=20
> > > > > > > >all
> > > > these
> > > > > > > >things.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >Mike
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >At 01:19 PM 9/3/2004, you wrote:
> > > > > > > > >It may not be possible via the software.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >As I have mentioned before I was trying to develop=20
> > > a similar
> > > > product
> > > > > >for
> > > > > > > > >laptop users, and I was using MapPoint for it's=20
> > > mapping data=20
> > > > > > > > >and
> > > > POIs.
> > > > > > > > >MapPoint does not allow you to delete or edit any of 
> > > > > > > > >it's=20 list of
> > > > POIs,
> > > > > > > > >so all I can do is essentially ask it to give me a list 
> > > > > > > > >of=20 its
> > > POIs
> > > > > > > > >within a defined radius of a defined point.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >I also added a user POI database, and in that I=20
> > > was planning=20
> > > > > > > > >to
> > > > allow
> > > > > > > > >edits and deletions, but I too (if I ever could=20
> > > complete the
> > > > project,
> > > > > > > > >which isn't looking likely), would face the same=20
> > > restriction=20
> > > > > > > > >on commercial POIs.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >I suppose I could add a second database of known POIs 
> > > > > > > > >that=20 are in MapPoint that the user doesn't want=20
> > > reported, and then=20
> > > > > > > > >search it
> > > > each
> > > > > > > > >time MapPoint gave me a list of POIs, but that=20
> > > sounds like a=20
> > > > > > > > >lot
> > > of
> > > > > > > > >extra work and extra processing for a relatively=20
> > > small amount=20
> > > > > > > > >of
> > > > gain.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >Unfortunately, my paying job has taken up much more of 
> > > > > > > > >my=20 time,
> > > and
> > > > > >will
> > > > > > > > >continue to do so, so it may be that someone else=20
> > > will have=20
> > > > > > > > >to do
> > > > this
> > > > > > > > >project.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >What about it Mike?  With all that experience you=20
> > > have, could=20
> > > > > > > > >you
> > > > > >modify
> > > > > > > > >your program to work in a laptop environment?
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >Chip
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > > > > > From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On=20
> > > Behalf Of=20
> > > > > > > > > > Todd
> > > > Patkus
> > > > > > > > > > Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2004 4:23 AM
> > > > > > > > > > To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Out dated pois =3D20
> > > > > > > > > > Mike et al,
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > If you, Mike, say no about commercial POIs, then,
> what=20
> > > > > > > > > >is=3D20  your reason for denying that?  Makes no=20
> > > sense!  Kim=20
> > > > > > > > > >is=3D20  correct, so please think twice before 
> > > > > > > > > >saying=20 something. =3D20
> > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > > > > > >From: Michael May <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > >To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > >Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 19:30:27 -0700
> > > > > > > > > > >Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Out dated pois
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >You cannot update commercial POIs, only your user 
> > > > > > > > > > >POIs.
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >Mike
> > > > > > > > > > >At 06:09 PM 8/20/2004, you wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > >>Better yet, Can we update an existing poi, or=20
> > > atleast=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > rename the poi=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>if need be in the case of a closing or changing=20 
> > > > > > > > > > >>business?
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > > > > > >>From: "Kim Lookingbill" <seadolphink@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > >>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > >>Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 4:16 PM
> > > > > > > > > > >>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Out dated pois
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>> Hi: - Living in a competitive area for 
> > > > > > > > > > >>> businesses,=20 where
> > > > new=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>> businesses
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>are opening up almost weekly, while others=20
> > > are closing
> > > their
> > > > > >doors=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>for a
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>final time.  What would be the procedure of 
> > > > > > > > > > >>>notifying
> > > the=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > map folks=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>of a
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>no longer existent business designated at a=20
> > > particular
> > > POI=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > setting,=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>so
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>these updates, and adjustments can be made=20
> > > for future=20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>map
> > > > > >editions..
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>Thanks, and all the best.  - Kim
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>P.S.: I am aware that Pois can be edited/deleted=20
> 
> > > > > > > > > > >>>within=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > your personal
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>settings on your own BN, but I'm thinking=20
> > > more on the=20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>line
> > > > of=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>informing
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>the proper persons in charge of the master=20
> > > map copies=20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>so
> > > > outdated
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>information is not included on future map updates.
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>> Kim Lookingbill
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>kim@xxxxxxxxxxxx (email or MSN Messenger)
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>Blast From The Past
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>Sundays, 16 to 19 UTC
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>Back Stage Pass
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>Thursdays from 0 to 1 UTC
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > > >>>http://interactive.acbradio.org
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > > > > >=3D20
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Charles M. La Pierre CTO
> > > > > Sendero Group, LLC
> > > > >
> > > > > Lat. 37 15' 25" N  Lon: 121 53' 04" W
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >=20
> > >=20
> > >=20
> > >=20
> > >=20
> > >=20
> 
> 
>

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