[Electronics-talk] Purpose of List

Thu Jun 25 01:36:21 UTC 2009

I haven't been following the thread on cell phones on this list, but I 
had always assumed this list was for the discussion of the accessibility 
of "off the shelf" electronic equipment. Therefore, I would have thought 
phones that have some speech or other accessibility features built in 
would be fair game (such as the LG phones) but that cell phones which 
are made accessible through some accessibility technology, such as Talks 
or Mobile Speak would be off limits. I'd think the latest iPhone should 
be off limits, but I'm not sure how you'd word the list description to 
make such a fine distinction. I'd suggest updating the description to 
cover off the shelf accessible cell phones but not cell phones that 
require the addition of some accessibility technology. Of course, we 
should always be flexible and point people to other lists when they 
stray off topic. Pretty much exactly what David has been doing all along.

For my part, I think David does a fine job moderating the list, and I 
say that even after he's rightly chastised me on more than one occasion 
for straying off topic. IMHO, attacks on him personally are classless, 
and I'm impressed with the way he's chosen to just ignore those attacks. 
I'm always a bit surprised, when no matter what list I'm on, the 
moderator gets attacked for doing the job of moderating his own list. 
It's too bad more people don't just shrug off the reminders from the 
moderator and just move on trying to do a better job of sticking on 
topic and following the lists guidelines.

On 6/24/2009 4:20 PM, David Andrews wrote:
> Well, it looks like I owe everybody an apology, I thought that I had 
> officially declared phones off topic when I established the list, but 
> when I looked at the official description -- which I will put below, 
> phones are included.
>
> I am sorry for any misunderstanding I have created.  I will also 
> clarify the point that the list has never been and isn't meant for the 
> discussion of access technology like screen readers, or 
> computer-related topics like antivirus software.
>
> Here is the official description:
>
> This list is intended for the sharing of information about, and 
> discussion of the accessibility of various consumer electronics 
> devices.  Sharing of information
> about, and discussion of MP3 players; cell phones and other 
> telephones; DVD players, receivers and other stereo and video 
> components; satellite and HD
> radios; and household appliances including microwaves, washers, 
> dryers, stoves, and the like; is appropriate and encouraged.  With 
> more and more devices
> having inaccessible controls or displays, a place to share information 
> and experiences is needed.  It is also hoped that this list will 
> divert such discussions
> from other NFB-sponsored lists, where it is not appropriate.
>
> This list will also on occasion carry announcements and/or information 
> of importance to the NFB and its members and friends as a whole.
>
>
>
> At 02:54 PM 6/24/2009, you wrote:
>> Having experienced the meltdown of several academic lists over the
>> decades I've used listservs, I'd appreciate information from David
>> Andrews indicating what appliances and devices of an electronic nature
>> are acceptable for discussion on this list.  (This is meant as a
>> serious question in order to clarify for me what is appropriate and
>> what is not appropriate for discussion.)
>>
>> I'll start by asking if anyone knows of the availability of an RFID
>> reader for RFID labels on containers, pill bottles, clothing, etc. (A
>> swiss company makes one, but it appears to be unavailable here; it is
>> pretty much like the VictorReader Stream in functionality, except that
>> it has a module for reading and writing to RFID labels.)
>>
>> For those who want to discuss accessibility of Verizon cell phones,
>> you can go to
>>
>> BlindusersVerizonPhones at yahoogroups.com
>>
>> They are very good at providing user experience and pointers for
>> accessibility issues.  If you ask, someone there can probably point to
>> websites for other providers.  (Like all lists, there are occasional
>> "bumps" in the conversation.)
>>
>> best
>>
>> Grover Zinn
>>
>> Grover A. Zinn
>> William H. Danforth Professor of Religion (emeritus)
>> former Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
>> Oberlin College
>> Oberlin, OH 44074
>> 440-775-8866 (department)
>> grover.zinn at oberlin.edu
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 24, 2009, at 2:01 PM, Charlie Richardson wrote:
>>
>>> Not really, if this was like that you would have been off the list a
>>> long time ago.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "The BlindTechs Network" 
>>> <info at theblindtechsnetwork.com >
>>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org >
>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 5:20 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Purpose of List
>>>
>>>
>>>> its a trip how power trippin some of these people get out here in
>>>> email land. Like if we lived in IRan or something.
>>>>
>>>> Gabe Vega
>>>> CEO
>>>> The BlindTechs Network
>>>> www.theblindtechsnetwork.com
>>>> info at theblindtechsnetwork.com
>>>> 623-565-9357 (voice)
>>>> (206) 203-4400 (Fax Phone)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jun 24, 2009, at 1:01 AM, David Andrews wrote:
>>>>
>>>> A reminder that this is the electronics-talk list, and is for the
>>>> discussion of accessibility to home and consumer electronics.  It
>>>> is  not for discussion of firewalls, antivirus and antispyware
>>>> programs, assistive technology and other such subjects.
>>>>
>>>> Please take this discussion elsewhere or I will need to take more
>>>> drastic action.
>>>>
>>>> David Andrews, Moderator
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>
> David Andrews and white cane Harry.
>
>
>
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>
>

-- 
Christopher

cchaltain at austin.rr.com