[Electronics-talk] Needed iphone advice, the list subscription for iphone for user in CanadaRE: Mac, etc.

Sat Aug 21 21:17:20 UTC 2010

I like the iPhone 4. I've had one about three weeks and although the initial 
learning curve seemed a bit daunting, with a bit of persistence and a 
modicum of common sense, all comes right in the end and it's surprising how 
many of the applications available for the iPhone 4 work well as soon as 
loaded from the App store.

The touch screen isn't too hard in that VoiceOver tells you what you're 
running your finger over and if you realize that the little tiles or squares 
the screen is divided into -- the "buttons" and text fields -- are exactly 
what the sighted person sees, it all makes sense.

That said, however, I recall one list participatn who said he'd returned his 
iPhone as he just couldn't handle no buttons (actually there are a couple 
but not part of the iPhone 4 keyboard).

I will say that the reports of loss of signal due to holding the iPhone 4 in 
the wrong position are, in my experience, much exaggerated. I know of a 
gentleman who says he has exactly the same problem with his Blackberry. So 
while there may be some validity to the problem, much of it was as much news 
media and consumerist hype as it was reality and most other smart phones 
with numerous functions and antennae would have the same problem.

Mike Freeman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sharon Ballantyne" <sballan at nexicom.net>
To: "'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 9:57 AM
Subject: [Electronics-talk] Needed iphone advice,the list subscription for 
iphone for user in CanadaRE: Mac, etc.

> Hi all,
>
> I am interested in thoughts around iphone 4. I saw the 3GS with voic over 
> on
> it yesterday. The person showing me the phone really knew what he was 
> doing.
> I have been paranoid about the touchscreen. Thoughts on iphone 4 
> contrasted
> with iphone 3 appreciated. To post off list write to:
> sballan at nexicom.net
>
> If someone could repost the iphone subscription informationfor list or 
> lists
> that focus on blind users, that would be great.
>
> I would also be very interested to speak with anyone in Canada using an
> iphone about the cell provider they are with. I am currently with Bell
> Canada.
>
> Many thanks,
> Sharon
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Christopher
> Chaltain
> Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 12:32 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Mac, etc.
>
>
> According to the list's web page, ....
>
> "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."
>
> I guess it's up for interpretation, but I don't consider a PC to be "a
> consumer electronics device", and I'm OK with David--the
> moderator--making that call. I joined this list to hear about accessible
> consumer electronics, and I'll join other lists to talk about PC's.
>
> Since David's post isn't included in the thread below, and I didn't
> bother to keep it, I can't speak to whether it could have been more
> polite with more please's and thank you's, but I don't recall seeing
> anything from David that was particularly rude. In general, I find David
> can be a it terse and to the point at times, but he almost always
> directs people to other sources of information when they're straying off
> topic. I also don't think he clamps down on off topic posts too quickly,
> which is good for a general purpose list like this. In conclusion, I've
> seen much worse moderators who were either too heavy handed or went to
> the other extreme and let the list deteriorate into off topic threads
> and flame wars.
>
> I Do wonder what a list moderator can do to moderate the list without
> opening themselves up and the rest of the list to this debate and
> discussion every time they step in as the list moderator though. For my
> part, I'm happy letting David moderate his own list.
>
> If this list is less cordial than other lists, I don't think it's the
> fault of the moderator. A moderator can only do so much to enforce
> civility on a list. I don't think we have anyone to blame but ourselves.
>
> --
>
> Christopher
> chaltain at gmail.com
>
>
> On 8/21/2010 7:53 AM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>> Are you saying that a computer is not an electronic device??  That is
>> ridiculous.
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Werner"
>> <craig_werner at verizon.net>
>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 8:46 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Mac, etc.
>>
>>
>>> Twenty-four years of online experience teaches me that sending "I
>>> agree" messages are poor etiquette, but I'm going to post one anyway.
>>>
>>> I agree with Peter:  I suggest that an occasional foray into
>>> discussion of computers is not uncalled for.  If this were a
>>> high-volume list, and if such messages proliferated, then I would
>>> probably change my mind. However, as matters with this list stand
>>> now, I fail to see the harm or inconvenience caused by well-meaning
>>> posts such as those Ray has sent out about the Mac.  In fact, they
>>> are potentially instructive and helpfull.
>>>
>>> Craig
>>>
>>> On 8/21/2010 5:31 AM, Peter Rabaioli wrote:
>>>> With notable exceptions, there is a lack of cordiality in general by
>>>> the
>>>> participants on this list.  Ray was kind enough to answer a couple of
>>>> questions about using a Mac as a happy user of such a device, which,
>>>> to me
>>>> is an electronic device.  Perhaps keeping bafoons such as  Dewey's
>>>> rants off
>>>> the air, would be more in line in the role  of the list moderator, than
>>>> deciding weather, or not a computer is a part of tech gear. Thank
>>>> you for
>>>> the suggestion for looking at another list for computer use.    I've
>>>> seen
>>>> much more  off topic items listed here.   A few more please and
>>>> thank you's
>>>> would lift the general level of communication here.  Just my humble
>>>> opinion.
>>>> All the best, and, thanks again to Ray.  Best, Peter
>>
>
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