[Electronics-talk] Miniguide

Thu Dec 12 00:53:02 UTC 2013

It actually didn't and doesn't bother me that much. The primary purpose 
of my message was to echo Jim's post with some additional tips on how to 
ask better questions on list and handle situations when a post wasn't 
particularly clear. How many questions have we now seen come to the list 
asking what this device is? You could look it up yourself like Jim 
suggests or use the delete key like I did.

I probably can't convince you that the off topic nature of the post 
didn't bother me too much, but there was a reason I mentioned it at the 
end of my message and worded it the way I did. It was literally and 
afterthought on my part. I believe moderation should be left to the 
moderator, but I think posters need to be responsible and keep their 
posts on topic. IMHO, it makes for a more useful list. I do think there 
is plenty to talk about regarding off the shelf electronics that are or 
can be made accessible. I know I don't know everything out there that is 
accessible to me on the store shelves, and that's why I joined this list.

On 12/11/2013 06:34 PM, Sandy wrote:
> I think if this is only to discuss off the shelf, then there's not much
> to speak about.  Also there are items that are accessible, the same like
> thermostats, that are both off the shelf and specifically for the blind.
> Some of us know this and will likely go to a local store to buy the off
> the shelf item and it'll most likely be less expensive than the adapted
> version. I have been away from the computer since my post, and have not
> put time in to research mini guide.  However, I think it may be a small
> electronic gadget that gives one input on surrounding obstacles. At any
> rate, Christopher, it did bother you enough that you wrote the list
> concerning the original post.
>
>
> Sandy
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Christopher Chaltain" <chaltain at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:59 PM
> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Miniguide
>
>> I don't really care much one way or the other, and I never would have
>> sent a message to the list just complaining about something being off
>> topic. I also agree that with electronics creeping into more and more
>> things, and hopefully as more things become accessible off the shelf,
>> this list should have a pretty lenient approach to what is and is not
>> on topic.
>>
>> I guess the question about whether washing machines are on topic for
>> the list depends on whether you consider them electronic or not. Seems
>> like electronics is creeping into them though. Thermostats seem pretty
>> electronic to me and their are definitely accessible off the shelf
>> thermostats out there, so that seems like a no brainer.
>>
>> Maybe this Mini guide is an off the shelf product not intended to be
>> used exclusively by the blind, but it seemed like a mobility aid for
>> the blind to me, which would make it off topic for this list, as I
>> understand it.
>>
>> As I said, a lenient approach to what is and is not on topic for this
>> list is appropriate in my opinion, but I did join the list to hear
>> about accessible off the shelf consumer electronics. If the purpose of
>> the list is pointless and anything becomes on topic then it becomes a
>> less valuable resource. If I have to sift through too many off topic
>> posts to find news on accessible off the shelf consumer electronics
>> then I'll just unsubscribe and get my news elsewhere. No big deal to me.
>>
>> As I said, I'm not the moderator, and I'll defer to their judgment.
>>
>> On 12/11/2013 05:43 PM, Sandy wrote:
>>> Christopher,
>>>
>>> In my opinion, I think some of us get too picky about what is supposed
>>> to be on this list.  If it is okay to ask about the accessibility of
>>> washers, dryers, thermostats, etc. what is wrong with discussing the
>>> mini guide?
>>>
>>>
>>> Sandy
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "Christopher Chaltain" <chaltain at gmail.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:37 PM
>>> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
>>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Miniguide
>>>
>>>> A few other thoughts, ....
>>>>
>>>> It's probably a good practice to provide this type of information when
>>>> posting a question about a device or an application that may not be
>>>> familiar to everyone. It'll help get better answers more quickly, and
>>>> it'll cut down on list traffic.
>>>>
>>>> If I see something mentioned I don't recognize, I'll either look it up
>>>> in Google, as Jim suggests, or I'll just hit the delete key. I think
>>>> the original poster has some responsibility here, see my previous
>>>> point, and I don't always have the time to decipher a poorly thought
>>>> out post.
>>>>
>>>> Finally, it's not my list, but this doesn't seem on topic for this
>>>> list. I haven't been paying too much attention, but there seems to be
>>>> a lot of off topic posts to this list lately, and I'm sure I'm guilty
>>>> of this myself somewhat.
>>>>
>>>> On 12/11/2013 05:24 PM, Jim Barbour wrote:
>>>>> I really don't want to seem snarky, but Google is your friend for
>>>>> questions like this.  I typed in "miniguide blind" and got good
>>>>> information.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.senderogroup.com/products/shopminiguide.htm
>>>>>
>>>>> The short version is...
>>>>>
>>>>> Detect obstacles in the palm of your hand with the 2 ounce ultrasonic
>>>>> Miniguide.
>>>>>
>>>>> Augment information from other mobility aids, like the cane or dog
>>>>> guide,with obstacle-detection by the Miniguide from 1.5 to 26 feet.
>>>>>
>>>>> The Miniguide is 3 inches long, 1.4 inches wide and .75 inches thick
>>>>> including the single 123A battery. Two sensors covered by mesh at the
>>>>> front of the unit send and receive the detection signals. Durable
>>>>> plastic casing covers the rest of the unit.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jim
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Dec 11, 2013 at 05:16:02PM -0600, Snow White Dove wrote:
>>>>>> I’m sorry if I sound ignorant, but what is a mini guide?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I’ve never heard of it before.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Could someone give me some info on it.  It can be short and sweet
>>>>>> and it can even be off list if necessary or preferable.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for understanding my ignorance about electronics of that sort.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jenny
>>>>>> On Dec 11, 2013, at 3:45 PM, Sarah Clark <sarah at sarahaclark.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>> I am about to purchase a Miniguide, and I have a question for
>>>>>>> anyone who has one. I know that in addition to the regular
>>>>>>> Miniguide, there is also a Miniguide US version made by APH, and
>>>>>>> the US version costs almost $200 more, so I am trying to figure out
>>>>>>> if the US version is worth the additional cost?  From what I
>>>>>>> understand, they both do the same thing, the US version just gives
>>>>>>> quicker access to some of the functions by adding a second button.
>>>>>>> But the regular Miniguide sounds completely usable to me. I am
>>>>>>> wondering if people find the US version worthwhile over the regular
>>>>>>> version, and if there is some other benefit to the US version that
>>>>>>> I may be overlooking?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>> Sarah
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Christopher (CJ)
>>>> chaltain at Gmail
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Christopher (CJ)
>> chaltain at Gmail
>>
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>
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-- 
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail