[Electronics-talk] Miniguide

Thu Dec 12 16:55:29 UTC 2013

So, What the devil is the miniguide?

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 7:00 PM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
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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>>
>> --
>> Christopher (CJ)
>> chaltain at Gmail
>>
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--
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail

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