[Electronics-talk] Miniguide

Thu Dec 12 17:12:56 UTC 2013

I agree not every moment is a teachable moment, but if someone takes the 
time to teach and give more than just the answer, why is that a bad thing?

I'm not sure about this real world you're referring to. At my office one 
time, I was chastised by a peer for doing something for another 
employee. She said she was trying to make him more independent. I 
explained that there are three kinds of people in the world.
1) There are those people who just won't learn to do it for themselves, 
and it's just more efficient for you to do it for them then to try to 
explain to them every time how they can do it for themselves.
2) There are those people who will get it, and be able to do it on their 
own, if you explain it to them enough times.
3) There are those people that just need to be shown once or just 
pointed in the right direction and their on their own from that point on.
The person I explained this to agreed with me and agreed that the 
employee I helped was in that first category.

I was the only blind person in this office, so I consider this a real 
world experience. Furthermore, I came to this realization after teaching 
and working in the real world for years if not decades. Sure if an issue 
can just be resolved by tossing off some information you know off the 
top of your head then an answer might just suffice. However, in this 
case, Jim had to look the answer up himself, he didn't know it off the 
top of his head. Not only did he answer the question, but he also 
explained what he did to get the answer. I'm probably considered snarky 
myself, but I'll frequently look something up on the web before 
answering a question, often just to check my facts. I'll include the 
link where I got the information in my message in addition to answering 
the question. I do this so the person can check my facts--I often see 
misinformation spread on these lists.--and to let them know where to go 
to get more information or answer a question like this in the future. 
Not only do I consider this normal behavior, but I consider it to be 
good practice.

On 12/12/2013 10:38 AM, Baracco, Andrew W wrote:
> Freud supposedly said that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Everything doesn't always have to be a teachable moment. If someone repeatedly asks questions, a lesson may be in order, but if someone occasionally asks a simple question, and you have the answer, why not just tell him? That's how it is usually done in the real world.
>
> Andy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain
> Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:46 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Miniguide
>
> I didn't think Jim was being snarky at all. Sure, if he'd just said
> "look it up", but he didn't. I think it was a good example of someone
> giving you a fish and teaching you to fish as well. Google is a great
> resource, and I think it's a good idea to make sure people realize it.
>
> On 12/11/2013 08:08 PM, Pamela Dominguez wrote:
>> You may not want to seem it, but you are.  Pam.
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Jim Barbour
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 6:24 PM
>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Miniguide
>>
>> 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