[Electronics-talk] Miniguide

Fri Dec 13 00:05:20 UTC 2013

If that's all they'd said, I'd agree that could be off putting. 
Sometimes it's not trivial to find something in Google or come up with 
the right query.

That's not what happened in this case though. Jim said Google is your 
friend and then went on to find the answer in Google, provided the link 
where he found the answer and a summary in the body of the message. I 
think just telling someone to look it up or read the manual is a waste 
of time, and if that's all your going to contribute to the list then 
please just hit the delete key and don't bother. However, if you point 
out where they can find the answer in the manual as well as quote from 
the manual to answer the question or point out that you found the 
information on Google, provide the link and summarize the answer in the 
body of the email then I don't see the problem. If I have to double 
check something myself by looking it up in Google, why wouldn't I 
include the link in my message and point out that I got the information 
from Google? It validates my answer and gives someone a starting point 
to find more authoritative information.

On 12/12/2013 05:52 PM, Pamela Dominguez wrote:
> I can remember asking a question on the list a long time ago, and one of
> the people answered as follows:  "Google is your friend!  Google is your
> friend! Google is your friend!"  I didn't appreciate that.  Pam.
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Christopher Chaltain
> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 6:14 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Miniguide
>
> Of course these lists are for asking questions. Pointing out that you
> can use Google to find an answer to a question isn't the same thing as
> telling someone they can't use the list to ask a question. I don't think
> we should assume that everyone knows how to use Google and that it can
> be a valuable resource when answering such a question.
>
> Google is a fantastic service, and I don't think there's anything wrong
> with pointing that out to someone. It may be that no one knows the
> answer to the question, or it'll be awhile before the person with the
> answer gets around to answering the question, and the person could use
> that time to find it on their own with Google. I've seen well meaning
> people also pass on erroneous information on a list. They just know what
> they know, and things may have changed since they bought a product or
> researched an issue themselves. Google will help you find first source
> information.
>
> IMHO, these lists are great for things that you won't be able to find
> with Google, such as how is the accessibility of a given off the shelf
> product. I personally think Google is much more efficient when it comes
> to answering a question like how much does that cost, where can I get it
> or what is it?
>
> Jim didn't know what this was himself, so he looked it up and passed
> that information on to the list. I don't have a problem with him
> pointing out that he found the information himself using Google. I
> really don't see why someone saying "Google is your friend" considered
> so snarky. I'll frequently look something up myself if I'm interested
> and answer a question on a list, similar to what Jim did. This
> discussion though will give me pause on how trying to help someone will
> be perceived.
>
> On 12/12/2013 04:58 PM, Snow White Dove wrote:
>>   I don't want to seem snarky either,
>> But what are these emails list for if you can't ask questions and get
>> answers.
>> If I had a question and I wanted to look at Google I wouldn't be on
>> the mailing list now what I.
>> Jenny
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Dec 11, 2013, at 5:24 PM, Jim Barbour <jbar at barcore.com> 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