[Electronics-Talk] My Justification for the ProxTalker Electronics Braille Labeler

Sat Jan 2 18:54:38 UTC 2016

First of all, no one was flamed here. Just as someone can have a 
difference of opinion without being critical, there can be a 
disagreement without flaming. I agree people shouldn't interpret 
questions as being critical, but people should also give some thought to 
how their messages may be interpreted by others on the list, such as 
someone who just purchased this labeller.

In one message this labeller was referred to as a high priced item 
targeted to large organizations with limited knowledge of blindness. If 
I were a blind person who had just purchased this product, I'd take this 
message as questioning my knowledge of blindness.

Another message said that a slate only costs $10, and they were glad 
they had the skills so they didn't need to buy a fancy product. Again, 
I'd assume a message like this was implying I didn't have the skills to 
use a slate and had to depend on fancy products.

Finally, someone asked:

"But there must be some major advantage or advantages or how does one 
justify that high cost when one can make good labels almost free?"

Here they're asking someone to justify why they purchased something, 
which no one needs to do. They're also using words like "major 
advantage" and comparing it to another option that's "almost free". 
IMHO, a question like this, with the choice of words being used, could 
easily make someone defensive, and it definitely seems like the person 
asking the question has already made up their mind and is using a 
question to state an opinion rather than get information or clarification.

A question like "I'm curious, why did you get this labeller instead of 
other options like a Perkins brailler or a slate and stylus?" would get 
additional information without using judgemental words and phrases and 
putting someone on the defensive.

I don't know exactly why Vince felt he had to justify his purchase, but 
based on the messages I refer to above, I'm not surprised he did. I 
don't think any one is mean or meant to put any one down, I just don't 
think people always realize how heir messages will be interpreted by 
others. As I said, people shouldn't be too critical of other people's 
posts, but people should also give some thought to how what they're 
saying may be interpreted by others.

On 02/01/16 03:59, Lauren Merryfield via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Hi,
> I wonder why some people assume that when there might be a difference of
> opinion that one is automatically being critical or being opinionated.
> People are different with different needs but one ought to be able to ask
> about someone doing something differently without being flamed. When I was
> asking about the justification of the price, I was not criticizing or being
> opinionated. I just wanted to know what one hoped to gain by paying the
> price for this gadget as opposed to way less expensive means of brailling
> labels. Needing it for work makes sense. Who knows, if I need to label a lot
> of stuff, I might decide I would want one of these. Because one asks for
> clarification does not mean they are criticizing or being opinionated about
> their concern. I figure it is probably ok to buy one of them and it is
> probably ok not to.
> Thanks
> Lauren
>
>
> Blessings in Jesus' name:
> My digital evangelism blog is at:
> www . ask in jesus name . org (take out the spaces when you type it)
> Psalm 27:1-6  (KJV)
> 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the
> strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
> 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my
> flesh, they stumbled and fell.
> 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though
> war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
> 4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may
> dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty
> of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
> 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret
> of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
> 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:
> therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing,
> yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
> Advice from my cats:"meow when you feel like it."
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Robin Frost via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Friday, January 1, 2016 10:28 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Robin Frost <robini71 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Justification for the ProxTalker
> Electronics Braille Labeler
>
> Hi,
> I totally agree with Christopher on this one.  Even if I don't need a tool
> or implement or gadget or toy for grown ups (smile) today you never know
> when I'll find a use for it in future.  And as he pointed out the
> convenience or usefulness and value one affixes to such is as personal as
> any other decision in life.  It amazes me how opinionated some can get
> regarding who uses what and why.  Maybe I'm naive or silly or old fashioned
> or who knows what but I've always been a more live and let live type of
> girl.  I might offer what works for me in hopes that others might benefit
> but never would I assume or presume that the way I do anything would be best
> for anyone else.
> Just my two cents no one asked for. So in summary happy adapting to life as
> we all must and do keep sharing about the electronic aids that help you to
> do so as you never know when one of us might be motivated by interest, need
> or circumstance to go on a spree for such.
> Robin
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Christopher Chaltain via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Saturday, January 2, 2016 12:06 AM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> Cc: Christopher Chaltain
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] My Justification for the ProxTalker
> Electronics Braille Labeler
>
> Vince,
>
> You don't have to justify why you purchased the labeller. As someone else
> said, it's a personal decision. No one else understands your situation or
> knows whether it's worth it or not to you. I've found that some people have
> a tendency to think that what works for them is what's right for everyone,
> but this just isn't the case. Personally, I'm not too interested when others
> start talking about whether something is worth the price being asked for or
> not. I like hearing about different options, but no one knows my financial
> situation or how much I'm willing to pay for a convenience or a service.
> BTW, I did appreciate hearing why you purchased the labeller though.
>
> On 01/01/16 22:29, cheez via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>> Honestly, I hope this puts this subject to bed.  One has to know a
>> little about my job for clarification.
>>
>> I work at a depot, that supplies military installations, home and abroad.
>> We receive products from various manufacturers, and one of my tasks
>> requires me to pull certain items from specific locations in the
>> warehouse.  Since the quantity on the boxes are printed, and since I'm
>> the only total that is currently pulling orders, knowing what the
>> quantities are on the boxes not only speed up my production, but it
>> also gives me independence.  For I usually have to hunt down someone
>> to tell me the quantity.  And sometimes the quantity on the box is
>> what the order calls for.
>>
>> So this labeler gives those partially-sighted and fully sighted
>> individuals whom are in charge of receiving the product before it is
>> put into stock, the chance to affix a braille label to the box.  So,
>> since most of them don't know braille, all they have to do is type the
>> numbers and that's that.
>>
>> Someone had mentioned label size.  I wondered too why it only takes
>> one size.  But then I recalled seeing the 1-1/2 inch tape available in
>> local office supply stores.  And it is cheaper than Maxi-aid's or
>> other places of that nature.
>>
>> So, there you go.  Hope that explains things.
>>
>> I was asked by one of my supervisors if I'd be willing to sell it to
>> my employer, but I said no.  I will still be using it for my home.
>> However, there are plans of looking into my job purchasing one.
>>
>> Vince
>>
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>
> --
> Christopher (CJ)
> chaltain at Gmail
>
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-- 
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail