Hello Jonathan Firstly, let me wish you well in your recovery. Do allow yourself enough time before getting back into full swing - the most important thing you have is your health, whether in work or out of work - do take it easy. I am writing to you off list as I don't want to get into wrangling in public - I think I've said enough, however strong my feelings are. I forwarded the original email to Pulsedata in the UK a couple of days ago, and made several comments and requests. In essence I stated that, unless I can get some satisfactory answers to my questions, or at least a reassurance that if I am not satisfied that I can be given a refund, then I wished my order for GPS 2 to be cancelled. I bought the BrailleNot18 months ago mainly on the promise of GPS; since my wife's illness it has become even more imperative that I can plan routes and travel independently as she is now no longer able to drive. I live in a semi-rural location and am worried about the inaccuracy of the UK maps. I hope you don't mind my replying to a couple of the points you make in your message to the list and I will try to be as objective here as I can. You wrote: > Firstly, there are a couple of feature suggestions you've offered, such as > the ability to find a particular town, which we'll definitely consider for > future releases and I appreciate the ideas. Good. In particular a postcode (zip code) input would be in my view de rigueur these days, especially for someone running a business. This is commonplace in commercial software for those with sight.
> The most vexing issue you raise of course relates to data accuracy. Like > any product of this kind, we're not in the business of generating this data > ourselves, we must buy it. This is a very specialised area that is done by > companies who provide data for a range of GPS applications such as those > used by cars, transport and other professionals. Again, I have used 'off-the-shelf' commercial software for the PC (some with sighted help of course) where the maps are much more up-to-date; there is always the possibility of subscription updates, although in our case I think this would be strongly opposed, given the number of private individuals purchasing the software. If up-to-date maps are avaialble, as I affirm, is it perhaps a question of cost - has Pulsedata chosen a cheaper but less up-to-date offering? I would hope not. > We had minimal beta > testers in the UK, so we're only really learning now where they may be some > issues that we need to take up with the data providers. No, not good enough, and I for one offered my services, even before the original GPS sofware was released. You can't blame the lack of beta testers for a poor product, I don't think. > We've already > lodged inquiries with them and take the matter very seriously. What I have > been able to establish at this stage is that The data starts with the > Ordinance Survey as all UK data does -- and it is embellished and improved > in areas to bring it to their data >specifications, especially in geocoding > and pathfinding. Yes I accept the imperfections of the ordnance survey data, but if the results for the user as so poor as they appear, the software has in my opinion been released too early, and the hype has been over the top. We as blind people have enough 'false hopes' to cope with without over-exuberant claims from manufacturers - perhaps a fact that it is now difficult for you as a Pulsedata employee to keep in mind. I speak to sighted peopele who use tracking and route-finding software in their cars, and they do use the software; no mention of motorways not being included, and most sighted commercial software has many parameters or variables that the user can input to define the specifics of the route to be produced. If the software were not viable, no commercial firm with any sense would buy it. We should expect the same. I await Pulsedata Europe's reply - I wonder if they will either send me the upgrade just ignoring my message, or whether they will bother to give me some reassurances. I know that's not your area of jurisdiction, Jonathan, but I really do feel that a product that is being sold internationally must offer the same useability to all its customers. Now I won't start on the question of e-books etc. (smile). Thanks for your time, and I will certainly let you know how the issue resolves itself. --- TheJazzDen - the best UK, US and around-the-world jazz - www.thejazzden.org.uk now with broadband and modem streams! --- Broadband: put http://listen.thejazzden.org.uk:10025 into your player. --- Dial-up: put http://listen.thejazzden.org.uk:10023 into your player. --- Essentially Natural - Our own hand-made soaps and cosmetics using natural ingredients now accepting credit cards online: http://www.e-nat.co.uk. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Braillenote List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "Contribute Braillenote" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 3:20 AM Subject: Re: [Braillenote] gps mark 2 > > > > > Hi Don and others interested in this thread. > > Firstly, let me apologise to you for the delay in responding to your > original post to the list on this subject. I always endeavour not to dodge > the tough questions and to respond in a timely manner. Unfortunately, I was > unexpectedly admitted to hospital eight days ago, and then when I got home > was under strict instructions to leave work-related things alone, something > that just about drove me even further around the twist than I normally am. > > Firstly, there are a couple of feature suggestions you've offered, such as > the ability to find a particular town, which we'll definitely consider for > future releases and I appreciate the ideas. > > The most vexing issue you raise of course relates to data accuracy. Like > any product of this kind, we're not in the business of generating this data > ourselves, we must buy it. This is a very specialised area that is done by > companies who provide data for a range of GPS applications such as those > used by cars, transport and other professionals. We had minimal beta > testers in the UK, so we're only really learning now where they may be some > issues that we need to take up with the data providers. We've already > lodged inquiries with them and take the matter very seriously. What I have > been able to establish at this stage is that The data starts with the > Ordinance Survey as all UK data does -- and it is embellished and improved > in areas to bring it to their data >specifications, especially in geocoding > and pathfinding. > > We're passing on your specific findings, looking forward to further > feedback from customers about data integrity issues, and are committed to > doing what we can to improving things. This data is not something over > which we have direct control but rest assured we want the best product we > can give you, that's both in your interests and ours. I'll keep the list > posted as we make progress. > > Jonathan Mosen > BrailleNote Product Marketing Manager > Pulse Data International Ltd > > DDI: +64-3-373-6192 > Fax: +64-3-384 4933 > Mobile: +64-21 466 736 > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Internet: www.pulsedata.com > > > ___ > To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit > http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.541 / Virus Database: 335 - Release Date: 14/11/2003
