Hi Dennis. You said you sent this message off list, but it is on the list. However, I agree with you that a gps product must be accurate if it is to be taken seriously. How can a person accurately plan a rout or get safely get to where they are trying to go if the data is inaccurate? I'd hate to think what would happen if, for example, a ship or aircraft were using a gps with inaccurate data, or a cruise missile, "Oops, didn't mean to blow up your house, we just had the wrong data!
>----- Original Message ----- >From: "Dennis Freedman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: "Braillenote List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 15:41:29 -0000 >Subject: Re: [Braillenote] gps mark 2 >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 >___ >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
