Likewise, I was one of those who thought I would never use a touch screen
device. One day I had some extra time on my hands. I downloaded several
podcasts on using the ipod touch. The more I listened, I said to myself, I
want to get one. And I got one back in 2010. I bought a Ipad mini last
year and use it inplace of my victor reader stream.
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Quinn
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2015 6:10 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: new technology and touch screens
I have to admit I was kind of the same way. I was like, "why get an iPhone,
i=
t's just a glorified iPod. "I first got an iPod back into thousand nine.
And=
now, I love the I devices.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 11, 2015, at 4:45 AM, Colin McDonald <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote=
:
>=20
> did someone say you are retarded for not wanting to use an IPhone or
> touch=
=20
> screen? If so then they are an asshole.
> If it don't float your boat, then don't use it. But don't turn around
> and=
=20
> complain about how access is not being built into new devices and=20
> technologies when it can so easily be intigrated. Apple has done this,
> an=
d=20
> done a fantastic job of it too.
> So, what you call for and suggest should be done, has been done, and
> then=20=
> you refuse to use it because the interface is not comfortable for you.
> Li=
ke=20
> I said, if you don't like the touch screen no one is forcing you to use
> it=
.=20
> But, at least one forward thinking company has made a serious effort
> to=20=
> develop something integral to the device which allows nearly full access
> t=
o=20
> everything the device can do...and it's right there to be used...your
> wish=
=20
> has been granted at least in some small way
> And, apple, by example, is leading the charge...I'm starting to sound
> like=
=20
> an apple convert which I'm not. I don't like the way the products are=20
> designed or the way the user is directed and limited as to what they can
> d=
o=20
> on the device...there are many things I dislike, but the one thing I do
> li=
ke=20
> is the fact that I can get a top of the line brand new piece of
> technology=
=20
> which is fully accessible and instantly usable out of the box without
> havi=
ng=20
> to program, or buy additional software to gain access.
> Everyone has a choice as to what they want to use. But complaining
> about=20=
> the lack of access in new technologies, and then saying you won't use
> what=
=20
> is out there and available seems a bit ironic to me.
> The IPhone itself has given access to many previously unaccessible pieces
> o=
f=20
> technology through app control and wireless connectivity...I predict
> that=20=
> within the next 5 years, every piece of electronics will have android
> and=20=
> IPhone app support to control it...essentially making everything
> accessibl=
e.=20
> Washers and dryers, fridges, stoves, microwaves, tv's, house hold
> lighting=
=20
> and heat/air conditioning will all have intigrated wireless control
> via=20=
> mobile device...many of these already do, though the price point is
> still=20=
> higher than average.
> You would be amazed at what is out there now that has wireless=20
> access...coffee makers, meat smokers, home stereos, cooking and
> medical=20=
> thermometers, thermostats, microwaves, ovens, washers and dryers...the
> lis=
t=20
> goes on and on and on as to what you can buy and download an app and
> contr=
ol=20
> with your phone...and most of those apps are accessible. It's way way=20
> beyond the geeky half assed computer control systems of 10 years ago
> and=20=
> more where you could control your heating, lighting and a few other
> things=
=20
> via your PC with some expensive control hardware and software.
> So you can say it's not for everyone, you can say your not comfortable
> wit=
h=20
> the interface and that others shouldn't try to convince you otherwise,
> but=
=20
> where are you going to be in 5 years when access is sitting right there,
> a=
nd=20
> you don't have it because you don't want to use a touch screen? The
> horse=
=20
> and buggy senario is apt here. When other blind people who took the
> plung=
e=20
> and learned to be comfortable with the new interface are comfortably=20
> accessing all this stuff in the next few years, are you still going to
> be=20=
> complaining that access is not being put into devices? The old way of=20
> thinking, where we wish to have things talk to us directly or beep or=20
> whatever to give some kind of feedback is not realistic anymore. We
> can=20=
> gain access in this new way though via a device like an IPhone, IPad,
> IPod=
=20
> or android/windows device instead and it's smart to learn to use it
> now=20=
> rather than later.
> Bluetooth keyboards are becoming popular even amongst sited users to type
> o=
n=20
> their touch screen devices...I also predict that apple will release a
> devi=
ce=20
> with a full QWERTY style keyboard within the next few years as=20
> well...essentially blowing away any complaints about the tediousness
> of=20=
> learning how to use a touch screen as a blind person. yeah, it's not
> easy=
,=20
> and it can be frustrating when coming directly from something with
> buttons=
=20
> on it, but it's not impossible and it can only help not hinder access.
> Th=
e=20
> tactile screen protecters from speed dots are invaluable for new users of
> a=
n=20
> IPhone who are switching from button phones. It gives you a tactile
> point=
=20
> of reference, like a button, and allows you to more easily learn to use
> th=
e=20
> device...and if you leave it on then fine no one cares.
> Get too far behind the curve though and it'll only be harder to catch
> up=20=
> later on. There is a logic to all of this and if you can see yourself
> pas=
t=20
> the initial difficulties, the logic will pervaille.
> This is not a passing fad, or a simple fashion accessory or the new
> fangle=
d=20
> toy of the day...it's way way more than that. And, we as blind
> consumers=20=
> and those who desire greater access are right in the thick of it. It's
> a=20=
> golden age of access rather than inaccess.
>=20
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> -----Original Message-----=20
> From: Butch Bussen
> Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 9:03 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: scanners?
>=20
> What you and many other blind people don't realizde is that the touch
> screen isn't the answer for us all. You may love it and be very good at
> it, but that does not mean it is great for all of us. It has always
> amazed me, and I see this particularly among the blind, something like,
> if I love it and use it and I think it is the best thing in the world,
> everyone else should think so and if we don't we're some how retarted.
> I'm just not comfortable with touch screens, give me a key board or
> buttons.
> 73
> Butch
> WA0VJR
> Node 3148
> Wallace, ks.
>=20
>=20
>> On Sat, 10 Jan 2015, Colin McDonald wrote:
>>=20
>> well, I ain't going to change your mind, I've learne that after 10
>> years,=
>> but the touch screen is allot easier and more user friendly than you
>> migh=
t
>> think on the IPhone.
>> Especially if you use a tactile screen protecter for the first while
>> to=20=
>> help
>> you get used to the screen spacing.
>> It really depends on what you use your phone for and how much mobile
>> connectivity you need. It took me a long time to give up my nokia's
>> with=
>> talks, but once I made the decision to accept the IPhone, it didn't take
>> long to get used to the touch screen interface and become very quick and
>> efficient with it...using things like Siri, dictate and so on the device
>> becomes exceedingly powerful. It has it's faults and cons, but every=20
>> smart
>> phone does regardless of touch screen or buttons. I think the upside
>> far=
>> out weighs any downside or faults the phone may have including the=20
>> learning
>> curve on the touch screen interface.
>> Believe me, I was firmly placed in the anti-IPhone camp as well a couple
>> years ago...then I made a mental decision to just do it because that is
>> where the accessibility is, and once I did it was allot more pleasant
>> tha=
n=20
>> I
>> thought it would be.
>>=20
>> 73
>> Colin, V A6BKX
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John Miller
>> Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 7:09 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: scanners?
>>=20
>> Touch screens are still something I hate. Not saying they're unusable
>> by=20=
>> us
>> but I can't get the hang of the one on my android phone and I've had
>> it=20=
>> over
>> a year. I hope to avoid them on anything else as long as I possibly
>> can.=20=
>> I'd
>> never spend the money for an Iphone, I don't like mac anyway but the
>> touc=
h
>> screen is a major nonselling point to me.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Butch Bussen" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 8:45 AM
>> Subject: Re: scanners?
>>=20
>>=20
>>> Yep, I agree totally. Sad part is I think we're losing access these
>>> day=
s
>>> when the technology is there to help if they would just use it. I'm
>>> talking everything from internet pages to new appliances with touch
>>> screens. And of course there are those who think just because they can
>>> use and love their i phones, that an i phone is the solution for=20
>>> everyone.
>>> grrrrrrr.
>>> 73
>>> Butch
>>> WA0VJR
>>> Node 3148
>>> Wallace, ks.
>>=20
>>=20
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