Brett et al:

I concur with your observations and wishes.  However, in the best
traditions of association in America and pressure groups, I see no reason
why Buddy shouldn't fire awway trying to get ham rigs more accessible.  I
know the ham groups in both organizations have talked about this some.  I
share your pessimism, however, that what we say will ultimately make much
of a difference.

In reality, it seems to me that we can thank the stupidity and inability
to learn from experience of designers and marketers at corproations for
the speech devices we do have.  For example, about every six months, we
see noe or more new talking clocks and the demise of one or more that were
marketed in the previous six months.  Why?  Because marketers think "wow!
speech will be a great sales gimmick", only to discover that most people
don't really *want* machines that talk.  But as one talking product dies,
another one is born and the cycle starts over. (grin)

Now if I could only tell what speed my VCR is recording on ...

Mike Freeman <[log in to unmask]>
Amateur Radio: < K 7 U I J >
... Ask not for whom the <^G> tolls.

On Thu, 25 Jul 2002, Brett Winchester wrote:

> Richard Buddy etc. =3D20
>
> While the suggestion we all have are from our point of view worthy and =3D
> perhaps they are as well for others, the sad fact In my perception is that =
> =3D
> engineers do not make the decisions about what features are included in =
> =3D
> products.  Ultimately upper management and or accounting has a greater =3D
> influence along with market realities.
>
> I too have enjoyed   TenTec and am among the few I know that had one of =
> =3D
> their synthesize 2 m hts..  This rig was very easy to use as a blind =3D
> person and for the life of me I do not recall why I did not keep it.  =3D
> Perhaps as memory seems to fade in, the problem was one of the radio being =
> =3D
> dropped too many times or  something.
>
> Nonetheless I fear sales of the speech units were not sufficient or brisk =
> =3D
> enough over the long term to keep  that product in the production line.  I =
> =3D
> also wonder if that is the case for others who have dropped out or are not =
> =3D
> planning speech options for their equipment. =3D20
>
> some main line businesses who ultimately manufacture speech are or will be =
> =3D
> facing the same decision about products in their overall offering.  Sales =
> =3D
> ultimately I suspect will be a determining factor not altruism. =3D20
>
> Recently I have become involved with human factors engineering as a =3D
> consultant and the few companies who are working to be proactive in this =
> =3D
> area are doing so for reasons of federal mandate and aggressive education =
> =3D
> of designers engineers financial  specialists and corporate executives.  =
> =3D
> their main market is business not consumer products as well.
>
> It is refreshing to see this discussion and the well written suggestion =
> =3D
> and I do hope that positive change will occur but I would far more like to =
> =3D
> see accessible cable boxes cell phones microwave ovens ranges dishwashers =
> =3D
> other home appliances, and I have not even began to think about the dvd =
> =3D
> players stereos etc.. =3D20
>
> I can   develop techniques for using the radio or choosing one that is =3D
> useable but alas  the choices in other areas are less likely with far =3D
> wider markets than the ham radio market.
>
>
> thank you!
>
> BRETT K WINCHESTER  PM  KD7JN   VOLUNTEER & READING SERVICES MANAGER
> [log in to unmask]     http://www.icbvi.state.id.us/brochur=
> e/RADIO.HTM=20
> Member IAAIS International Association of Audio Information Services
> IDAHO COMMISSION f/t BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED - ICBVI
> P O BOX 83720,    341 W WASHINGTON,    BOISE IDAHO  83720-0012
> 208-334-3220 ext 104 +7=3Dvoice mail after hours,                    Fax  =
> 208-334-2963
>