I gave a presentation over the phone to the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts today about my hike of the Appalachian Trail and was able to give Loadstone something of a plug. Presentations might be a way I can ask for donations on Loadstone’s behalf. Is there anything in particular you would like me to say? Is there anything in particularly you would like me to avoid saying?
One unique strength of Loadstone in my opinion is that it does not require a data plan. This is important for two reasons. First, you can use Loadstone where you don’t get a cell phone signal, as opposed to GPS apps that come standard on an IPhone in my experience. I have used Loadstone when I needed to get up at night while camping. I activated it and went from there. I have also used it to mark hunting stands and fishing spots and other points of interest that are well out of cell phone coverage on my Nokia N82 and N95. Although I don’t have either of these phones, I am confident that I will be able to do the same things with my IPhone. Second, you can use Loadstone if you don’t want a phone contract but want its GPS capabilities. I don’t know why someone would have an IPhone just to use Loadstone but that is an option. Loadstone is the only GPS app that does not require a data plan and is accessible to blind users in my experience. I have heard of blind people using Gaya GPS. That program is, at best, marginally accessible in my opinion. Loadstone does not seem to require much more of a user than other GPS programs. You need to create checkpoint lists but the tradeoff is often greater accuracy than you might get with, say Google or Apple maps in my experience. Those programs can often leave you across a parking lot from your intended destination. You can get much closer than that by saving a location with Loadstone. That is well worth the tradeoff! Mike Hanson _______________________________________________ Loadstone mailing list Loadstone@loadstone-gps.com http://lists.loadstone-gps.com/listinfo/loadstone
