Going for the hitchhiking bird trifecta:
HEY, I was doing just fine! Go find your OWN branch!
There are branch managers, and then there are BRANCH MANAGERS.
#bird #birds #branch #branchmanager #hitchhiking #hitchingaride #glide #trifecta
#glide
Continuing the hitchhiking bird theme...
When an Uber driver gives a Lyft driver a lift:
#bird #birds #seagull #gull #hitchhiking #hitchingaride #glide #soundon #uber #lyft
Glide... glide... glide... hitching a glide...
When a vulture hitches a ride for a bit:
#bird #birds #vulture #sky #hitchhiking #hitchingaride #glide #soundon #nature
#Glide Field Notes & Testing – May 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5vp8H7UeJY
#Glidance #OandM #orientation #mobility #blind
#3DFX dominaba en su día con su #API propietaria #Glide. El desarrollo de #OpenGL (y más tarde de #Direct3D para atarlos a todos en las Ventanas) permitió a otros fabricantes de tarjetas gráficas como #NVIDIA que los desarrolladores de software pudieran utilizar hardware alternativo manteniendo la compatibilidad.
Es irónico que NVIDIA ahora haga con #CUDA lo mismo que hacía 3DFx con Glide. Bueno, no lo es. Es el cuento de siempre.
Skyborne Challenge Morph Festival (Glide) - Throne and Liberty
https://freediverse.com/videos/watch/0d594b2f-036c-4136-80f1-434a71c07341
Congratulations to the team at @glidance on another award and further recognition as they get closer to what is going to be an amazing mobility aid. Looking forward to receiving mine later this year. They are a great team of people who are really getting involved with their audience, and in my view prove that the best way to make sure your offering is aimed at the right people, is to get them involved. Much credit to you and continued success to you moving forward. #Glide https://glidance.io/glidance-wins-sxsw-competition/
He'd been at the bar for a long time and was drinking his third scotch when the music started up. He looked over his shoulder and saw that a young woman had started playing the piano. Her fingers seemed to #glide effortlessly over the keys. She moved smoothly from one song to the next. She wasn't using sheet music, but playing from memory. But not just playing the notes. Her music was invested with feeling, spirit, and soul. He closed his eyes, swept away by the sound and his memories.
Today's Wandering Shop Stories #prompt is #glide. Feel like writing something short and sweet that has the word "glide" in it? Check out the definitions of the word at: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glide Join in and tag it with #wss366! #writing #WritingLife #microfiction h/t @asakiyume
#glide : to pass along without noise, violence, or apparent effort
- French: glisse
- German: gleitet
- Portuguese: deslizar
- Spanish: planear
------------
Fill in missing translations @ https://wordofthehour.org/r/translations
#Glidance #2024 Year-in-Review: #Celebrating the #Evolution of #Glide & Our #Community
https://glidance.io/glidance-2024-ai-technology-for-blind-review/
#blind #LowVision #mobility #AI
Ars Technica: I keep turning my Google Sheets into phone-friendly webapps, and I can’t stop. “For things that are bigger than a note or dry-erase board but smaller than paying for some single-use, subscription-based app, I build little private webapps with Glide. You might use something else, but Glide is a really nice entry into the spreadsheet-to-app milieu. The apps it creates are the […]
NASA is delaying the launch of three missions to study the sun by several months because of issues with the primary payload. IMAP was once scheduled to launch in 2024 but has slipped several times. The delay impacts GLIDE and SWFO too.
#imap #glide #swfo #nasa
NASA delays launch of heliophy...
@undead vibes and creative interpretations. Let's leave gaping holes in defining language so the oracle of 9 must be consulted to enumerate an arc of intentions. Turn it into a bag of 6, now every card's a winner. Surprise, dealer wins again. I know what would happen to me if my job was to write policy and procedure only to convey incoherent nonsense. What it must be like, struttin' like a cluck.
#MuzakLessons #Pantera #Respect #Walk #THUMPASAURUS #Struttin #SCOTUS #Run #Strut #Glide #Spin
Diverse Responses to Glidance: A Snapshot of Community Perspectives
Overview: A Community Divided by Hope and Caution
The Glidance device promises to revolutionize mobility for blind people by offering an alternative to traditional aids like canes and guide dogs. It uses advanced sensors to detect obstacles and guide users along the safest path. While many are excited about the possibilities, others question its practicality and reliability. Responses range from enthusiastic support to cautious skepticism, illustrating the complex relationship between the blind community and emerging assistive technologies.
The Enthusiasts: “A Game-Changer in Mobility”
Some users are excited about Glidance's potential to increase independence and transform mobility for blind individuals. For these advocates, the promise of avoiding obstacles and exploring new environments is worth the risks of being an early adopter.
- **Bill**, who tested the prototype, shared his optimism:
“It gently guided me away for safety reasons… Honestly, if you can, I'd highly recommend checking it out. I truly believe this is a game-changer.”
- **Chris**, reflecting on losing residual vision, stated:
“The two things I can’t wait for… are being able to walk down a street knowing I won’t bang into anything… and being able to go to a new place where Glide can take me to that pub everyone raves about.”
The Skeptics: “Cold Mechanized Mobility”
Others were more skeptical, raising concerns about Glidance's practicality compared to established tools like canes and guide dogs.
- **DK1234** dismissed the device as a poor substitute for a guide dog:
“This sounds like a sad attempt at creating a robotic guide dog… I will stick with my loving and alive dog guide. Hahahahaha.”
- **Mr.G** highlighted the risks of over-reliance on technology:
“I think it would be a bad idea to rely 100% on tech to get you around. What happens if the battery runs dry or it breaks when you’re out?”
The Pragmatists: Balancing Hope and Reality
Many respondents struck a middle ground, appreciating the innovation while cautioning against abandoning traditional mobility skills.
- **SusanKing**, an inquisitive participant, sought detailed information:
“What are the materials used? … When you said you felt motors vibrating, did the device actually propel itself, or was motion based on your physical push?”
- **Tony ** acknowledged both the potential and the need for a fallback:
“If it works, it could be transformative, but I’ll still take my cane along, at least on the first trip.”
Comparators: Drawing on Past Experiences
Some respondents contextualized Glidance by comparing it to existing aids.
- **Betty ** reflected on guide dog use:
“When I had my guide dog, I could always tell the gap by my dog’s positioning and movement while boarding or disembarking from a train.”
- ** Kelvin** noted the device’s quality, referencing prior prototypes:
“The body of the unit is metallic… like fancy luggage, but much higher quality.”
Themes in the Conversation
1. **Excitement for Innovation:** Enthusiasts view Glidance as a potential “game-changer” that could redefine mobility for blind users.
2. **Concerns About Practicality:** Skeptics raise issues about weight, internet dependency, and the loss of traditional mobility skills.
3. **Realism and Caution:** Pragmatists and comparators encourage balanced adoption, advocating for a blend of old and new technologies.
4. **Community Engagement:** Many praised Glidance’s developers for involving users in the design process. As **SeasonKing** put it:
“It’s almost as though they are showing potential customers, ‘Here’s a product; what improvements would you like?’… Rinse and repeat.”
Summary of the Discussion
The responses to Glidance demonstrate a community grappling with the promise and uncertainty of new technology. While some see it as a revolutionary step forward, others remain cautious, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional skills and planning for tech failures.
What unites all these voices, however, is a shared desire for greater independence and inclusion. Whether through canes, guide dogs, or innovative devices like Glidance, the blind community continues to explore the tools that best meet their diverse needs.
Final Thoughts
Glidance’s reception highlights a vital lesson for developers of assistive technology: community engagement is key. By listening to the experiences and concerns of potential users, companies can refine their products to better serve their audiences. As the device evolves, it will be fascinating to see whether it fulfills its promise and how it ultimately reshapes mobility for blind people.
#Accessibility #Blind #ComputerVision #Disability #GDBA #Glide #Glidance #RNIB
This is the line I see over and over again:
“While technology offers promising alternatives, it's essential to recognize the unique benefits that guide dogs provide beyond navigation, such as companionship and emotional support.”
If this is true, if these benefits are so unique, why do only 2% of blind and visually impaired people in the UK currently use a guide dog?
#Accessibility #AI #Blind #Disability #GDBA #Glide #Glidance #RNIB
ESE-Steuerung: LEGALES Auspuff-Tuning? FLEX MY RIDE: TUNING #2
https://themotorbikechannel.com/ese-steuerung-legales-auspuff-tuning-flex-my-ride-tuning-2/?feed_id=19904&_unique_id=6731abab11e26
Source: ESE-Steuerung: LEGALES Auspuff-T...
#Auspuff #davidson #ese #getuned #glide #harley #harleydavidson #illegal #Kesstech #legal #racestart #road #roadglide #Steuergerät #Steuerung #tuning #umbau #umgebaut
**Mobility, Not Companionship: The Case Against Over-Reliance on Guide Dogs**
As a blind person who does not use a guide dog, I often find the discourse around emotional support and companionship frustrating, even offensive. For me, mobility is about getting from point A to point B safely and efficiently—not about forming a bond with an animal. While guide dogs have been life-changing for some, the constant justification of the massive guide dog industry feels like it overshadows the real issue: ensuring blind people have access to effective mobility tools that work for them.
### The Cost of Exclusivity
The numbers speak for themselves. In the UK, Guide Dogs for the Blind spends around £120 million annually to support approximately 4,000 guide dogs. That’s an enormous investment for a solution that serves less than 2% of blind people. Meanwhile, the other 98% of us are left with canes or whatever limited mobility aids we can afford. How is this fair or sustainable?
If technology like Glide can provide the same—or better—mobility support at a fraction of the cost, why wouldn’t we pursue it? Glide’s potential to scale and reach more people could finally democratize mobility solutions for the blind. It’s not about replacing guide dogs for those who want them, but about addressing the glaring gap in accessibility for the majority of blind individuals who are currently underserved.
### Mobility Over Emotion
The insistence on framing guide dogs as companions rather than mobility aids feels like a distraction. While it’s wonderful that some find emotional support in their guide dogs, mobility should remain the core focus. A blind person navigating a crowded city, a busy train station, or an unfamiliar neighbourhood needs a reliable mobility tool—not a companion.
If society shifted its focus to developing and funding scalable, technology-driven solutions like Glide, more blind people could achieve true independence. Emotional support is a personal choice and shouldn’t dictate mobility policy for an entire population. Let those who value the companionship of a dog choose it, but don’t let it overshadow the broader need for effective, accessible mobility tools.
### Breaking the Industry Monopoly
The guide dog industry has had decades to make mobility accessible, but its exclusivity remains a barrier for the vast majority of blind people. By clinging to the guide dog model as the gold standard, we risk ignoring or underfunding innovative solutions that could better serve the broader community. Glide’s potential to disrupt this monopoly should be celebrated, not dismissed.
### Moving Forward
Let’s refocus the conversation. Mobility is about independence, safety, and efficiency—not companionship. Guide dogs are one solution, but they shouldn’t monopolize resources or dictate the future of blind mobility. It’s time to invest in scalable, technological solutions that serve everyone, not just a privileged few. For the 98% of us who don’t use guide dogs, tools like Glide could finally offer us the increased, stress-free, independence we deserve.
This isn’t about tradition versus technology. It’s about fairness, practicality, and addressing the real needs of the blind community—mobility, plain and simple.
**The Future of Mobility: Glide, Guide Dogs, and the Question of Choice**
As technology advances, questions arise about how new innovations like Glide might reshape traditional solutions such as guide dogs. If Glide proves as effective as a guide dog in navigation and mobility, could society decide the massive cost of maintaining guide dogs is no longer justified? While this scenario might seem logical on paper, it introduces a complex mix of ethical, practical, and financial considerations.
### Ethical and Social Considerations
Guide dogs are more than mobility aids. They are companions, confidants, and symbols of independence for many blind people. Forcing a shift to technology alone would overlook the emotional bond and trust that a living animal provides. This raises an important question: would blind people who still prefer guide dogs face societal pressure to "settle" for a pet dog instead? The emotional significance of guide dogs must be acknowledged and respected.
Moreover, guide dogs play a cultural role in how blindness is perceived. Their presence in public settings symbolizes independence and confidence. Phasing them out entirely might unintentionally alter how disability is viewed and supported. Choice is crucial. Society should aim to expand options, not restrict them. Glide’s arrival should be about complementing existing aids, not replacing them wholesale.
### Practical Challenges
While Glide holds promise, it’s unlikely to replicate every function of a guide dog at first. Emotional support is irreplaceable, and some individuals may feel more secure with a living companion. Additionally, complex navigation scenarios—such as crowded train platforms or unpredictable outdoor environments—might still favour a guide dog over technology in the early years.
For Glide to justify a significant societal shift, it must not only match but exceed the reliability and versatility of guide dogs. It also needs to be affordable, widely available, and supported by robust infrastructure. Accessibility is key; society must ensure Glide is as universally viable as traditional solutions.
### Financial Realities
Guide dogs cost about £30,000 per year per working dog, amounting to £120 million annually in the UK for 4,000 dogs. While this investment transforms a relative handful of lives, it’s clear that not all blind people can access or afford a guide dog. Glide could offer a scalable, cost-effective solution, making advanced mobility aids more widely available.
However, transitioning entirely to technology comes with upfront costs, including research, production, and training. Reallocating funds away from guide dogs could alienate those who depend on them, making it essential to strike a balance. Glide’s success should not come at the expense of the emotional and practical needs of existing guide dog users.
### Preserving Choice
The future of mobility should focus on providing blind people with a "toolbox" of options: cane, guide dog, or Glide. Each person’s needs, preferences, and circumstances are unique, and society must ensure that no one feels forced to compromise their independence or well-being.
This isn’t about replacing tradition with technology but about broadening horizons. Glide could revolutionize mobility, but its true success will lie in complementing—not eliminating—the trusted solutions that have empowered blind people for decades. Let’s embrace evolution, not impose it.
#Accessibility #AI #Blind #Disability #Glide #Glidance #GuideDogs
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