Re: GPS and navigational stress

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Posted by John Galloway on August 22, 1999 at 05:10:06 AM EDT:

In Reply to: Re: GPS Global Positioning Systems posted by Brian Matchick on August 17, 1999 at 05:40:36 PM EDT:

: : GPS is another date driven computer disater simnilar to y2k waiting to happen.

: GPS is not affected by Y2K. The only glitch may
: occur on August 22, but for a very different
: reason. Modern receivers should not be affected.
Correct, the GPS rollover is due to only having
10 bits for the week count. So since the system was started up in 78, 1024 weeks later the week count rolls over, a modern receiver should have no problem (and so far, since this just happend, none have been reported and the system itself is functioning just fine).

: Review the computers map VERY well before
: starting out, too. Nothing is more stressful
: than being in the right lane, five feet from
: the light and having the computer say, "turn
: left." :)

This is not about GPS, but about stress from navigation errors while driving. Many people, regardless of their vision, get very stressed out when they miss an exit or a turn. I have adopted an opposite attitude. I EXPECT to miss turns especially when going somewhere new, since sometimes I can't quite read the sign before its too late. So what? Just make a U turn at the next one, or go around the block, etc.

I have on occasion missed an exit, taken the next one expecting to turn aournd, found that exit not to have a mate in the opposite direction, had to go on to the next exit on this (now different) freeway, etc. So what? Its an adventure!! I can give a new driver (BiOptically enhanced or otherwise) no better advice, than to just relax, have fun, enjoy the drive, you'll get there eventually, wrong turns and all. Never do something you are not comfortable with (e.g. due to heavy traffic or being in the wrong lange etc.) just to make the "best" route, the next turn will do just as well (even if you have to go over a bridge, pay a toll, turn around and come back, and yes I have done so, on the golden gate no less..but the view is so nice 8-)

-jrg

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Comments:
: : : GPS is another date driven computer disater simnilar to y2k waiting to happen. : : GPS is not affected by Y2K. The only glitch may : : occur on August 22, but for a very different : : reason. Modern receivers should not be affected. : Correct, the GPS rollover is due to only having : 10 bits for the week count. So since the system was started up in 78, 1024 weeks later the week count rolls over, a modern receiver should have no problem (and so far, since this just happend, none have been reported and the system itself is functioning just fine). : : Review the computers map VERY well before : : starting out, too. Nothing is more stressful : : than being in the right lane, five feet from : : the light and having the computer say, "turn : : left." :) : This is not about GPS, but about stress from navigation errors while driving. Many people, regardless of their vision, get very stressed out when they miss an exit or a turn. I have adopted an opposite attitude. I EXPECT to miss turns especially when going somewhere new, since sometimes I can't quite read the sign before its too late. So what? Just make a U turn at the next one, or go around the block, etc. : I have on occasion missed an exit, taken the next one expecting to turn aournd, found that exit not to have a mate in the opposite direction, had to go on to the next exit on this (now different) freeway, etc. So what? Its an adventure!! I can give a new driver (BiOptically enhanced or otherwise) no better advice, than to just relax, have fun, enjoy the drive, you'll get there eventually, wrong turns and all. Never do something you are not comfortable with (e.g. due to heavy traffic or being in the wrong lange etc.) just to make the "best" route, the next turn will do just as well (even if you have to go over a bridge, pay a toll, turn around and come back, and yes I have done so, on the golden gate no less..but the view is so nice 8-) : -jrg

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