Dear Listers:
It is true that you can use a regular asynchronous modem (aka ASCII modem)
to access the TDD Relay with a PC. As Brian pointed out, you do need a
terminal emulation program, which the BN doesn't have. It's not necessary
to have a Baudot modem but in my experience I've found the Baudot modem to
be more effective in communicating withthe TDD Relay because most ASCII
modems are too fast for the TDD Relay.
In order to use the aSCII/baudot modem that Ultratec sells, you need a
terminal emulator program, which the BN currently doesn't have. The
PacMate does use the Ultratec ASCII/Baudot modem with special terminal
emulation software that runs on the PacMate and sells for $1200. (Yes,
twelve hundred dollars.)
Since AIM (AOL Instant Message) runs on the PacMate, you can access the
three TDD relay services on the Internet using their AIM name to make
relay calls. you can also do this on the PC. Also Hamilton Relay has
come out with a special software package to enable hearing impaaaired
users to use their Internet Relay from their PCs. I don't know much about
this software. I believe you can also access the TDD relays on t he
Internet with Internet Explorer but I've never tried this and I could be
wrong.
I think the reason it can't be done from the BN with Keyweb may be because
of JavaScript or the URL schema they use that doesn't work with Keyweb at
this time. It would be great if we deaf-blind could access one of the
internet TDD Relay services on the Internet via the BN, especially during
a power outage. the Untratec external modem requires electricity to run
or a UPS during a power outage.
In order to use the Ultratec ASCII/Baudot modem withthe BN, it would be
necessary to have a terminal emulator program that would work with it.
this would have to be written specifically for the BN (just as it was for
the PacMate). This might be more dificult to write than a teminal
emulation program to be used with an ASCII modem.
I was hoping there would be a tDD solution for the BN either via the
Internet (accessing one of the TDD relay services on the Internet) or
using an ASCII modem and terminal emulation software. I believe Humanware
is designing a stand-alone TDD but I have no details about it. This means
one more device to carry around.
HTH ... Barb
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