Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm
From: rbarth@tumtum.cs.umd.edu (Dick Barth)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: TDD bulletin boards?
Message-ID: <14945@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 12 Oct 90 18:25:29 GMT
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Reply-To: rbarth@tumtum.cs.umd.edu (Dick Barth)
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Index Number: 11084

 In Digest #1561, Ann Stalnaker writes:

     > To: rbarth@tumtum.cs.umd.edu (Dick Barth)

    Thanks for the info, Dick.  For some reason or another, I always
    thought you had to have special software in addition to the TDD modem.
    Guess I was wrong...

 One way or another, you have to convert the computer's ASCII to Baudot.
 If you use a TDD modem that does the conversion internally, then you
 can use some of the common communications packages like Qmodem, Telix,
 Procomm, et. If you use a TDD modem that doesn't convert code, then you
 need special software.

    However, I just can't see paying the cost of a TDD modem so one can
    use it on a BBS along with a second line.  I feel that in time TDDs
    will be obsolete and laptops used in their place.  I'm looking forward
    to seeing this because I'll take any CPU over any of my TDDs.  I've
    reached a point to where I detest using my TDD as it seems such a
    hassle having to use a third party to relay messages back and forth.
    I guess you can say I'm a bit spoiled as I sure enjoy the speed of
    my 2400 bps modem (hoping for a faster one soon) along with a full
    screen monitor along with color.

 It doesn't matter whether people are deaf or hearing, some of them like
 computers and take easily to them, and some can't stand the things. If
 I were given a choice (as we all are, of course) I'd much prefer to use
 a computer. Some people prefer TDDs for a variety of reasons. For one,
 there are a lot of TDDs out there and if you want to talk to a deaf
 person, the TDD may be the only way to get hold of him. Second is the
 higher cost of a computer or ASCII-compatible TDD; you can get an el
 cheapo Baudot-only TDD for about $160. Computers are more, as are the
 TDDs that can use ASCII. Also there's the "deaf pride" aspect. TDDs
 were invented by a deaf man for use by the deaf and they're part of
 the "deaf communications network". There's a strong emotional pull
 toward continued use of the things for some people. I agree completely
 that if every TDD were replaced tomorrow by a computer, the world would
 be better off. But it's not going to happen tomorrow, nor any time soon,
 I suspect.

    I just see so many possibilities with a CPU over a TDD and want to
    show other HI folks who've never used one how much nicer it is.
    Technology has improved so much and will continue to improve, so
    who knows what the future may bring us all.

    Ha, ha - yep, I got the comments!  Thanks and I know I tend to be
    a bit opinionated...but that's ME!  (grin)

 Aren't we all?     :-)

-----------------------------
Richard Barth, W3HWN,  rbarth@tumtum.cs.umd.edu
Handicapped Educational Exchange... (301) 593-7033 (TDD & 300 baud ASCII)
                                    (301) 593-7357 (300/1200 baud, 8N1)