Hi folks,
Just a short report on what we've discussed during our chat relay
test between TeamTalk and Conversation Station:
* Connection: connection on TeamTalk was fine with people able to
hear each other. Connection with Conversation Station was fine
as well.
* Audio: In the beginning, people who use TeamTalk could hear
Conversation Station participants, but Conversation Station
listeners couldn't hear TeamTalk. Solved by one of our members
disconnecting the headset when TT users were talking so that CS
listeners can listen to TeamTalk users.
* Using a single medium for chats: some said we should go with
Conversation Station alone to account for people who don't have a
computer. But others pointed out that some international
participants would like to join (particularly HumanWare reps from
overseas) and it costs them money to call a United States
not-mber. Some suggested doing it with TeamTalk alone, but this
idea was quickly rejected since not all BrailleNote users have
computers. Others suggested Skype for chats, but an issue with
setting up recording came up. In the end, participants decided
to postpone the decision on chat medium until next time after
surveying the others on various lists about what chat service to
use.
* Setting up a dedicated group just for chats: One member
inquired about perhaps setting up a chat group just for chats.
However, others said that this move defeats the whole purpose of
realtime chat, with some stating that the chats are here to allow
HW to hear our concerns and comments in realtime and to get
updates from HW on issues raised during the chat with instant
feedback.
* Chat recordings: One of the TeamTalk user (who was relaying to
Conversation Station) commented that there is a person who uses a
program to record phone conversations, and said if we could try
that method to record phone chats. Some users described or
attempted a number of techniques, including putting the phone
close to a computer's microphone or speaker (with echos) or using
a line-in cable between the phone (in case of cell phones) to a
computer to record phone conversations.
* Overall logistics and chat setup: A number of people expressed
concerns on using the relay method, with the two reasons being no
control over who is speaking (especially between phone and
computer users) and problem of one party not hearing what the
other party is saying, with a relay person sitting in the middle
relaying messages from one chat medium to another and this being
extra work.
Among other ideas, tests and such. So in bottom line: the relay
chat between TeamTalk (computer users) and Conversation Station
(phone users) sort of works and we have the basic foundation in
place; but we might have to choose one chat medium or another (or
combination of whatever) if consider participation from others
around the world, audio quality, logistics and recording. Thus
we'd like to invite you to a short survey on what we wish to do
about our chat services.
Thanks for your considerations.
Cheers,
Joseph
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