gc2
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posted on September 4, 2002 02:47:35 PM new
Let me begin by saying this has nothing to do with eBay - except that there are some very smart and computer-savvy people who post here who might have some suggestions.
I have a friend (older person), who has recently been computer-contacted by a friend from "way back"...the fifties or so, as I understand it. They have a lot to say to each other, which brings us to the problem.
They live in different cities, and long distance is not an option -- nor for some reason is a computer microphone hook-up (already suggested that).
My friend's friend writes very long emails with lots of info and lots of questions.
But my friend is only a "hunt-and-peck" typist.....she spends hours to only partially respond to one email, and of course, has a lot of questions she wants to ask, etc.
I've already suggested ye olde "Typing Tutor", but that "would take too long". I've also suggested a tape recording, but that would admittedly create a lag that would confuse the correspondence to some extent.
Now - I don't use a scanner, and know little of how they work. Could my friend write letters in longhand and scan them into her computer, then email them?
Or what other (better?) suggestions might some of you have?
Sorry this is so long, but didn't know who else to appeal to. Thank you!
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dacreson
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posted on September 4, 2002 02:58:58 PM new
There is a program out now (actually been there for years) of voice transition to written type. The problem is it was not very good. (IE I have an accent so don’t do well) This program has improved and MIGHT be a solution. Check with any good Computer store and expect to pay 100-150 for "pro". If that is to much try writing letters? A seemly forgotten art
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sn0bbish
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posted on September 4, 2002 03:25:25 PM new
those programs are awesome after you spend the 4 hours getting them set up. maybe if its not an inconvenience they could have a friend who is better at typing type out the emails for them? may be a little tedious but much better than taking a few hours to type one email. i know that at 1st that is what my grandma did when she 1st got into emailing but she practiced typing and once she got better she did her own email. maybe this is not an option but i dont know what else to suggest.
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alldings
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posted on September 4, 2002 05:31:21 PM new
A scanner takes a picture. You could write in long hand, scan it and email it. Just treat it like a photo not sure of the clarity, that might take some doing.
I used to be a hunt and peck typist. By using a typing tutor I've up graded to a two fingered 10-20 word per min two fingered typer.The tutor help me learn where the keys are so I don't have to scan the whole board looking for letters. I might have spent 5 hrs with the tutor and have been typing with two fingers instead of one for a few years! I'm sure that with an hour or so of practice a day for a few weeks I could learn to do slow touch typing. Which would be much faster than I'm going now!
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robertsmithson
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posted on September 4, 2002 05:44:27 PM new
Long distance phone calls are not that expensive any more. My friend and I each signed up for the Sprint 2000 minute plan for $20/month. As long as both callers are Sprint users they can talk for one hour each for every day of the month if they alternate calls ( 16 hours each ). There are after only 6 PM restrictions for the caller on weekdays and no restrictions on the weekends.The callers can call anyone they want as long as they are Sprint users with the 2,000 monthly minutes. We've had the plan since it first came out about three years ago.
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Roadsmith
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posted on September 4, 2002 05:52:32 PM new
I've been sooooo grateful in recent years that I took typing in high school!
I have the Dragon program, which is voice recognition. Got it to try to transcribe some old 1800s family diaries for the rest of the family; they're hard to read and peering from them to the computer and back again seemed awfully bulky. But my two forays into using it have been a bit discouraging; I speak standard American English, midwest style, pronounce correctly, and it still can't pick up as much as I'd like.
If I were this lady and still dextrous with my fingers and still having all my brain power, I'd study typing, a little every day. You're never too old.
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Libra63
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posted on September 4, 2002 07:53:39 PM new
They must have ancient computers. There is a hook up for a microphone in the back of the hard drive. Yahoo has an instant message and so does MSN. I can't believe that they can't communicate that way. I know you said they couldn't but I bet if theylook at the back of their Hard drive you will find a place for a $5.00 microphone. (Office Max)
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NearTheSea
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posted on September 4, 2002 09:41:53 PM new
Yeah, microphones are cheap. And there is a place called Paltalk, its free to download, been around for about 4 years, and you can talk via microphone that way...kinda like the old cb radio or amatuer radio. its at
http://www.paltalk.com
[email protected]
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gc2
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posted on September 5, 2002 01:52:12 AM new
Thanks, everyone, for your help!
The people on this board are always so very generous when they see a need.
When I first suggested the microphone hook-up, there was some murmur about "schedules"...but I'm thinking there may be a hearing problem involved too (which may also be why the telephone is not an option, although I know there are some devices available for phones for the hearing impaired (as well as a special 800 number service).
But I will suggest the scanner, as well as the 'voice recognition' program.
I will encourage her to begin on a "Typing Tutor" program, although I can't find the one like I used some years ago. (The one where the letters bombed the city...anyone remember it?)
But right now, it seems they have a lot to say (and maybe they aren't sure how much time they have left to say it in).
Again, thanks to all!
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rarriffle
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posted on September 5, 2002 02:23:38 AM new
In our little town we have a computer club that does free lessons for seniors at a senior citizen center. they also do tutoring at shutins homes.
you could call your local seniors organization, they may have someone who will come and tutor or even type the emails for your friend.
Good luck in your endeavor.
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pelorus
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posted on September 5, 2002 06:14:38 AM new
Your idea of longhand and scanning is very clever. How about cheap fax machines on both ends as another option? You can get one for $80 at Office Depot.
I hope these two people get their communication method worked out.
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rgrem
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posted on September 5, 2002 06:35:27 AM new
Check with any local Jr. college. They all have typing classes. Often a hands-on instructor-led approach is far better. And they will have the computer-keyboard stuff available also. The important thing is learning the keyboard, and that is where the instructor comes in. Get up to 4-5 words per minute, and then a typing-tutor will increase that speed.
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twelvepole
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posted on September 5, 2002 08:04:12 AM new
She could also make a .wav file of her talking to send in response to the email.
She may need to make several files and send them separately but this could also work.
Ain't Life Grand... 
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Roadsmith
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posted on September 5, 2002 08:20:11 AM new
How far apart are the cities these two live in? It would be wonderful if they could get together for a weekend or a week, and perhaps family and friends could contribute to the expenses.
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