Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

Sorenson comments on Interoperability (4/15/05)

Sorenson Media made very good argument regarding interoperability in this FCC comments. It is approximately 50 pages long with plenty of details and points from their business prescriptive.

Sorenson played important role for our deaf community by their innovation with videophone products and its service. They mentioned they are working on 911 emergency systems which impressed me the most. Also, next generation videophone is on its way – we should see them everywhere this fall/winter 2005.

As you realize that VRS and even IP-based relay service online are very much open to anybody – which are very competitive. This is not like we have contract with state and/or federal for its traditional relay services does. (TRS)

It remind me of Microsoft, AOL, and Yahoo are very much competition. They are willing to invest into new ideas, more features – anything to attract people out there in the markets. In this comment, Sorenson made good example what happened to AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) which ended up court argue that they refused to work out interoperability with each other. As results, consumer suffered and forced to install all three IM programs on their desktop for couple of years. Now, we see more 3rd party programs that support all IM clients into one program. (Such as Gaim, Jabber and Trillian)

Yet, AIM still operates on its own “closed” system and now they have gotten become important piece in deaf community since they now offers relay service. We should have complained that there’s no relay service on Yahoo & Microsoft but we did not. Why? We’ve moved on and become AOL’s favorite IM. No questions about it. (See page 25)

Same thing with Sorenson’s situation right now – yes we are pretty much stuck with it but be happy we have wonderful products. VRS is still in baby stage and we will continue see many issues for while – possibly next few years. Yes, it’s growing pain among interpreter shortage, lack of awareness and more.

In this comment, Sorenson also mentioned about Ultratec CapTel technology. Unfortunately, CapTel is going be widely used for time being. Again, it is not that bad – we have to weight what’s best and deal with it.

What we really need:

• We need new face such Microsoft with deep pockets who is willing to invest in this market such as videophone without license. At this point, I don’t know if any business or organizations that are heavily into research & development like Sorenson does.
• Give it times to go thoroughly all issues – it will mature (better) in few years.
• We are stuck with both units for now if any. Just like we deal with multiple instant messaging programs till you find one that you like the best and stick to it.
• Competition is good. They poured millions of dollars in job opportunity, charity and best of all, R/D department.
• It would be cool to have 3rd party vendor that handle system between VRS and consumer. Think of money saving and standard in videophone system.
• Maybe it is time for one or more VRS provider to take its role to increase budget or to launch their own R/D department. Be very aggressive.

Biggest disappointment is that we have to deal with telephone number & IP address. It’s no fun trying to find one of these to make it work each other. I’ve tried “no-IP shown address” service and they are not easy to follow instruction. Obviously, thousands will not able to do it either. Anyway, you can set up free or nominal fee by using one of those two services to keep your IP private while using it with your friends.

1. http://www.no-ip.com/services/page/free/dynamic/dns
2. http://www.dyndns.org/services/dns/dyndns/

I have no idea what FCC is thinking about all this. It is very difficult case — no question about it. I know they will made decision whichever is best for deaf community. If Sorenson is required to do interoperability after FCC decision, it’s going be interesting to see what they will do next.

Bottom line, no matter what you think – it is okay to disagree with one or another. That’s why you have a choice. I am not kidding about it.

Grant W. Laird, Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Click picture to view bigger version.

Hobbit love to play with laser pen. He’s so obsessed with it. Will do anything to chase it everywhere in the house.

You should try sometime with your cat or dog. (Sidekick2)

Grant W. Laird, Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Approximately 10 years ago, I remember it very clearly during our friend’s wedding. My father’s family also attended this wedding – we all have good times. My family is deaf, too.

After wedding, we had receptist at different building. Our long-time interpreter was there for their wedding and we were chatting about our jobs, our lives and all that. She knew me pretty well since she interpreted for me often at my job at Lewisville at this time.

I don’t remember her name (interpreter) but I will call her Jane.

Anyway, we happened to discuss about my childhood background where my father refused to allow me to have speech therapy all of my lives at deaf school and public school. I told her that if I actually able to receive my normal speech therapy just like all other deaf children, I probably will able to talk little better than what I can do today.

At this point, I still regret about it and wish I would receive it no matter how Deaf I am because it would help me greatly at workplace, with my own children, and in general. It’s always struggle for me to get 100% communication daily and I’ve witnessed several of my friends who can talk well. I think they are very fortunate that they can talk whether they can hear or not.

My father who raised in catholic-controlled school which mandatory used oral all of his childhood and he still used it today with his hearing aid. He can talk 50% of the time on phone with amplifier. He doesn’t like to use relay service at all. Yet, he still doesn’t want me to get speech therapy at school just because I am Deaf.

Of course, he is well-respected and tough-love figure father successfully fought with school system (Deaf school in Pittsburgh, PA & public district in Arlington, TX) that they must respected my father wish and allows waiving me from taking speech therapy.

Back to wedding event, I decided to tell my father out of blue that I was unfortunate that I had to go thru my childhood without speech therapy all times front of Jane and my wife Misty. He was so pissed off and threw fit himself on us. Big time – you know, I was simply bring it up on few things I might regret for what my parent have done just like everyone else.

Of course, I decided not to bring it up with him ever again. It is pointless – way too late to fix from the past.

Bottom line, every one deserves to learn some basic speech during childhood which will become important piece in their lives forever.

Majority of deaf population are well trained speech therapy with or without hearing aid usually become independence and successfully in their lives. My father is one of them so does my uncle and aunt.

Grant W. Laird, Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com