LifeLinks VRS
30 01 2006
Our newest VRS competitor - LifeLinks LLC - That’s right, no kidding.
LifeLinks originally designed for VRI service and as well as several cool products which exclusively for hospital and court purpose. They apparently saw huge opportunity in growth and jump into VRS industry. They are still baby company and they are expected to grow strong in few years.
Since they gave LifeLinks presentation in Fort Worth last Saturday — it is little bit different than another VRS vendors. They are not currently offering videophone at all…not yet. Meantime, they are focusing on webcam-based VRS. Also, you can pick VRS operator whichever you like best. You will see picture of each available operator inside Sightspeed software.
Sightspeed software support both PC and Mac. They also support multiple video users same time - I think up to four a time. I can’t remember.
They also offering free Internet access for one year and will give you webcam if you don’t have one.
If you are interested to try it out, you need to do few things first. You will need to use your webcam. (not videophone)
After you install your web cam, go to internet page http://www.sightspeed.com/clubdeaf to download software and register.
When you are finished downloading and register, send an email to helsa@lifelinks.net and give her your sightspeed email address that you will use for VRS.
Enjoy!
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http://www.lifelinks.net/ (more of VRI thing)
- http://www.clubdeaf.com/ (old LifeLinks VRS)
- http://www.lifelinksvrs.com (future LifeLinks VRS)
Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com
Nice. It would be nice if having a Mobile video-interpreting cart for general meetings at work, it could save the company’s budget for having a interpreter.
I also referral this to my disability work organization, and see if they can come up with this.
Dave,
Many organizations like LifeLinks or CSD do offer VRI for fee. Many places such as IBM, Cisco, Motorola, etc in Northeast area heavily use VRI for their deaf employees. In fact, it’s easier to get one thru VRI than in person.
There are no such things as free service. Someone has to pay for interpreter. Many corporate including your work and mine usually don’t mind paying for it because they can write it off on tax.
Don’t be afraid to ask for interpreter for your meeting and training at work. I can get one whenever I need it.
Yes, mobile-version VRS is on the way — I don’t have all details yet but it is awfully early stage in this moment.
Smile!