Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

Deaf Community has depends on Instant Messaging more than anything else except email these days. Big time.

I remember AOL first launched “buddy list” for its members only. I was not member of AOL but I thought it was so cool. Later on, AOL decided to open outside AOL – I immediately signed it up but I can’t find anybody to chat with. I knew many deaf people are members of AOL. I did grabbed them and start chatting with them. Of course, they got freaked out. Heh.

Of course, AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) became instantly popular everywhere. It did not take them long to figure it out – they started offering AIM via cell phone. I had Nextel cell phone (not full keyboard mobile) at this time. I got exciting that I was able to communicate with my friends and family via AIM on its 10-keys pad. It works like charm.

It’s almost 10 years (I think) and almost every deaf and hearing people has one by now. What’s more, many of you guys have multiple AIM screen name for different reasons. I do have few screen names myself such one for work, one for mobile, etc.

Now, we can use IM to make relay phone call. We also can use it to get information such as directory or ask for help. We even can use it to make video call. (not perfect tho) It’s amazing.

Right now, I think many deaf people (not all of them) did not realize that they are not netiquette sometime. They often left their IM overnight. It annoys me because if they are on IM, they are available for chat. If they are away for while, its okay to have “away” message. However, if you’re going bedtime or get off from work, please do logoff your IM. Sometime you forgot, that’s okay – it happened to me sometime, too.

A lot of people do have weird screen name, some of them are easy to recognize and some are clueless. I had to ask who is this frequently because I am old man – I can’t remember it all. I know some people have screen name something like “x1did99yb” – geez!

If you don’t know what IM Netiquette is, it is time for you to learn. There’s good information online where you can read and get familiar with IM Netiquette. We also have Email Netiquette, too - check it out!

Why am I bring it up now? This is your refresher

The Basics of Instant Messaging

1. Instant Messenger is Not Real Communication.
2. IM Etiquette and Sundry Interpersonal Matters.
3. All About Acronyms.
4. On Cybersex and IM Hookups.
5. So, You’re Away.
6. The Secret Life of Personal Icons.
7. Random Pointers and Other Remainders.

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

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

I received this letter from Lifelinks VRS last week. It is rather disappointment — I was able to receive free webcam from them directly. They also paid my Comcast account for one month but they probably already cancelled my account.

One of my friend said if it is too good to be true, it probably won’t last and he was right. I know that many deaf people signed up when they were in Fort Worth during Abababa Tour last February.

Did Lifelinks VRS misleading deaf community? I wonder…sigh. 

From: Lifelinks Customer Service customerservice@lifelinks.net
To: Lifelinks Customer Service customerservice@lifelinks.net 

Subject: Discontinuation of Free Web-Cam and High Speed Internet Reimbursement Program

Dear LifeLinks Users,

On behalf of LifeLinks, we would like to thank you for using our service. LifeLinks is honored to be the Deaf community’s VRS and we are determined to provide communication for a better world.

We are sad to announce that our free Web-Cam offer and High-Speed Internet reimbursement program have ended. Web-Cams will no longer be distributed and we are no longer accepting new applications for free High-Speed internet. However, we are proud to say that we have donated all web-cams in stock, and during this offer thousands of Web-Cam’s were given away and we were able to install High-Speed Internet into hundreds of households.

Unfortunately, our offers have been abused and we have recently found that many of our gifts were obtained by those /outside/ of the Deaf community. For this reason we are forced to place all current internet payments on hold until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that you be patient during this process.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service representatives:

Email: customerservice@lifelinks.net
VP#: 69.18.207.166 (request customer service rep)
TTY#: 212 714-9889

On behalf of LifeLinks, we would like to thank you for sharing yourselves with us and allowing us the opportunity to fulfill our mission of being the community’s VRS.

Sincerely,
The LifeLinks Family  

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

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Note: I did summarize what this is all about in my video in ASL. It is about five minutes long. I hope I did okay on it. Let me know what you think after you watch this video.

As you know we already celebrated 25th anniversary with closed captioning since its 1st launched. Closed captioning is one of the biggest breakthroughs for deaf community. We all now can learn and enjoy TV shows. Believe it or not, it is not perfect at first time – it took years to become common feature everywhere.

Just keep in mind that captioning on video online is not mandatory. This is something that there’s people (NAD, congressman, etc.) are working on it and push it into law in near future. My biggest concern is that if we don’t have solution for it, then they may have slim chance to get it pass.

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