Inter_Comm
by Gerry Kennedy
Inter_Comm
For PC Compatible computers running MS Windows 95/98/NT
Inter_Comm from Widgit
NOTE: Requires Writing with Symbols 2000 Version 1.6 on the same computer – and an Internet Service Provider account – for access to all features of the program.
Inter_Comm is the program symbol users have been waiting for, as it is a powerful addition to Writing With Symbols 2000 (Version 1.6 required). It allows symbol users to send and receive emails that include symbols and icons. There are various word lists that can be used (including the popular PCS [Picture Communication Symbols], most commonly known and used in the ubiquitous Boardmaker publishing software).
Inter_Comm is targeted at all age levels. Inter_Comm is designed to foster development in the areas of general literacy including reading, writing and spelling as well as for communication. Users can access Inter_Comm by switched mouse, standard mouse, trackball or joystick, standard, mini or enlarged keyboard as well as a single switch.
Inter_Comm opens up the text-based world of email to symbol users in as much as they can compose and receive emails using their preferred symbol-based wordlists. Users MUST possess and have the Widgit software, Writing With Symbols 2000 (Version 1.6 specifically or higher), installed on the computer with Inter_Comm in order to function with symbols. Inter_Comm allows owners of Writing With Symbols 2000 to send emails that include symbols to support the text-based content of their message. If the email recipient also has Writing with Symbols 2000 and Inter_Comm on their computer, they will see the symbols sent by the sender.
It provides users of any age the opportunity to correspond in a meaningful and appropriate manner. They can compose in Inter_Comm and see and hear their text message with Rebus or PCS symbols. Users can also press the [F12] key to toggle between different meanings and context of words (e.g. saw – as to see in the past tense, or the action of sawing a log, or the tool ‘saw’). If you have digital images, photos or clipart assigned to words, they will also appear in your email.
If the recipient is a Rebus symbols user, they will see Rebus symbols to support the text, yet if the recipient is a PCS user they will see PCS symbols. Inter_Comm operates in a way that allows individual recipients to receive text supported by the particular symbols used in their own preferred wordlists. You can customise your wordlists (by using the Resource Manager) or by features in the Image menu in WWS 2000.
Another advantage and mainstream use is when an Inter_Comm user receives an email, Inter_Comm will also automatically insert appropriate symbols into the email – even if the email has been sent from a standard text-based email program such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Dingo or Eudora. I have successfully sent emails from Hotmail and Yahoo sites. Extraneous text (such as the ‘less than’ and ‘greater than’ symbols appear in forwarded messages, advertising and other text) appears but the main text message is fine. Simple messages seem to work best. The user can also listen to their email after it is received, so it accommodates non-readers and poor readers. It is an ideal package in junior primary, for new arrivals or users who have English as their second language.
Traditional email programs tend to be complicated and unsuitable for non-text users. Inter_Comm makes e-mail easy whether the student or adult user is writing, reading or replying. Its strongest element is that it is accessible to all people, text and non-text users alike. It is also fully switch accessible. All the functions that you are accustomed to using in a mainstream application are provided – but are simplified. No other email program is required. Many different ideas, feelings and information can be shared through symbols. Using environments made in Writing with Symbols 2000, symbol users can use their preferred symbols to communicate electronically. The program is fully adaptable for different users and icons can be chosen to identify and denote the user (you can use a photograph, drawing or digital image for each user). One copy can serve a whole classroom with as many different users as you wish. Security screens (optional) mean that individual privacy is maintained. Each user can have his/her own password at log on as well.
SO HOW DOES IT WORK?
It must be stressed that Inter_Comm will only send symbols and text to another Inter_Comm user (i.e. in order to see symbols you must have WWS 2000 and Inter_Comm as the recipient). Recipients with mainstream packages (e.g. Outlook) will then only receive the text. If a symbol user receives an email from a non-symbol user Inter_Comm will then automatically add symbols to the message as it is downloaded (from your Wordlist in WWS 2000 that you have allocated to the user). These symbols are taken from the wordlist installed on the computer. Despite constantly growing wordlists, some words will not have a symbol in the user’s chosen wordlist. These will be replaced by a symbol from another wordlist if that symbol exists. When symbol users communicate between each other it is likely different wordlists are used – for example; a PCS symbol user may be sending a message to a Rebus symbol user. Inter_Comm deals with this by ‘translating’ from one set to another, meaning the sender sees the message with PCS symbols and the recipient receives the message supported with Rebus symbols. Again when no symbols appear in the chosen wordlist Inter_Comm will try to source the symbol from another. This is all performed transparently – and is dependent upon how you have set up the user’s Profile settings.
Of course, Inter_Comm requires an email account with an Internet Service Provider, but the software replaces the usual text based interfaces. You can still run and launch your other email package(s) but any new mail received will be accepted by the application that is open or launched first. Ideally, schools or families will require individual accounts or email addresses so as to avoid confusion and emails “received” in the non-preferred application (i.e. in Outlook rather than Inter_Comm and vice-versa!).
SIMPLIFY EMAIL FOR ANY USER
Use an Address Book of photos of the recipients or symbols that represent the recipient. Compose an email simply click on their photo! Inter_Comm has a pictorial symbol-based menu bar for main email functions (e.g. sending email; writing a new message; viewing Inbox and Outbox/Sent messages; changing user and logging off). These symbols can also be altered, deleted or customised for individuals by using other symbols, clip art or photos. You can immediately use pre-made Writing with Symbols 2000 “environments” to send text, phrases or symbols into the email message screen (as onscreen keyboards) or create and design your own environments.
Please note: To use Inter_Comm with symbols appearing in the email, Writing with Symbols 2000 Version 1.6 is required on both the sender’s computer and the recipient’s computer. As noted above, however, it can function as a standard text based email package when the recipient does not have Writing with Symbols 2000 installed on their computer.