Word verification

1  Why is word verification necessary?

2  What happens if I have a visual impairment and can't decipher the word verification letters?

3  Why isn't the word verification working?

4  What if I forget my special word?

During the call

1  Can I use emoticons (e.g. smileys) during an internet relay call?

2  I am used to using a TTY. Do I use the same contractions when I use internet relay?

3  I am used to using SMS. Do I use the same contractions when I use internet relay?

4  What is the maximum number of letters I can type in the conversation box?

5  Can I change the colours or the size of the text on my screen?

6  During a call, can I type a message, press ‘Send' and continue to type and Send (like in standard MSN)?

WORD VERIFICATION

1  Why is word verification necessary?

Word verification is needed to stop calls from computer ‘robots' making repeated spam on the NRS call page. These robots might be generating ‘calls' for prank or possibly fraudulent purposes. Thus the call page has a box where you need to enter six randomly generated letters that are shown in an image above the box.

2  What happens if I have a visual impairment and can't decipher the word verification letters?

If you have a visual impairment and cannot read the letters in the word verification image, contact the Helpdesk and request a ‘special word'. This will simply be a unique group of six characters you can enter in the word verification box each time you make a call. The special word will be unique to the NRS internet relay user and can be used any number of times.

3  Why isn't the word verification working?

There is a 12-15 second ‘timeout' for entering the letters. If you take longer than this to enter the letters the verification will sometimes fail even if they are entered correctly.

Word verification is not case sensitive. So it doesn't matter if you enter an upper case "M" or a lower case "m". However the letters shown in the image are all lower case, so make sure you don't think that an "l" (as in "lion") is a large "I" (as in "Iron"). It will always be the former.

4  What if I forget my special word?

Just call the Helpdesk and we will give you another special word.

DURING THE CALL

1  Can I use emoticons (e.g. smileys) during an internet relay call?

No, because there no fixed meanings for most emoticons, so relay officers will not always know how to relay them as voice.

2  I am used to using a TTY. Do I use the same contractions when I use internet relay?

You can use contractions in an internet relay call just as you would for a TTY.

Particularly it is a good idea to use:

• Brackets for comments/questions to the relay officer
• ‘SKSK' (stop keying) when you are finishing

You can also use 'GA' (go ahead) when you have finished a section of the conversation. Although, unlike a TTY, you have a Send button that tells the relay officer you have finished your section of the conversation it is still helpful for the relay officer if you use ‘GA'.

3  I am used to using SMS. Do I use the same contractions when I use internet relay?

Please don't use SMS contractions. The role of the relay officer is to relay your call (by voice or TTY). The relay officer may not be able to voice your words if you use contractions that don't have a clear, unambiguous meaning.

4  What is the maximum number of letters I can type in the conversation box?

You have 400 characters including, spaces, questions marks etc. If you type more than 400 characters, the extra will not be sent to the relay officer. The message screen has a counter that ‘counts down' the number of characters you have left as you type.

5  Can I change the colours or the size of the text on my screen?

Yes, click the ‘Display Options' tab on the call page and you can easily change the font, font size and font colour for your part of the conversation, the text you are receiving or the system messages. Then press ‘Save'. You can make these changes at any time during the conversation.

6  During a call, can I type a message, press ‘Send' and continue to type and Send (like in standard MSN)?

This would mean you are sending new conversation while the relay officer is reading out your previous sentences. It is not advisable to do this because unlike a standard instant messaging conversation, with internet relay you have a third party, the relay officer, in the middle who will have trouble keeping track of overlapping conversation threads.