>>  BM> The TTY numbers that I call from my computer in hyperterminal mode
 >>  BM> function like online chat, so there's no operator at all,
just me on
 >>  BM> my keyboard and the callee on his.  That works all right, AFAIC.

 >>  Really? NO Operator in betweeN???? Well then! ha!

 > You should be able to try this out for yourself by
 > calling any business that advertises a TTY number.

 >> That means the
 >> hearies in my life have no excuse wrt 'talking through
 >> a operator."
 >> the only PROBLEM is.. if you're going to call them
 >> don't they have to
 >> be online too? hmm.

 > Yes, they have to have some kind of setup; I don't
 > know whether it necessarily constitutes "being online,
 > " but they need a setup that will ring or otherwise
 > signal to them if you call, so they can then answer.
 > One of the sites mentioned when researching the phone
 > for work was www.harriscomm.com/catalog/ and another
 > was www.hearmore.com; maybe they have descriptions of
 > what is available.

One caveat:  If you decide to look into this, think carefully about your
previous experiences.  Your younger brothers, for instance, won't buy it,
either physically or emotionally.  You'll have to give some thought as to
whether the operator-haters will accept real-time keyboard chat. If they
will, and you still have the TTY and they have computers, is there a way
they can call your TTY direct from a hyperterminal program?  Will your TTY
signal an incoming call and talk with a communications program?

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