Documentation for Personal Communicator CD-ROM
Version 2.4
June 30, 2001

Included in this documentation you will find System Requirements, Getting Started instructions, and Trouble Shooting pointers for using the software on the Macintosh and Windows compatible computers.

For operational instructions, refer to the online help facility within the software.

This ReadMe document is also contained on the CD-ROM in a file called "Readme.txt".

For Technical Support, please see the Troubleshooting section below, then call 1-800-500-1554.
You will also want to vist the ASL Browser website and the ASL Browser help page.

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System Requirements
===================

Macintosh version:
1. Any Power Macintosh compatible
2. 32 MB of RAM (64 MB of RAM or better suggested)
3. 256 colors at 640x480 pixels or better
4. Double-speed CD-ROM Drive (300K/sec) or better
5. MacOS 7.5 or later
6. QuickTime 3.0 or later (QuickTime 5 included on the CD-ROM)
7. (optional) English Text-to-Speech 1.5 or later for Speech Capability (included on the CD-ROM)
8. (optional) Frame-Capable Web Browser for ASL Browser Web Site

Windows version:
1. Any IBM PC compatible with at a Pentium processor
2. 32 MB of RAM (64 MB of RAM or better suggested)
3. 256 colors at 640x480 pixels or better
4. Double-speed CD-ROM Drive (300K/sec) or better
5. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 or better
6. QuickTime 3.0 or later (QuickTime 5 included on the CD-ROM)
7. (optional) Microsoft SAPI and English TTS for Speech Capability (included on the CD-ROM)
8. (optional) Frame-Capable Web Browser for ASL Browser Web Site

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Getting Started
===============

These instructions assume that you have general operating knowledge of your computer, specifically how to navigate files and folders and open applications.

1. Turn you computer on and let it boot into the appropriate operating system.

2. Insert the Personal Communicator CD-ROM.

The program should start automatically.

If the program does not start automatically, locate the "PCOM" file on the CD-ROM and double-click on it.

3. After several seconds, you will see the Personal Communicator splash screen. Click the mouse button to continue.

4. If you receive a message that states that QuickTime is not installed, you must install it. Click the "Install QuickTime" button and follow Apple's QuickTime installer instructions. After installing QuickTime, you may have to restart your computer.

5. If you receive a message that states that text-to-speech is not installed, you have the option of installing it. Text-to-Speech allows the software to convert text to spoken English. Click the "Install Speech" button and follow the installer instructions. After installing Speech, you may have to restart your computer.

6. If QuickTime and text-to-speech are installed, or if you "continue" without installing them, you will be presented with the Personal Communication main menu. From this menu you can choose the ASL Communicator, the ASL Playroom, or the ASL Browser.

-->ASL Communicator<--

The ASL Communicator includes a simple Word Processor that will convert your typed text into American Sign Language and Speech and an English to ASL Dictionary that allows you to look up signs. With more than 2500 digital video signs and 4500 English words (plus variations on these words) the ASL Communicator can be a useful tool in communication, education, and other environments.

-->ASL Playroom<--

The ASL Playroom is for you to not only learn new signs, but have fun along the way. Included in the playroom are objects that react to your mouse click with audio and video feedback. After the feedback, you will receive a sign related to the object.

-->ASL Browser<--

The ASL Browser is a World Wide Web based front end to the signs available in the ASL Communicator. The entire web site has been included on the CD-ROM for your convenience. You will NOT need to be connected to the Internet to use this web site. However, you will need a capable web browser (see below).

The ASL Browser was designed for a web browser that supports frames and the ability to embed QuickTime movies. If your web browser does not support these features, the ASL Browser web site will not work properly for you. Capable browsers include Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or later, all of which must include the Apple QuickTime Plug-in (included as part of the QuickTime install on the CD-ROM). If a capable web browser did not come with you computer, contact your local deal for information on how you can obtain one.

You can access the ASL Browser directly from you browser by selecting "Open File..." and then choosing the "aslweb.html" on the CD-ROM.

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Trouble Shooting
================

-->Program is Slow<--

The computer's architecture and processor speed affects performance. The faster the computer, the faster the program will run. Similarly, the faster the hard drive and/or CD-ROM drive, the faster the program will run.

It is also possible to copy the complete contents of the CD to a local hard drive for faster performance if your CD-ROM drive is double-speed or less.

-->Computer Locks Up<--

When the computer is processing a large amount of data the computer may take several seconds to complete the operation. During this time you will not be able to do anything and it may seem as if the computer is locked up. However, If you can move the mouse pointer around the screen, it most likely is NOT LOCKED UP. Just be patient and after the operation is complete, you will regain control of the computer. (During this time the mouse pointer is often in the form of a watch.)

However, if you cannot move the mouse pointer around the screen, the computer is probably locked up, in which case you will have to restart the system. See the "Out of Memory Problems" section below for more details on preventing such problems.

-->Install QuickTime does Not Work<--

If, for some reason, the "Install" button does not work in the software, you can run the QuickTime installer manually. It is provided on the CD-ROM for your convenience.

On the Macintosh, locate the "QuickTime Installer" application in the "QuickTime" folder on the CD-ROM and double-click on it.

On Windows 95/98/NT/2K, locate the "QuickTimeInstaller.exe" application in the "QuickTime" directory on the CD-ROM and double-click on it.

-->No Video is Displayed<--

If the signer is not visible in the software, it is most likely that QuickTime is not installed or not installed correctly. To alleviate the problem, install QuickTime. QuickTime installation files are located on the CD-ROM.

There have been situations where the software will display the warning message that QuickTime is not installed when, in fact, it is. If video clips display correctly, just ignore the warning message.

-->Install Speech Does Not Work<--

If, for some reason, the "Install" button does not work in the software, you can run the Text-To-Speech installer manually. It is provided on the CD-ROM for your convenience.

On the Macintosh, locate the "Installer" application in the "English Text-to-Speech 1.5" folder in the "Apple" folder on the CD-ROM and double-click on it.

On Windows 95/98/NT/2K, locate the "sapi.exe" file in the "Speech" folder on the CD-ROM and double-click on it. Afterwhich, locate the "msttsa22l.exe" file in the "Speech" folder on the CD-ROM and double-click on it.

-->Computer Does Not Speak<--

If the computer is not speaking when you think it should, first check the Preferences menu in the ASL Communicator or ASL Playroom. The menu should include Speech Preferences. If Speech Preferences do not appear in the menu, text-to-speech is most likely not installed. If Speech Preferences does appear, text-to-speech is installed, but either you have the volume turned down on your computer or you need to adjust the Speech Preferences.

-->Out of Memory Problems<--

The program runs on machines with 32 MB of RAM; however, it is possible that the program will NOT run or not run smoothly with 32 MB of RAM if you are running multiple applications at the same time or if the system software is taking a lot of memory. It is good practice to quit all other applications before running the program.

If you continue to have low memory problems, characterized by the lack of sound, images not displayed properly, or even the occasional computer freeze or crash, there are several possible solutions:

1. Restart the computer. This will make sure that no other applications are running. Additionally, it will sometimes free up memory that the system software was using.

2. Use Virtual Memory to increase the memory available to your application software.

On a Macintosh, if you have 32 MB of RAM, turn Virtual Memory ON and set it to 64 MB of RAM. Virtual Memory works much better if you have System 7.6 or better.

On a IBM PC compatible, Virtual Memory should be ON as a default. However, Virtual Memory will not work well if your primary hard drive (probably C:) is nearly full.

Consult your computer manuals or on-line help for details.

3. You may want to add more memory to your computer. As system software and multimedia titles increasingly become memory intensive, 32 MB of RAM is rapidly becoming inadequate to support both the system software and the multimedia titles.

-->Technical Support Hotline<--

For telephone support, please call 1-800-500-1554