Thread Subject: Re: real-time text

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From: Jim Tobias
Date: Thu, Jun 21 2007 1:30 PM

>
> Line by line isn't real-time. Some people contend that it
> is but it is near-real-time or pseudo real time at best.

You say it isn't; I say it is. The distinction is whether it is
server intermediated or "pure peer-to-peer".

> Most IM for example does flow through a server and is stored
> and forwarded.
> Did you ever notice that sometimes the message doesn't appear
> right away? I was on Skype call just last week and it took 9
> minutes for a message I sent to someone when I was talking to
> them - to arrive (and for theirs to get back to me). They
> did arrive but only later. Usually (but not always) it isn't
> stored for more than a moment.

You can point to a Skype server? This is news.

> The fact that IM is stored on servers was also a surprise and
> embarrassment to a certain senator who found all his IM on a
> server backup.
>
> Real-time text by comparison is point to point and happens in
> real time as it is generated. It is not a message (as IM is)
> and it is not stored somewhere.
>
> People do say that they converse by email, and by SMS and by
> IM. I even have heard people talk about conversing by mail.
> So the word 'converse' is quite loosely used.

But I'm suggesting we define it. Saying character mode is and line mode
isn't is not the right way to do this.

> The goal is to allow real-time conversation where the person
> can track what you are saying it as you are saying it.
>
> Do demonstrate the difference I think we should create a demo
> where you talk back and forth but the person cannot begin to
> hear what you say until you are done saying it. (Push to
> record and it gets sent when you get to the end of what you
> are saying). It is faster than typing but you will quickly
> see how much slower it is and how it breaks communication conventions.
>
> To try this for yourself - try saying everything to yourself silently
> before you say it aloud on a phone call. Do it for a day.
> It is MUCH
> better than not being able to talk but - not the same as
> talking in real-time.

Let's not focus on the technology platform, but thr underlying function. In
a conversation the user expects to get responses quickly; in a messaging
mode, there is no such expectation.

Although you and Gunnar are right that nothing prevents people from using
line-oriented text, adding the character mode requirement effectively
eliminates line mode technologies from compliance, and I think this is a big
problem.

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