View Full Version : choosing a computer
jacki_conner
10-01-2007, 10:04 PM
Hi!
I am new and have no idea what I am doing so please bear with me if I'm in the wrong spot on this site. My dad was diagnosed with ALS last month. My mom wants to buy a laptop computer and we want to know if there are any programs or hardware that she should have included on her computer that might be helpful adapting the computer later to help him communicate. Thanks! Jacki
joelc
10-02-2007, 10:44 AM
WINDOWS VISTA - the new windows software has some really good features like on-screen keyboard and speech recognition program built right in.
Be prepared to replace your computer with a new one if you want to use it as VISTA is resource hungry. Get a computer with a dual core, at least 1 gig of RAM and 100gig hard drive as a minimum. I recommend 2gigs of RAM and 250 gig hard drive as the cost these days is so affordable.
IT WORKS GREAT
quadbliss
10-02-2007, 03:28 PM
Hi Jacki,
I don't know where your dad lives, but if he is in the US, I recommend he seek out an ALS clinic. They will have a Speech Pathologist who will be very informed about your dad's present and future computer needs. They will probably also have some loaner equipment available. :-D
Mike
ilgal
10-02-2007, 04:08 PM
Mike,
I go back to the ALS clinic for my 2nd visit (1st following dx) next week. Have appt scheduled with the MD. I would also like to talk to speech pathologist about computers, voice banking, etc. as it is becoming ever harder to talk. Do I need to call ahead and get that set up? Their info talks about the great team approach, but I only saw doc and he then phoned me to say diagnosis. I live about 70 miles away so don't want to make lots of trips if they can be combined. I just don't know how ALS clinics work so would appreciate advise.
Thanks.
quadbliss
10-02-2007, 04:27 PM
Most ALS clinics have a weekly "clinic day" in which the patient sits in one room, and the specialists rotate through. Be sure to pack a lunch.:-D
Mike
CindyM
10-02-2007, 05:53 PM
Thanks Mike- that was interesting about the "clinic day." I did notice that when I was at the clinic some patients were brought in on gurneys by ambulance drivers and then transfered to wheelchairs. But I am in with everybody so I doubt I've seen the special "clinic days" yet.
Windows VISTA works great if your voice still works. I use it at work and am starting to use it at home. Haven't figured out a way to make it work with non-microsoft software yet- like DreamWeaver or Macromedia Flash but then again I just started.
Hope everybody is enjoying their evening. It was warm enough to sit outside this evening and watch the sun set. Nice! Cindy
jacki_conner
10-02-2007, 10:10 PM
Thanks for the tips. I'll pass the info along to my mom. He has already been to the clinic in Houston. Hopefully he has many years before we really need to worry about it, but you never know, do you? Anyway, thanks again. I'm sure we'll be back. Jacki
