Above: The user interface

Persons who use the sign language can participate in SignForum discussions by using the client software to record a message. The message is then sent to the SignForum Server in the same way as conventional text messages, this making SignForum very easy to understand and use.

When a user views a previous message the video file starts automatically.

SignForum is built around these ideas; 

• Communication between users using an interactive forum system.

• Integrated video recording and insertioin of video messages into the forum system. 

• Messages are stored which makes them available for other users in the future.

The Client software: Add video to your message

Sign language users can easliy leave video or text messages by using the client software to make them available for other users. The client software runs as an embedded program in Internet Explorer. The client uses a very user friendly interface that is easy to operate.

The user has the opportunity to perform five different functions in the client software:

• Record - The user records himself/herself to a tempoary video message. Optionally added by text.

• Play - Plays the recorded video. A simple way to check before publishing the video message.

• Erase - If the user wants to erase a video message and not publish it.

• Send - When the user wants to publish the video message to the forum in the Internet.

• Settings - The user can change the brightness, saturation and contrast etc for the camera. 

Take a closer look at our demo forum at http://www.signforum.org if you want to see how it works. Note that you can only see the replay function if the recording component not is installed in your computer.

Who stands behind SignForum?

• The system has its origin in the project "Teckenspråksforum" financed by "Centrum för flexibelt lärande" within the LOTS-project, for use in flexible education with deaf adults. See http://www.cfl.se.

• Swedish Connection is responsible for the server solution which enables the possibility to store video contributions on the server. http://www.connection.se . 

• Omnitor is responsible for the client solution which enables the user to create video contributions in sign language and send them to the server.