Msg: 739 *Conference*

10-27-91 08:59:21

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : BARRY WAGNER

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #734 (FILE COMPRESSION)

It seems to me that you could wire a phone jack into your computer, then build
a remote switch with a phone plug that fits the jack.  When you're walking
around with your 102 you use the on/off switch normally.  When you're
stationary--under the constant on/off switching that you do all day long--you
would plug the external switch into your 102 for on/off switching.  Phone jacks
come in 3-terminal configurations.  When nothing is plugged into the jack the
jack acts like it's not in the circuit.  If, however, something plugs into the
jack, then the third terminal shunts the circuit through the plug to the
external device, giving the external device full control.  The effect is the
same as when you plug earphones into a radio, shutting off the internal
speakers in favor of the earphones.
 
I am pretty sure this will work.  How handy are you with a soldering iron, do
you understand simple electricity, and what is your level of detail work?  If
you feel "good" about your abilities then we could proceed.  If you do not feel
good about your abilities then take this message, and your messages leading up
to this one, and your computer, over to a local radio repair center and discuss
these ideas with a repair person.  Let them look your computer over and perhaps
offer to take on the liability of altering your computer.
 
-Rick-
 
PS To capture all this entire message thread, use the <-> command to travel
back through the messages until you come to the original message.  Next, open a
capture file by tapping your <F2> function key, responding with a filename, and
hit <enter>.  Then, use the <N>ext feature to go through all the messages in
the thread.  Lastly, tap your <F2> function key to close the file.  You may
then go offline and print the entire message thread for use as you see fit.