I’m going to Sorenson tomorrow! - Page 2

diehardbiker · 06-13-2007, 10:11 PM

Well, here is problem, most people don't understand nor realize how IP works. That D-link is IP address dependent, and most residential Internet Service have what is called Dynamic Hosting Control Protocol (DHCP), and what that really means is that they can change IP address, depending on ISP server, and you have to find out what is your new IP address, then give to your friends. Too much headache.
And to have to use Sorenson VRS only on your VP-100/200 is outdated. They no longer have that restriction, and it has been like that for almost a year already.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade Runner

Actually on the contrary, Nesmuth could just cut out the middleman and buy a D-link videophone for $150 for his own purposes such as communicating with his deaf client. With D-Link, he wouldn't need to go through Sorenon for business dealings.

Isn't life simple if you can skip all the VRS services that offers VPs with a stipulation attached by spending $150 just so he can talk with his friends rather than meddle with VRS problems? That's something that's pretty important that you have not looked into.

D-Link (Retail) = $150 plus no requirements set forth by the VRS services because Nesmuth will have purchased for himself, not for the VRS services!

VP-100/200/D-Link (free) = free plus severe restrictions and constant harassment from a VRS service that he would be forced to choose! Plus Sorenson stores your address book on their server! Would you really want them to know who your friends are? D-Link (retail) saves your information in its own memory inside the VP!

It's a no-brainer!

D-Link > Sorenson

Blade Runner · 06-13-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardbiker

Well, here is problem, most people don't understand nor realize how IP works. That D-link is IP address dependent, and most residential Internet Service have what is called Dynamic Hosting Control Protocol (DHCP), and what that really means is that they can change IP address, depending on ISP server, and you have to find out what is your new IP address, then give to your friends. Too much headache.
And to have to use Sorenson VRS only on your VP-100/200 is outdated. They no longer have that restriction, and it has been like that for almost a year already.

True, but no one bothered to also educate people on how they can set up a No-IP domain and have a person just call your vp with an website address. Nesmuth can benefit from that.

relayoperator · 06-17-2007, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern

Tomorrow I am going to the Sorenson Open House. They are giving a tour of their facilities. That will be so cool, I am very excited. I can see about VRS jobs when I complete my interpreter classes, (2 years from now! LOL) and ask them how a hearing person can obtain a VP!!!

I know this for a fact. Hearing people cannot get a VP unless they are related to or married to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. They have something else called Envision which is very much like VP just through your computer and not a VP-200 device - and it's free. You just have to download the software and register a number.

Go here: Sorenson VRS

You just need high-speed internet and a functional web cam - yeah I know sucks, but hey deal with what you have.

Have fun at Sorenson Communications.

Ariakkas · 07-04-2007, 10:40 AM

im hearing, and i have a vp100....in my name. as with anything in life, its not "what" you know, but "who".

the reason they wont give them to hearing people is because a)there would be less of them for deaf and b)hearing people dont use relay, and relay is how sorenson makes its money.

besemiasno · 07-04-2007, 11:42 AM

I feel sorry for any interpreter working for Sorenson.

Etoile · 07-04-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by besemiasno

I feel sorry for any interpreter working for Sorenson.

Why?

SxyPorkie · 07-04-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheri

I don't even like Sorenson, because I've been on the waiting list for a year now, and I've just emailed them three times, and finally got a respond back stating this, We will review your application and contact you as soon as we are able to install your VP-100. However, due to the large amount of requests that we are receiving we are not always able to immediately install the videophones.

Again, we thank you for your patience!

I've been waiting for a year, and I'm out of patiences.

But, have fun, Southern.

Whoa... something wrong is brewing... when i applied for vp,. i got them within a week.... they must know if i already have cable or dsl .. i told them i am on cablemodem.. they came over asap....

SxyPorkie · 07-04-2007, 04:37 PM

Southern... I wish you bestest luck.... you have to be fluent with ASL... also have certification for terps..... it costs alot to take test and pass it..

Most of deafies are too picky. if terp on VRS is not fluent with ASL... Asking us to repeat the signs... deafies would report to Sorenson and complain.... then that person would be out....

I am one of them who is very picky with terps.... they must be fluent.. and not asking us to repeat the signs.....YOu understand what I mean??

If i call VRS... and i have to repeat... i hang up and report to Sorenson about it... we deafies require having good terp and have certification...

besemiasno · 07-04-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

Why?

That non-competitive contract.

Ariakkas · 07-05-2007, 12:13 AM

when you work for sorenson, they make you sign a contract saying that you wont work for another vrs for 2 years after you leave sorenson.

that means if they hire you, and you sign it, then move and there is no sorenson center, or you get fired, or you quit for whatever reason, no other vrs service can or will hire you.

***VamPyroX*** · 07-05-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariakkas

when you work for sorenson, they make you sign a contract saying that you wont work for another vrs for 2 years after you leave sorenson.

that means if they hire you, and you sign it, then move and there is no sorenson center, or you get fired, or you quit for whatever reason, no other vrs service can or will hire you.

That's new to me... but I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. Heh!

Tousi · 07-05-2007, 01:34 AM

I heard it was one year; be that as it may, I would love to hear the raison de 'etre for this employment stipulation. Anybody know? Etoile? Ariakkas?

besemiasno · 07-05-2007, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariakkas

when you work for sorenson, they make you sign a contract saying that you wont work for another vrs for 2 years after you leave sorenson.

that means if they hire you, and you sign it, then move and there is no sorenson center, or you get fired, or you quit for whatever reason, no other vrs service can or will hire you.

I thought it was 1 year?

besemiasno · 07-05-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VamPyroX

That's new to me... but I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. Heh!

It is true. Sorenson made their interpreters sign a contract that they cannot work for another relay service until 12 months has passed. Also, I had a hunch the interps were told not to talk about how much they get paid to work at Sorenson.

As far as I know, the best paying video relay service for interpreters to work for is HOVRS.

Etoile · 07-05-2007, 11:27 AM

Yes, I can confirm it is a 1-year no-compete requirement. The only interpreters who are exempt are at the Washington DC center, because technically we are Gallaudet Interpreting Service (GIS) employees and not Sorenson employees. Sorenson doesn't have any other partner arrangements though, so only GIS interpreters are exempt from the 1-year rule.

As for pay, well, I will just say that I feel I am being fairly compensated for my CI/CT and experience level.

Tousi · 07-05-2007, 12:47 PM

Etoile, was there a reason you passed over my post/question?

Etoile · 07-05-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tousi

Etoile, was there a reason you passed over my post/question?

Oh! Sorry Tousi. I have no idea why this rule is in place, I think it's kind of excessive but I don't know the rationale behind it at all.

Tousi · 07-05-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

Oh! Sorry Tousi. I have no idea why this rule is in place, I think it's kind of excessive but I don't know the rationale behind it at all.

Ok, thanks; now I, bereft of the answer, am left to thinking that in the meantime, these interpreters who quit are left in limbo for a year, thus exacerbating an already critical shortage of certified terps caused by the VRS industry as a whole.

Etoile · 07-05-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tousi

Ok, thanks; now I, bereft of the answer, am left to thinking that in the meantime, these interpreters who quit are left in limbo for a year, thus exacerbating an already critical shortage of certified terps caused by the VRS industry as a whole.

My assumption is that they become community interpreters for a year. It usually doesn't pay as well as VRS but it'll get you through the one-year requirement. I'm pretty sure ex-Sorenson terps are allowed to be community interpreters, you're just not allowed to work VRS for a year.

Tousi · 07-05-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

My assumption is that they become community interpreters for a year. It usually doesn't pay as well as VRS but it'll get you through the one-year requirement. I'm pretty sure ex-Sorenson terps are allowed to be community interpreters, you're just not allowed to work VRS for a year.

Oic, okay, thanks and if that assumption's correct, I don't mind because there's just way, way too many VRS companies out there to serve the population (in my estimation) and when the FCC rightly cuts the rates next year, it will be a natural survival of the fittest occuring down to parity. And one result of this domino effect to right this scenario would be a better balance in the number and quality of interpreters. Capitalism 101, no? Lol, I'm rambling; nevermind me....

Reba · 07-05-2007, 09:12 PM

A lawyer friend of mine told me that those non-competitive contracts aren't not always so binding as people think. Much of it is a scare tactic to keep employees in line. In business, it's aimed more at company executives who might decide to become entrepreneurs and start their own competitive businesses. It usually doesn't have such a binding effect on hourly workers. Some non-competitive agreements also depend on the manner in which the employment relationship was severed. That is, different things happen if a person is fired or laid off, than if that person quits, moves, or gets called up for active duty. A contract is not always binding if it prevents a person from making a living.

All I'm saying is, don't take that agreement at face value. Ask an expert who specializes in contract law.

Reba · 07-05-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariakkas

when you work for sorenson, they make you sign a contract saying that you wont work for another vrs for 2 years after you leave sorenson.

What is the penalty if the terp quits and works for another company before the 2 years is up?

TechBill · 07-05-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

What is the penalty if the terp quits and works for another company before the 2 years is up?

No penalty since it not criminal, they get sued in civil court instead.

besemiasno · 07-07-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

What is the penalty if the terp quits and works for another company before the 2 years is up?

Honey, it is one year, not 2.

07-04-2007, 04:37 PM	#38 (permalink)
SxyPorkie SxyPorkie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,094	Southern... I wish you bestest luck.... you have to be fluent with ASL... also have certification for terps..... it costs alot to take test and pass it.. Most of deafies are too picky. if terp on VRS is not fluent with ASL... Asking us to repeat the signs... deafies would report to Sorenson and complain.... then that person would be out.... I am one of them who is very picky with terps.... they must be fluent.. and not asking us to repeat the signs.....YOu understand what I mean?? If i call VRS... and i have to repeat... i hang up and report to Sorenson about it... we deafies require having good terp and have certification... __________________ Life Goes On!!

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07-04-2007, 10:40 AM	#34 (permalink)
Ariakkas Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 237	im hearing, and i have a vp100....in my name. as with anything in life, its not "what" you know, but "who". the reason they wont give them to hearing people is because a)there would be less of them for deaf and b)hearing people dont use relay, and relay is how sorenson makes its money.

07-04-2007, 11:42 AM	#35 (permalink)
besemiasno Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 140	I feel sorry for any interpreter working for Sorenson.

07-05-2007, 12:13 AM	#40 (permalink)
Ariakkas Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 237	when you work for sorenson, they make you sign a contract saying that you wont work for another vrs for 2 years after you leave sorenson. that means if they hire you, and you sign it, then move and there is no sorenson center, or you get fired, or you quit for whatever reason, no other vrs service can or will hire you.

07-05-2007, 01:34 AM	#42 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,923	I heard it was one year; be that as it may, I would love to hear the raison de 'etre for this employment stipulation. Anybody know? Etoile? Ariakkas?

07-05-2007, 11:27 AM	#45 (permalink)
Etoile HOH terp Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 796	Yes, I can confirm it is a 1-year no-compete requirement. The only interpreters who are exempt are at the Washington DC center, because technically we are Gallaudet Interpreting Service (GIS) employees and not Sorenson employees. Sorenson doesn't have any other partner arrangements though, so only GIS interpreters are exempt from the 1-year rule. As for pay, well, I will just say that I feel I am being fairly compensated for my CI/CT and experience level.

07-05-2007, 12:47 PM	#46 (permalink)
Tousi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,923	Etoile, was there a reason you passed over my post/question?

07-05-2007, 09:12 PM	#51 (permalink)
Reba Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 15,654	A lawyer friend of mine told me that those non-competitive contracts aren't not always so binding as people think. Much of it is a scare tactic to keep employees in line. In business, it's aimed more at company executives who might decide to become entrepreneurs and start their own competitive businesses. It usually doesn't have such a binding effect on hourly workers. Some non-competitive agreements also depend on the manner in which the employment relationship was severed. That is, different things happen if a person is fired or laid off, than if that person quits, moves, or gets called up for active duty. A contract is not always binding if it prevents a person from making a living. All I'm saying is, don't take that agreement at face value. Ask an expert who specializes in contract law.