Conference 7.286::dcu

        Well, EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME!  If I'm not mistaken, DCU ATMs
        have been "talking" for quite some time.  Of course, it probably
        depends on the ATM "brand"; I believe all the newer ATMs are
        made by NCR.
        
        Are you suggesting that the DCU should look into programming
        the ATMs to streamline the mechanism for getting balances of
        all your accounts?  That can probably be done.
        
        Tom

    I believe the BayBank X-Press 24 machines provide a fairly good example
    of how one might want to handle account balance inquiries.  From the
    main menu, select Transfers/Balances; then select either the screen or
    the printer.  I get four balances (savings, checking, line of credit
    outstanding, line of credit available) at once; there's no reason DCU
    couldn't give all the various balances likewise. 
    
    Also, as one ends their session (assuming multiple transactions), they
    are given the option of having account balances printed on the receipt.
    The final screen lets them choose between another transaction, receipt
    without balances, and receipt with balances.               
    
    In any event, I wouldn't want my balances read aloud (even if the
    Diebold units used by BayBank could speak)! 

    Feels a little uneasy when 'she' says:
    
    'Your cash and receipt are ready for removal!'
    
    Yeah, and now the whole world knows I'm stashing... ;-)
    
    Steve

FWIW-

I use the ATM's alot here in Ohio and the ones that seem to be programmed the
best and are the most dependable are those made by Diebold.

Haven't seen any talking ones around here. Will avoid using them if I do.

There should be a 'talk inhibit' button that you could hit so when it starts
its patter you could squelch it for the rest of the transaction.

Another example of throwing more technology at somthing than is needed.

Lee

    FWIW - I always use Easy Touch to get my account balances, rather
    than an ATM.  It's fast and you don't have to worry about the privacy
    issue ...
    
    - Chris
    

    
    Here in Chicago, I've seen some ATM's with Braille characters. Now
    here's one a situation where the talking feature would be useful.
    Of course if you're deaf it doesn't do much for you....
    

    This is an official response by John Tilley of the DCU. The portion of
    that response, dated 1-JUN-1988, that applies is included below. 
    
    Whether you agree or disagree with the response from the DCU,
    *PLEASE* remember I'm just the MESSENGER.
    
    Carl Leeber
    
******************************************************************************
    The voice units on the ATMs can be disconnected if members are unhappy
    with this option. The suggestion to offer a "one-touch" scan of
    all share/loan/CD balances has been passed on to our software vendor
    for consideration. It may be an option in the near future. Thank
    you for the input!
******************************************************************************
    
    

    One vote for disconnecting the voice:  is there any evidence to
    show that voice ATMs are more popular than non-voice ATMs?
    
    Along with the reasons already mentioned for removing the voice
    I'd add the following.
    
    1	The operation takes longer because you have to wait for the
    	voice to finish.  And so lines are longer.
    
    2	If you try and speed up the operation and key ahead of the voice
    	you'll find the voice a distraction and so you are likely to
    	make mistakes.
    
    3	For me the BBC-like accent has linguistic and social connotations
    	that I could do without.
    
    
    Dia dhuit,
    
    Willie

    re: .-1
    
    In the MILL CAFE the voice is barely audible.
    
    You can ignore the voice completely, just go by the screen contents.
    
    I've normally put all the money, card, and receipt in my wallet
    while the "little Brit girl" is still babbling.
    
    I don't care whether or not the voice is there (and that's final!)
    
    
    /s/ Jim WIlliams
    

    RE: .10
    
    Jim;
    
    Having used the ATM in the Mill, I see your point. However some
    ATMs, like the one in TWO, are not so subtle.
    
    Positioned in TWO's nice quite lobby area, one can feel like there's a
    megaphone telling those in the waiting area your business. (Actually,
    its a muffled mumble by the time the sound reaches the seats.) 
    
    I think in the TWO context, the comments are valid. I can see that
    from your experiences, this discussion might appear to be much to-do(?)
    about nothing.

    Carl

    RE: .12
    
    What about non-English speaking persons and ATMs?
    
    Carl

	As a blind member of DCU I aplaud their efforts to make their machines
accessable ("STUPID" or otherwise).  Unfortunately, I've never seen any of these
"stupid" machines.  Where are they? 

					John 

    One is in the mill on ML 5-4, near the entrance to the DCU office.
    
    I believe that one is in ZK also near the DCU office.
    
    /s/ Jim Williams

   re .14:

   They talk just enough to be annoying, not enough to make them usable
   by the sight-impaired.  In fact, the one here at ZK apparently lost
   half a sentence, and now says "And the account to be charged."

    And they have variable use keys to the right of the screen that
    probably change depending on what you choose to do.  Since the screen
    is not capable of displaying braille ...

not only that, but did anyone notice that the keys that flank the ATM 
screen are tied in parallel with the ones that flank the keyboard?
(at least, on the right)

    As for the non-English speaking persons, I only feel for those that
    are travelling here from Foreign Digital facilities.  For them,
    the language problem would probably be resolved through the use
    of a teller.  For U.S. residents, I have no sympathy.  If they have
    chosen to live in this country, then they have an obligation to
    learn the language of this country - which is English.  If I were
    to live in France, I, likewise, would have an obligation to learn
    French.  It would certainly be difficult to function otherwise.
    
    I am not a cold and uncaring person.  However, on this issue I get
    very angry when I am shopping in the store and I hear two persons
    speaking a foreign language, rather than English.  I can even less
    happy when the children are doing this.  This is a disservice to
    the children.  They should be encouraged to assimilate into the
    society as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
    
    Ed..
    

Re .14

<	As a blind member of DCU I aplaud their efforts to make their machines
<accessable ("STUPID" or otherwise).  Unfortunately, I've never seen any of
<these "stupid" machines.  Where are they? 
<
<					John 
    John;
    	Are you just funning us by saying that you have never SEEN any
    of these machines. Also as you read this note, how are you reading
    this note.
    	We have one of these talking ATM's in TWO ( Tewksbury ) MA.
    

    
    Another vote to trash the squawking squirrel! It's irritating, and
    does slow down the transaction by at least 50% timewise. I can do
    a Baybank ATM for a quick cash withdraw MUCH faster than DCU's ATM!

    RE: the previous 20 replies -
    
    I've never seen more complaining on a single issue in some time.
    How would each of you feel if the nearest DCU ATM was 700 miles
    away?
    
    Stop the complianing and try to work with the system to make something
    happen.  Complaining gets irratating and doesn't solve problems
    - in some cases it creates more problems!
    
    THANKS!!
    
    Rick (who'd love to have an ATM nearby -IN A CAFETERIA [what's that?])
    
    PS - sorry but some of your Southern brethern aren't nearly as blessed
    with some of the luxuries you TAKE FOR GRANTED!!!

    RE: .22
    
    	Bullseye!  How about 3,000 + miles away!  The DCU is GREAT!
    Keep up the good work!!
    
    KMP

    While I'm not convinced that "DCU is GREAT", I must say that the
    "talking ATM" complaint is a bit ridiculous.  The only thing that
    *really* matters as far as ATM's are concerned is 1) how conveniently
    are they located; and 2) do they work when you want to use them.  All else
    is mere trivia ...
    
    - Chris
    

Ref: 99.22

>    RE: the previous 20 replies -
    
>    I've never seen more complaining on a single issue in some time.
>    How would each of you feel if the nearest DCU ATM was 700 miles
>    away?

    But this notesfile is created to discuss any issues related to DCU.
    Some of the issues discussed may not meet everyone's approval, but
    not all issues have to important to all noters. 

    So if so many people feel the need to complain about a single issue
    then be it.
    
>    Stop the complianing and try to work with the system to make something
>    happen.  Complaining gets irratating and doesn't solve problems
>    - in some cases it creates more problems!
    
>    THANKS!!
    
>    Rick (who'd love to have an ATM nearby -IN A CAFETERIA [what's that?])
    

    Again, One of the reasons why this notesfile is created is to 
    discuss issues related to DCU, which includes comments (good or bad) 
    and complaints about DCU and the service. Moaning and complaining
    are allowed like you might have noticed in the conference, and also
    a DCU cheerleading section is allowed too..(note 99.23) 


    We ARE working with the system to make something happen. If you 
    read the previous replies you will find that 99.8 has an 'OFFICIAL' 
    reply from DCU offering to "disconnect the voice units if members 
    are unhappy with this option".
    

>    PS - sorry but some of your Southern brethern aren't nearly as blessed
>    with some of the luxuries you TAKE FOR GRANTED!!!


    "Some of the luxuries you TAKE FOR GRANTED" - that's like saying 
    we should accept low quality food/service offered to us at any 
    restaurant because people are starving somewhere in Africa.

    So, if you have comments about DCU service, what is acceptable to
    you or not please say so, but don't redicule people for expressing
    their opinions and feelings no matter how much you disagree with it.
    If you disagree, please say so and why, and leave it at that.

    Nisreen (AKA moderator)

    To get back to the subject, the ATM at ZKO has lost its voice.  Hooray!