Instructions for using Texgate

You will be offered a series of choices. Choose the one you want by entering the initial letter followed by the GA key. If you do not have a GA key type <space>GA<space>. On some textphones you can use the return or enter key, except when composing a message when GA must always be used to finish the message.

Using your textphone, call the Texgate access number - 0870 751 8982

Log In - Selected by pressing L. Enter name and password then proceed to main menu. Ensure after each answer to use GA.

Register - Selected by pressing R. Only used once when initially registering as a new user. Ensure after each answer to use GA.

Help - Selected by pressing H. Displays help file. Copy of help text is then shown on screen. You can also call the text help line on 020 8964 5590 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

After you log in you will see the Main Menu:

Read - Selected by pressing R. Prints a numbered list of email message in your mailbox. Each message displays the sender and subject of message. You have the option to enter the number of the message you want to read. This is then displayed on the screen after reading you have the option to delete the message. You can delete any of the messages by entering the message number followed by the letter d. If you enter 0 when asked for the message number, the Texgate goes back to the main menu.

Send - Selected by pressing S. You are asked to type the email address of the recipient. If you are sending a message to another Texgate user you only need to enter their user name. You are then prompted to enter a few words describing the topic of the message. This is entered into the subject field. The next prompt allows you to enter the main body of the message. When finished press GA

Options - Selected by pressing O. A series of user configurable preferences are offered:

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    		• Password - Selected by pressing P. Allows you to type in a new password. Passwords are not case sensitive. The minimum length of the password is 4 characters and the maximum is 8. You are requested to enter the password twice for confirmation. The textphone will prompt you when the new password has been accepted, it can take up to an hour for the change to take place.#
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    		• Speed - Selected by pressing S. Allows you to alter the display speed setting between 1 and 9. Nine is the fastest and one is the slowest. The default speed is five. You may need to alter the speed setting depending on the textphone you are using.
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    		• Brief - Selected by pressing B. Allows you to select brief prompts, i.e. using just one letter. This is for experienced users only. This will speed the use of the service up, but is definitely for the experienced user.
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    		• Finished - Selected by pressing F. Press this when you have finished using the Options screen and takes you back to the main menu.

    Goodbye - Selected by pressing G. Used to log out of the system. To maintain security, it should always be used when dialling off. If you do not use Goodbye to log out then you may have difficulties in logging in immediately after, in which case the system will recover after a few minutes.

    Texgate service number: 0870 751 8982      Text helpline number: 020 8964 5590