OT: TeamSpeak free voice chat software

Whistle
1

There’s an experiment going on right now. In Chiffy chat tonight the mention of a software program called TeamSpeak prompted a hasty install and it seems to be working.

TeamSpeak ( www.teamspeak.org ) is a (noncommercial use) free program for allowing people to voice chat. It’s got a hands free function as well as a “push to talk” option. (And a roll of pennies holds down the button very nicely for whistling.)

I’ve set up the server on my computer, though I’m not a programmer sort so I don’t know how well it’s up. Anyway, we did get one other brave soul into the room. If anyone else would like to help me test it some evening (US time), go to www.teamspeak.org and download the client, then contact me with the username you want and I’ll give you a password. This is just a trial run right now, I prefer volunteers who know a bit about program setups as it’ll be easier to explain what to do - I’m still learning myself. I don’t know how many connections it can support, and it’s not real easy to include text, but it’s a nice addition to chiffy chat!

Anyone else ever used this thing before?

2

I would love to try this thing out. I am a sucker for free software and stuff, and I have been looking for a good program like this to play Rogue Spear with my old friends. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no time in the forseeable future to do so.

hope it works.

hope to TALK to some of you soon!

3

Check your private messages Ants. :slight_smile:

4

Okay, I wrote up some quick instructions for this thing. You can download from:

http://www.teamspeak.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index

Make sure you download the Windows Client, not the server or the choices for Linux.

It’s 5.8 megs, sorry. But if you feel like putting up with the initial download it’s actually pretty cool. You can have automatic voice activation on, or hold down any key to transmit. I use a roll of pennies to hold down a key while I whistle. :smiley:

If you want to try, you’ll need to get a username and password from me. It’s not set up to accept anonymous chatters at the moment.

To get into the room (once you have your login info), this is what you do:

Install and run the program
Click on Connection, and choose Connect. You want to be in the Local Addressbook. Right click Servers and choose Add Server. Call it Chiff and Fipple.

Now when you click on your new server name, a bunch of empty boxes show on the right. In Sever Address, put 12.230.163.226 . Put in your nickname, login name, and user password. That should be all you need - hit connect, at the bottom.

Now, if all has gone well, you’re in the room. If you go up to Settings, you can set up how you transmit sound. I chose Push to Talk, it’s more reliable and won’t pick up keystrokes and so forth. You’ll need to Set which button to press, if you choose this option.

If you’re in the room with people and you can’t get transmissions to work, you can send a text message by going to Channels, the option is at the bottom.

When a person is transmitting, the green circle next to their name lights up.

I will probably leave myself in the room even when I’m not at the computer - but I’ll be marked as Away, which puts a red X over my green circle by my name. I’ll be able to read any text you leave, but obviously won’t hear anything you’ve sent while I’m gone!

Please let me know about any problems you encounter.

5

Yeah I use this a bit when I’m gaming online with friends. It seems to have issues with people who have SoundBlaster PCI cards. Every once in awhile everything I said would turn to static.

I had to download alternative drivers not by Creative to get the thing to work properly. Seem to work alright that way so long as I had the mixer in my system tray. Even so, I left a bad impression with some people because of my constant static and don’t use it as much. :smiley:

When it does work, it’s a dream and absolutely great for online gaming and now for playing. If you have any questions though, particularly server-side I can probably get some answers for ya. Our group has been using it for a long time.

6

I’m using a SB 5.1 Pro card. I recently updated the dirvers (WinXP) to the latest/greatest. What should I be watching out for??

Bri~

7

Oh, you know you want another reason to reformat anyway, Bri. Give it a shot! :slight_smile:

I’ve got a soundblaster audigy and had no problems, but I don’t remember what PCI is and therefore don’t know if my card qualifies as such.

8

Slots?
ISA 8bit are the black slots found in the original IBM PC’s.
Then… came the ISA 16 bit which has second slot in line with the main slot. The PCI slots started coming in white plastic and similar in length to the 8 bit ISA slots. Chances are, if it’s less than 5 years old, it’s PCI
Got it ?

9

Audigys never seemed to pose a problem among my gamer friends who use TS. It was just the Soundblaster PCI cards…like I have a Soundblaster PCI 512.

Then again, if it isn’t broke…dont fix it. :slight_smile: Our experiences just show that people with the Creative Soundblaster PCI family had static problems. If it works for you, then awesome!