Ventrilo The Best Voicing Program I've Seen Todate!

For those who do not know about voicing on the net it is a way to talk to folks from anywhere in the world FREE!

As a gamer I have seen many programs come and go.

Ventrilo is as close to talking on the phone as I've seen todate!

Its set up is simple. What you need is one person who can host as the server. Next, everyone needs the client software including the host in order to connect to the server.

The clients must have the servers IP address.

If you don't know how to find out your IP then use this:
http://www.whatismyip.com/

Of course it works best if everyone is using a headset with a mic. If you're only using a mic and no head set whatever sound comes out of your speakers will be hear by all. This creates echos

I use Logitech headset/mic....about 24.00

You can read about and download Ventrilo here:
http://www.ventrilo.com/

Again this is FREE. So if you are tired of paying for long distant calls this is the way to go for everyone who has a computer!

Once I get into the options, if there is an interest here at DG I can set up a Garden Room for the members here that would be password protect. This would keep out the gamers who might also be using the server at the same time....some of them talk like drunk sailors...

On the nights we game I might have to limit the number who can talk on the Garden Room. As I also host most games, and Ghost Recon with 34 gamers playing is one heck of a bandwidth hog. Otherwise during the day my bandwidth should handle up to 200 people.

If needed I would set up more than one room for you all to voice so that there would not be too many trying to talk at once.

Let me know if you are interested. It will be about another week before I can get back to the options and figure them out.
Olds

BTW the programs are small and the server takes up very little of your resources

Follow up I have set up sub channels now. I have not set one up for Gardeners yet as I have yet to hear back from anyone who might be interested here.

Next it also has a standard chat like the one that is here twice per week. You don't need a head set for that.

Like I said if you want to talk all you need is a head set and the client software. There is a big online help for setting up the client. It really is not hard at all. Other than that all you need is my IP addy so you can connect to the server.

AS I said this is like talking on the phone. You can talk to anyone else who has the client. My server should be up 99% of the time. So you don't have to worry about running a server itself. Of course you can set your own server up. The default will be more than enough for a family chit chat. The default installs so easy.

Once you and your family have it you can talk for hours from anywhere in the world for free. It don't get much better than this!

Next under the Gardeners channel I would set up another 10 sub-channels so that if one family was using one channel you could go to another channel for your private conversation. Of course you could say in the general Garden Channel and just have a big get Ole together!
Olds



This message was edited Nov 19, 2003 5:41 AM

To give you all an idea of what I mean by channels below is a pic of the current lay-out.

As you see the main lobby is called Oldman's Place. You can talk in it as well as in the sub channels. Below it are 8 sub-channels--they are the blue + sign. Under the DoW channel you see another sub-channel. It is pass word protected so only members of the DoW can use it. It is a red + sign.

Next, you see that I'm in the Channel "Ghost Recon Team 1 room. While in this room I can only talk with others who are in this same room. I cannot hear conversations of other channels.

Now on the right of the picture you will see the option called "Chat." It works just like the chat that is here. Plus it does one more thing which it funny at first, but it does get old after a while. Whatever you type shows up (just like it does here) however, at the same time there is a computer generated voice saying every word you typed! There is option to turn off that voice! I sure kids enjoy it...mine's turned off.
Olds


This message was edited Nov 19, 2003 5:55 AM

Next, I was going over FAQ and it looks like you need to have at least DirectX 8.1. Even if you don't use this program you should update your DX. (DirectX 9.0b improves the graphics, security, and performance of your operating system.)

Here is the link to MS DX update. It installs seamless.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx

Olds

Olds....this sounds so interesting. I used to have Dial Pad but they ended up charging. I will have to get my DD over here to hook up my sound though....will be next week before I will knowif I can get it working again....I have the mic and headset. Thanks! Jo

IP for the server is 24.129.161.182
I have two set up for DG members. password for both is pineapple.
Olds