Ventrilo Voice/Text Chat Test

If you're interested... and I could use a little help here especially if you are already using this software and know your end works with the voice... I've set up a test for VOIP using Ventrilo. Haven't tried the speech yet so if you have a mic and headset or already using a VOIP service I'd appreciate some one logging in and trying it. There is a normal text chat room as well so you don't need a mic... Actually it also has a TTS system too.

I'm connected to it at the moment so if you want to join me feel free.

You'll first need to download and install the ventrilo client available here: http://www.ventrilo.com/download.php

Once installed, run the program. Next to the Username click the arrow on the far right and enter a username preferably the one you use here.

Next click the arrow next to the server box, enter 69.73.136.20 next to the IP. For the password there is common password : member

That's it, you'll need to hit the connect button.

I'm not sure but as long as all the stars have aligned we should have a functioning voice and/or text chat. If you can't here anything try hitting the chat button to see if anyone is chatting.

This FYI will most likely serve as the method for communication for broadcasting the "Coal Cast" live webcast. So if you have any intentions of participating in one of these programs you may want to try it. I'll only have to get it setup with a some streaming software from this point once I've tested this part. It only supports 8 people at once which should be more than enough for my needs. The web stream for the live broadcast will be sent via a different software that will be audio only but will support as many as the server can handle.

Successfully tested and it sounds pretty good I might add. Small glitch on my end, it appears I have a misconfiguration probably on my sound card Thanks SuperBeetle for giving me hand. I could hear him but he couldn't hear me. I'll leave it running if anyone wants to try and use it.

Now I'll move onto setting up the streaming server for the audience.

The installation on the server was so easy I'm wondering why. I've installed quite a few things and htis by far went off with the least amount of trouble.

The only issue with Ventrilo is the documentation states the free version I'm using only supports up to eight people. There's no intermediate license and it goes right to 1000 plus users. By the tone of their website unless you expect hundreds or thousands of clients they don't even want to talk to you. This will work for the webcast, 8 is plenty but it's not going to work as a permanent solution for chat here.

From their website:

The Pro version of the Ventrilo server can not be downloaded. It requires that we accept your application and that you sign and return the Ventrilo license. However, we do not license everyone.

In order for an applicant to be considered you must meet the following minimum requirements.

1) You must have a legitimate business license in your state, country or jurisdiction. Please be prepared to provide proof when requested.

2) You agree to a 1000 slot minimum. Slot counts greater then 1000 are billed at the per slot rate for the total number of slots hosted. Slot counts below 1000 are billed at the per slot rate with the required minimum of 1000 slots.

3) Licensee's slot counts are expected to grow on a regular basis.

A slot is a user I'm assuming.

FYI there's a windows server version, you could set up the server on your own computer and have your own private VOIP service for friends and family that supports up to eight people.

Forgot to add this is currently not running however I will have it running permanently shortly. Thanks again for those that tested it.

cArNaGe wrote:I have a 60 slot server running all the time.

Are you renting those slots or running it on your own server?

I'd pay for a license to run more slots on my own server but from the documentation on the Vent site they seem to be only interested in really large volume clients, 1000 or more seems to be the magic number. I have a lot of unused resources at my disposal so it's kind of pointless to pay someone else for something I can provide. If anything I'd rather dump money into upgrading my own server to meet demand than give it to someone else.

Note that I may change the IP or passwords, as of right now I'm just tinkering with it.