I don't think that I ever had an easy time of it when I was trying to enjoy the live music rooms at PalTalk. I had difficulties staying connected and being heard by others. There was background noise that affected my particular connections and that warped my music and that of other's when I played or listened.

Some folks sounded like a million bucks. I tried to understand why there was such a huge difference in the sound quality. Did some folks simply have better computer equipment or a better or faster connection to the web? Were some players playing directly into their computers via a sound card or outboard interface box? It seemed that some sounded as though they were playing via a PA system.

I had DSL but that didn't seem to make much difference. No port settings offered any kind of difference and no one connected with the site could offer any answers as to why I was having the difficulties with connectivity, being heard and listening to others. I finally gave up trying because it was simply too bewildering to me. I'm wondering if the site only worked well for those that were paid members. I only used it via the free service they offered.

The software was also a real pain to delete from my system once I decided to give up. I know that they always seemed to be upgrading it but that nothing ever really got better for me as a user. I upgraded my stuff too since then, different box of parts, a slower connection but still DSL and probably most important, I seem to have less time for all of the activities that I used to involve myself with online.

Out of necessity, I'm street performing a lot more these days and when I'm not doing that, it seems like I'm in reproduction mode for my recordings. Each takes a lot more of my time these days. The constant demand for my recordings is a blessing. I sell most of them via my performances on the street.

I'll check out the Paltalk site again and hope for the best but I'll be surprised if it does work out given my past experiences.