Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Giac
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 07:03 PM

Okay, I downloaded PalTalk once more and, after a few small hassles, got into the room. Great, loved it! Heard some really nice music from Uncle DaveO, Nynia, Dobro46, I think. There were others, too. Enjoyed it. Maybe I won't keep getting kicked off this time. **LOL**

Mary

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Nynia
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 04:09 PM

Hi Nutty, degree just ended, no final result but should be OK. I was on Paltalk the other night saw someone called Hazelnutty, you can see why I was........... ah you've just appeared on Paltalk right now - LOL ............... convinced it was you. LOL

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 03:22 PM

well, we are off to a festival on Thursday...I will try all this stuff next week

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Francy
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 02:59 PM

i'm on paltalk now...the room is Folk City...Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Lane
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 02:56 PM

I found PalTalk last fall and have been a regular visitor- I sprung the small amount of money to register and I have no pop ups and not problems, even with my extremely slow dial up connection. I suggest that those that have had trouble in the past, try it again - it works great for me and did even without being registered - the pop ups were not that many.

Open Mike has been hosting the room as she mentioned, on thursday nights - I recommend it! Pal Talk is a wonderful way to share music, lets keep it up.

One opinion - I, personally, prefer a sing-around kind of thing rather than a single musician "concert".... but thats just 'cause I want a turn!

Lane

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: nutty
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 01:13 PM

Hey Nynia ......I wondered where you had got to. It's good to know you are still around and on Paltalk ..... I'll try to get in soon...

PS. How are the studies going????

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 12:31 PM

Giac, Paltalk has never been a big file. I think the latest zip install is just over 1Mb - should't be enough to trouble any computer able to support voice chat...

Hearme had more problems than Paltalk. I seem to remember it required an activeX component that only ran on Windows/IE cutting more people out or forcing them to use IE than Paltalk did. The sound quality of Hearme was inferior and towards the end, it became unusable.

I think the one advantage that Hearme had was that it could be ran from a web page and be hidden from the rest of the world. You took your chances though - there was no mechanism to admin the system - if someone had have read a link on MC and entered to be obnoxious there was nothing that could be done (except move the page to a new loaction for another time). I think some of the praise for Hearme was just down to some people feeling more sheltered and nothing to do with technical differences.

OpenMike. In the early days of Mudcat Paltalk rooms, things used to run much longer. When we decided to make the move to Paltalk, I started the "Mucdat Song Circle" room. I've known the room run from maybe 10PM to 7AM in UK time (different people would take on admin). It was an open room and as such used to get some non-catters in. For those happy with an open room, this was actualy useful for keeping the room open that long as some of them would help to keep things alive when maybe there wasn't another 'catter in site. This of course helped 'catters too as the room was there for so much longer so a better chance of meeting "familiar faces" as well as friendly "strangers".

As for the "jam", I heard a rumour once that 2 of the Live & Unplugged rooms did once achieve playing together on separte PCs in different locations but I haven't a clue how. Presumably, if it did happen, it involved other networking and there are all sorts of problems with lag.

The closest I ever came to a "jam" was in a "Live and Unplugged" room. "Rowdy Male" had the idea of recording me on mandolin and then when it was his turn, he played the recording and backed it on guitar. It worked out better than I expected it to.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Giac
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 11:51 AM

Gosh, I'd love to hear the concerts again. I've never been able to use PalTalk. For one thing, it took up too much room on my drive, and I always got kicked off in a few minutes anyhow. Yes, the updates were very annoying, as that's all I seemed to be able to do. I could never effectively USE the thing.

HearMe was wonderful, and I do miss it. I still treasure the tapes of the concerts (which were sometimes taped and then sold for, what was it?, $3, I think). Anyhow. I love those I got from Wyo, Mbo (two of his!), DaveO, Woodchuck's Revenge, etc.

Well, heck, I might try it again, but hope I don't get kicked off every time. **LOL**

Mary

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 09:33 AM

I was in pal last night, and I had a touch of "the old trouble". Damn pooter crashed as soon as I grabbed the mic.
Which poses the question - "Is there a hidden critic built into pal, or is it my pooter trying to save the world from a fate worse than death?"
As for single singers, I got round this by playing a CD of stuff we had recorded in a local pub during a session.
I may have to upgrade so as to be sure it plays OK next time I try.
Waiting for the catters room to open at 4am can be a bit of a chore for us poor old Brits, but then I dont have to get up for work. (heh heh)

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: open mike
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 01:30 AM

i have been hosting (hostessing) the Mudcat Live Acoustic Jam room for
several moonths now, and the sessions there usually go on long past the designated 2-4 hour time . It is easy to start your own room, and if
any one wants to start one, you ususally get catters to come by soon
after posting a mesage in the forum. i think locked rooms are limited to 10 people at a time, and open rooms allow you to let people know how wonderful the Mudcat is. You can post links to websites in the text as you type, and i often turn people there on to the "Cat. I had a problem with the "adult" room label, as once there was a very graphic pop up that just stayed at the top of every one's window, and made it really uncomfortable to be on there...we were pasting paper on our computer screens to get it to go away. Of course it only was vislble to the folks who do not have paid subscriptions to paltalk. So since then i have had rooms with "r" rating and have not had that situation. I would love to hear a featured player on paltalk, and would be glad to offer "my" room for this. I will not be able to host such an event til July, though. If anyone wants to know how to start a room, you just go to "groups" and click on start or maintain a room as an administrator. the "admin" has an "@" (at) in front of their name, often referred to as "wearing a hat" and those with names in blue indicate paid members, freebie folks such as myself have their names in black. Both paid and unpaid folks are able to admin rooms.
This format works perfect for concert type events because only one
person is able to sing at once any way. YOu cannot hold a "jam" with everyone participating, as only one computer's sound will go out over the systems. Some folks invite people over and play as a duet when it
is there turn. I have also heard a person sing a duet to a pre-recorded cd and she sang along adding another track. But there are some rooms where kareoke sing aloongs are the rule rather than the exception, and i avoid these. Thanks for the ifo Dave-O! I ALWAYS
love having you come and share your wonderful songs in the Mud Cat Live Acoustic Jam Room! Laurel, Open Mike

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Matt_R
Date: 09 Jun 03 - 08:27 PM

Yo Dave! Long time no see!

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: dwditty
Date: 09 Jun 03 - 02:50 PM

Bill,

When you click "Groups" on the Paltalk home screen. you will see a list of rooms. Be sure to check the box that says "Show Adult Rooms" (this allows the Brits to talk about roosters, for example), then you will have a complete list of rooms that are open. The live rooms generally have "Live" somewhere in the title of the room. Feel free to add me (dwditty) to your pal list and pm me when you come on, and I will show you what I know.

Many of the live rooms may not be what you are looking for in terms of music. It is very easy to set up a room of your own through the admin function, which you may then open whenever you wish. When I open my room, I find the people that like what is going on stay, those that don't move on. I have found it helps to disallow cameras when you set the room up. You see, for many Pal is as much or more a social thing as a musical experience. If you keep it focused on the music, your room will evolve as such.

As far as locked vs open, I have seen both. Yes, Nynia, there are always some who get furious at their computer screen at the thought of the exclusionary aspect of a closed room. Big deal, I say. Personally, I like an open room. As admin, you can pretty much set the tone. That is, when I open my room, I take the mic between each performer and, if necessary, keep things on topic - i.e. music.

I thoroughly enjoy pal. Pop ups are not an issue because I pay for the service. The updates, when they come, take a few minutes (and I am on dial up). Again, no big deal. It is not for everybody, but I would think those of a mudcat mind could greatly expand their on-line experience with paltalk. After all, it is supposed to be fun.

dw

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Nynia
Date: 09 Jun 03 - 02:21 PM

Not sure what the problem is for you Liz (miss your laugh), I haven't had an update in the last three months and I'm on Paltalk nearly every day. As for pop-up's I get one when I go on, one when I leave and usually about one per hour/hour and a half. Not bad for a free service. With closed rooms remember that the maximum people allowed in the room is ten. As for starting another room Liz just remember what a load of abuse both Jon and I got over the closed/open room issue from people we thought were our friends. A lot of people who don't normally like folk music still remember the Mudcat rooms on Paltalk, Leah for one is a name you might remember.

I think it would be great to have a folk room again but until then you might like to try this, esp. if you are new to Paltalk. Each night RegisLen has an open room from 8pm-Midnight that encourages all types of music also Kelly's can be good.

Just Jock (another name from those good old days) has a room playing live from the Inverness festival this week, I found it Saturday and was lucky enough to hear most of Michael Marra live.

Hope to see some of you again soon,

Regards,

Nynia.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Jun 03 - 01:18 PM

this is fascinating....when Paltalk first appeared, I couldn't get it ti work on my PC...but I just realized I have reinstalled Windows, so I went and re-did Paltalk...and LO!..it works...or says it does....trouble is, I know no names or groups to go to.

And then I read this thread which tells me a lot of folks are frustrated with it...*sigh*...

So, anyway....I am up for trying it....let me know who you are and where rooms are...(PM, if that seems more reasonable)

I am Bill Dx

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 May 03 - 06:50 AM

First you get Paltalk working properly!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Deni-C
Date: 27 May 03 - 06:09 AM

How do we audition??????

Cheers
Deni

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 May 03 - 05:57 AM

It IS possible to have a locked room and there were several people here who had the capabilities of opening one. The password is usually one recognisable to 'Catters, but not obvious to the outside world and is posted in a dated thread.

The major problem is the updates - I'm on my second update THIS WEEK!
Everytime it happens, something else disappears, a function vanishes or the pop-ups double. Presently it's decided my password is defunct and won't tell me what it should be. It's been so long that my 'password hint' means nothing to me!

Last week my speakers worked but the mic didn't, today the speakers work, the mic works but the screen doesn't!

ah well... it will sort!

LTS

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: open mike
Date: 27 May 03 - 12:03 AM

this sounds great !!
I never cease to be amazed
at how it is possible to jam
with people from all over the
world through paltalk. I have
been enjoying the thursday night
jams I have been hosting for 5-6
months now, and would look forward
to this concert thing...how would
it work? Let me know if there is anything
i can do to help.
Laurel (who just got home from driving
over 10 hours round trip to jam with
friends at strawberry music fest and
would love to be able to go to a concert
in my own home and save gas!@!)

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: dwditty
Date: 26 May 03 - 09:40 PM

Me too, MM. That's when I get to practice a new song.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: MMario
Date: 26 May 03 - 07:58 PM

takes me about a half hour to do an update on paltalk (at least it has the last couple of times)

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: dwditty
Date: 26 May 03 - 02:40 PM

Guest, Jon? Squiggs I presume. I am always a bit surprised by how much chatter there is on mudcat about how awful Paltalk is. I have probably the worst dial up connection in the US (downloads are at a whopping .7-1.2 Kbps/sec) and I have no problem with paltalk. When I ping, my reading is always poor, yet people tell me my sound quality is one of the best. I suspect your sound cards have as much to do with your experience as anything. Yes, Paltalk has plenty of annoyances - I got rid of the big one (pop-ups) by paying to use a service that works out to pennies a day for me. There are others. For instance I use the line in on my sound card and everytime I reboot, Pal resets itself to mic in and if I forget to change it I sing a whole song to myself. In truth, I must classify that as operator error as much as I wish the program was written such that I could control my input source. There are Pal help rooms, too. If you are having trouble, there are people there who will give you a hand.

The biggest problem of Paltalk compared to Hearme is that it is not quite so easy to shut out the rest of the world and limit the experience to 100% mudcat. On the other hand, I have met some really terrific people who have no idea what mudcat is, even getting together with a few to jam. One friend helped me tremendously guiding me through the process of producing my cd and even went so far as to do all the graphics, gratis. Yes, there is a world beyond mudcat. It doesn't have to be either or.

And Sandy, thanks for all the work you did putting those concerts together. They were always lots of fun, and I hope they will be again.

dw

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 May 03 - 12:20 PM

Dave, I probably only check in to Paltalk every month or so now and everytime I go in seems to require an update. Like you say the update doesn't take too long but it still is an added hassle. The installation iteslf annoys me to as it puts "Palnet Aware"(or something like that) in "startup" and an icon on my desktop - things I subsequently remove.

Overall though, Paltalk remains the best voice chat system I have used and I know that many of us have had fun with the system, in my case both in Mudcat and in "Live and Unplugged" rooms. Perhaps my biggest complaint is that it only supports Windows, but I know of no cross platform voice chat system.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 May 03 - 12:00 PM

My problem was the update notices: a loud "DING" and a pop-up every thirty seconds. When i shut down I would have to close 30-40 pop-ups first. Their attitude was "Upgrade or else" and I chose else.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: MMario
Date: 26 May 03 - 11:51 AM

jon - WHEN I could get it to work no problem with Paltalk - but it does no good if you can't get it to work!

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 26 May 03 - 11:47 AM

So what's the big deal about updates? Maybe every other month or every third month, it takes maybe two minutes to get the new update.
Big deal!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 May 03 - 05:09 AM

I'm a little bit confused by some of this. It's true that there were a few people who had access/installation problems with Paltalk. But the sound quality on Paltalk was better than Hearme (even when hearme was working well) right from when we started using it.

If anything, I've found Paltalk has deteriorated but that is just because I don't pay and the level of annoyances like popups seems to have increased and each time I try to get in now seems to need an update. I guess some of that is to do with them trying to combat people trying to find work arounds to the annoyances on the free version.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 May 03 - 01:40 AM

MMario - that's the trouble I had. Tried for ages yesterday to get something going, gave up in the end because I was completely shut out. If I did manage to get in, there was no sound on my sound check.

Ah well, maybe next week....

LTS

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: MMario
Date: 25 May 03 - 04:10 PM

I think I did two on hear me - unfortuanately since the "new" imporved Paltalk I've been unable to get a good enough connection to sing - and even listening can be pretty spotty.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 24 May 03 - 10:58 AM

Sounds like fun.Let's do it.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 May 03 - 03:47 AM

The concerts were fun, so were the Sunday afternoon singarounds. Unfortunately, with every upgrade they do, something else falls off. Since the last reload I did, my mic hasn't worked properly and we kept getting thrown out after minutes. Now we've got Broadband, we may stay in, but I've not found anywhere I can test my mic. I've done all the tests on the program, but when I try it 'in the field', it doesn't work.

Ah well, keep trying!

If you want me to open up the Sunday Sings again, I'm happy to. 8.00pm GMT, 2-3.00pm Mudcat time, 8-9.00am Antipode time.

LTS

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 May 03 - 09:19 PM

WyoWoman yodelled her way into a few hearts one evening. I did love those concerts. Even Cletus behaved most of the time.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: nutty
Date: 23 May 03 - 01:14 PM

I've not done much with Paltalk lately (got fed up with constant need for updates) but I would certainly interested in hearing the concerts again.

We also used to have a pretty good singers session afterwards.

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 03 - 12:58 PM

I'd certainly tune in to listen. Loved all of the ones I did get to hear! Thanks for thinking of this and trying it out again.

kat

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Francy
Date: 23 May 03 - 12:17 PM

Bigchuck & I did a Utah Phillips concert live on paltalk and it was fun...count me in........Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Tinker
Date: 23 May 03 - 10:05 AM

I'd love to come listen again... There were some great tunes and great times on those concerts. I always found at least one song I just "had to" learn.

Tinker

Subject: RE: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: bigchuck
Date: 23 May 03 - 08:30 AM

I took it upon myself to organize the first batch, and a number were held on Paltalk. I tried to get a second round going, but didn't get enough folks interested in performing to keep things going. I would be glad to help out, but don't have as much time available as I used to. They were fun and featured some pretty good music. Paltalk's come a ways since then, and I think it might be neat to try it again.

Sandy

Subject: Revive Mudcat Concert Series on Paltalk?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 22 May 03 - 10:24 PM

In 2000, and maybe extending into 2001, before Paltalk's day but on HearMe, we had a series of Mudcat concerts.   The plan was, on a given arranged night, for one Catter to do a concert of maybe 40 minutes, up to an hour, and possibly after that a general Mudcat HearMe session.
I've forgotten which night of the week; I think Saturday or Sunday, and it would start fairly early, about 7:00 or maybe 7:30 Mudcat time.

We had a number of them. I know I did one, Mbo did one, maybe two, I think Bigchuck did one, and I don't recall who else.

This was greatly popular, but then HearMe started sort of disintegrating, and Paltalk wasn't yet very satisfactory, and the whole project just sort of went away.

Is there anyone who has some interest in a revival of this?

Dave Oesterreich