re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!

Subject: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Jan 01 - 10:38 PM

a new arrangement seems to be brewing!!,,,

take a look seems like a hopeful sign...especially for those of us who can't get linked to PalTalk...says up to 50 people can be in a room at one time///in FULL DUPLEX!

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 19 Jan 01 - 11:22 PM

Bill

I will check this out.

I also checked Aine's Hearme room 2 nights ago. Everything seemed to be in fine working order. I was surprised because I thought it had died.

Just dazed and confused.

JAB

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 01 - 11:47 PM

Hey, Bill, that looks pretty interesting! JAB, I was in Aine's HearMe the other day and it seemed fine, too. I know there were a lot of problems, though, before with people getting dumped a lot and also the sound quality was not as good.

I much prefer it to Paltalk in the closeness and camraderie, mainly because I knew more of the people who came in there. Paltalk has been great, too, and I think we've picked up a few new members because of it.

So, Bill...which one of us should download and try it?**BG** Still got those hamsters on call?

kat

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 12:12 AM

Yeah, I'd like to check this one out too. I killed off PalTalk because the program is a pain in the ass. It also seemed to be going into a few other things and I had the same sound problem so decided it was going. I liked hearme when it "worked"....that being the operative word.

Spaw

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Amergin
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 01:52 AM

I haven't had any problems with PalTalk since I changed my name and updated my browser....

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 04:58 AM

We have been doing fine with Paltalk.
There have been some very enjoyable sessions since Christmas with a good attendance from the UK - especially Scots. Obviously the time differences between us (in Britain) and the USA means that we are likely to be online earlier than some of you. That said, it was 2.15a.m. GMT when we left this morning and the Paltalk room was still going strong.
Quack
GtD

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 05:13 AM

Oh well....

I have tried to set up a test room and can't get past something like "can not create xxxxxx room".

I have tried entering their demo room and get something like "can not connect to server... something discontinued"...

Also, to get to any page on their site is taking about 5 minutes - I give up.

Re other comments in this tread:

Hearme did first annouce a closing date of 11th December but continued to provide the Voice Creator Service (which had beccome and still is - try a global room for an hour - too unstable for us to use). I can only guess that the delays and the new date have been either down to technical problems or difficulty in finding an independant company (Telcopoint provide this and use ads to fund) willing to provide a free service using their technology.

It is down to everyone but personally, I prefer the openness of the song circle PalTalk room to the privacy of the purely Mudcatters Hearme but either way that is not a reason to leave PalTalk. Paltalk is actually stronger on this issue than even the new Hearme offering as it allows for private rooms, locked rooms and the ability to moderate rooms - this service does allow moderation AT A COST. This issue is more down to the way I set up this PalTalk Room (and I believe correctly - BigChuck went for a locked room for the concert - again a choice, given the different nature of a concert and a song circle that I agree with) than any issue with the software.

Compatibility is of course a big issue and maybe this will allow more people to join in but I can't even access thier demo! Maybe others will have more luck. Even if it works, this does not solve what to me is the biggest problem - something for PC AND Mac users.

I will read with interest to see if others have more luck than me.

Jon

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 08:06 AM

they insist on getting my phone number..screw them.

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Nynia
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 09:14 AM

At the begining I slated Paltalk in a thread. Since then I appologised and admitted I was wrong.

Last night was not the greatest I've ever had on Paltalk but........we had three real highlights.

Firstly AggieBethie performed for us for the first time, what a pleasure to hear a young singer (that's it I guess I'm officially old now) who obviously so enjoys singing.

Secondly Pegean, after a multitude of mic problems, sang and played dulcimer for us also for the first time. We'll get you playing that fiddle next Peg.

Thirdly after two, oh so very long, months the McDucks have finally got their mic. going. Another paltalk first (or first for ages).

These three snippets of info are in no order of importance. The importance is the people who are enjoying the music in Paltalk and the amazingly varied range of contributions which they bring to the room. The pleasure I get from our new regular/occasional performers such as Leah, Elle, Dolphin Surfer, Theresa and Tpicker to name but a few is beyond words. When you add this to the far superior quality in which we can now enjoy superb singers like Jacko, Dave, Micca, LTS, Noreen, Morticia, Dick, Alan, DW the chucks & Margaret to name but a few, like wow what do I say. I agree that not everything in Paltalk is perfect and that the openness can be scary (I'm shy too believe it or not), but the advantages over hearme have been truly amazing. If you have not tried Paltalk yet I do urge you to give it a go (remember to check the adult box on the rooms screen).

Jon, thank-you for finding Paltalk, I hope you get your ISP problems sorted out before too long

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the musicians/singers (new and old) for making MCing the room such a pleasure for me. In fact it's such a pleasure I've not been studying for my exam on Monday half enough. LOL (any excuse in case I fail).


Nynia


:-)

-)

)

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: dwditty
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 09:26 AM

I, too, find Paltalk to be more stable and of better quality than hearme. I find it terrific to "discover" the new talent that shows up. See Nynia's list for some of the folks who have recently shown up in the Mudcat Room. Last night I couldn't open the MC Room so I went cruising. Many of these newer folks were in a room called "Guitar and Voice" and then everyone moved to another room called "Guitar, Voice, and violin" (I think). The room was well run by WindandAir. Lots of great players and singer. Maybe a little more folk rock than pure folk, but lots of fun nonetheless. They got some blues from me though. All in all, a nice group of people. Bottom line, I was up til almost 3 am. Jacko showed up just as I was leaving. Wish it had been a little earlier as he is one of my favorites. Suggestion: I miss the concerts, and for those, a locked room is a good idea to preserve the feeling of friends playing for friends. My 2 cents.

dw

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: MMario
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 09:30 AM

Concerts require volunteers to DO concerts! They were getting pretty thin on the ground just before Christmas. Tho' Midchuck is coordinating them - you can't expect him to spend much time begging people to do them. (However I still intend to do one the day after Valentine's *grin*)

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 10:37 AM

Paltalk works so much better for me than Hearme. Hearme used to throw me out every two minutes and the sound would break up regularly. Minimal in Paltalk.

I too miss the concerts. Glad to hear you are scheduled for one MMario.

I don't get in as often as I would like but I never see you there Jon. Time difference?

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 10:59 AM

I have a problem with pal talk..most of the singers are very hard to hear. The volume is not nearly high enough. (No, its not my ears)

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 11:05 AM

Re the comments over quality and stability: This is a new program and we don't know what it is like but I think it is unfair assume that it will be the same as the current Hearme.

The way I see it, the biggest problem we have is finding a program that provides reasonable quality and stability which is accesible to as many Mudcatters as possible and their are certain connection/ installation issues with Paltalk that are excluding some users that we don't seem able to solve.

I would be prepared to try this program for that reason but as I can't even get their demo to run, I am not too optimistic. As for setting this one up, it is web based and requires the specification of a web domain together with Names and URLs for each chat room at the time of sign up and I can not get it to create any rooms so I can not even complete the sign up. If anyone else wants to try it, they will need web space and be willing to play host in the same way Aine did with Hearme. Kendall's worry over the phone number only applies to the WebMaster - all the users have to cope with is the download of a Plugin.

The idea of Full Duplex is very interesting but I can't see it working for us the way I dream will one day be possible...

Maybe if no one has got it running before I get my ISP problems sorted, I will give it another go but I can't really afford the hours on line it will take me to try to get whatever problems I am having with their system sorted out at the moment.

Jon

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 11:41 AM

I sure would love to see the reincarnated HearMe fly, because I'm unable to get registered with PalTalk for mysterious reasons known only to God and programmers. And maybe not to God.

Not having the regular HearMe sessions I used to frequent has meant a real decrease in my quality of life. I look forward to a new HearMe, full duplex or not.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 12:42 PM

Dave, I was going to PM you that I've missed hearing you sing. Now, let all the world hear this, "YOUR PRESENCE IS SORELY MISSED!"

Mary

BTW, do you by any chance also sing "I Once Loved a Lass"?*BG* Or perchance, my version of "Sea Fever"?

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 01:43 PM

I'm with spaw and Dave on this one--I managed to get registered with PalTalk, but it did funky things to my computer, and would never let me in any room even if I had the password. I like the format of HearMe better, too.(and we could say "bad" words.........:)

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 02:10 PM

I've made no secret of how I feel. I much preferred HearMe, but the Paltalk quality is wonderful and there is that nice built-in hand-up-in-the-air-I'm-next feature, which I like. I like th coziness and all of Hearme.

I just tried to get this one going three time and can't get past the registration point, either. It acts as though their website is not ready to fuunction fully or something. Also, it asks for your "primary domain name" what is that, my ISP or my URL for one of my websites or do I ahve to have my own domain name (which I do)?

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 06:10 PM

well, I am with Dave O, as you can guess...if PalTalk can clue us in as to why some seemingly standard computer cant make it work, maybe we can all get in! This is the ONLY program I have not been able to install!..Im guessing that there is some conflicting setting or program...but PalTalk has not answered my begging emails

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Matt_R
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 07:12 PM

No, our HearMe page still acts up. I've been in there a lot recently, and about every 20 minutes, it starts disconnecting and reconnecting approximately every 5 seconds. It usually lasts for about 3-5 minutes. But anyway, I like Paltalk much better. I'm on there whenever I have even a second of free time.

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 07:33 PM

BillD, have you disabled any firewalls before you try it? That's what kept me from hearing in PalTalk.

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 09:25 PM

Mary in Kentucky:

I don't sing it, but I have, sung by Richard Dyer-Bennett, a song that starts, "I once loved a girl, and a bonny, bonny girl, who would come and would go at my request." Is that the one you mean? It's lovely. Now that you mention it, I might just learn it.

Thanx, by the way, for the kind words. Always appreciated, to be appreciated.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 10:15 PM

The one I love is an old ballad, in the DT as The False Bride...I just love to hear "the guys with the sexy accents" sing it!

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Jan 01 - 11:38 PM

kat...I have disabled firewalls before installation and even before downloading.....I have done everything I can thing of...even editing the registry to eliminate all reference to old PalTalk settings...what I suspect is, that I missed something...and that it writes to some obscure place that conflicts with needed settings...

The VERY first time I tried to install, I saw the questionaire they want filled out......but the installation failed..'possibly' because of firewalls, and now I can no longer even get that 'registration' thing...it installs all the files...(I think)...and the icons...and asks me for my password...then hangs and gives an error message about module "OleThreadWyndName"....it 'thinks' it is doing its job...but it never gets past that

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jan 01 - 01:19 AM

I never was able to complete my registration, but I just close the box reminders and then it stays up and I click on in. Sorry it doesn't work for you Bill. Have you tried wearing those magnetic gloves when you start the download? **BG**

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 21 Jan 01 - 09:07 AM

Although I don't recall the details, my experience is pretty much what Bill D described in his second paragraph. I think I got pretty close the first time, but it failed, and subsequent tries never got that far. When I try to declare a nickname and password it tells me they are not valid, or something like that.

I have gone so far--as did Bill D, I think--as deleting everything to do with PalTalk, including some that took a lot of looking and consulting with people, then downloading a new set of stuff from PalTalk and reinstalling; no such luck.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: re-creation of HearMe based free chat!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jan 01 - 12:29 PM

Dave, you probably already know this this, but I think it is possible it said the nickname and password weren't valid because the nickname was already being used. Juts a thought.

I miss hearing you, too!

kat