The voice chat software used at egroups.com is, I believe, a browser plug
in (maybe Java?) and is similar to that used at excite.com.  I think there
is a demo at http://www.lipstream.com

I have used voice chat successfully with JFW and a software synth.  My
sound card doesn't allow JFW to speak while using the voice chat, but
cards like the Sound Blaster Live are being used for this so-called
multi-channel activity.

With this chat software, you need only press the control key and speak and
you can hear several people in a chat room at the same time.  Obviously,
these friends need to take turns or the overlap in voices becomes
confusing.

The voice quality is good, with occasional loss of a sylable due to
connection speed.

Doug Hunsinger and I talked on the phone while using this voice chat and
it was interesting to note that the delays were different for us.  He
might hear someone speak first and I heard someone else a bit better.
These delays were a second or so, but data may take different paths and
pass through many relays.

I did not have to adjust mike sensitivity and the plug-in is installed in
seconds.

I'd suggest that anyone interested in audio uses of a computer join the
blind pc-audio list with a message to [log in to unmask]  It
is a busy, but informative and helpful list.

- Mark


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