About VoiceChatter

VoiceChatter is a free, cross-platform voice communication (chat) application. It was designed with gaming in mind, but can be used for many other purposes.

Why write VoiceChatter? Because there is no voice communication application that I am aware of that has excellent voice quality, AND supports all major platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac). I am a Linux hobbiest, and I would like to play games on it. However, the the two most popular applications either do not support Linux or have inferior voice quality.

Now you can have the best voice quality available on your platform of choice.

If you wish to try out VoiceChatter without setting up your own server, you can connect to "vcserver.dyndns.org", port 7878. Just leave the username and password fields blank.

I still need help! What I need most is a mac developer, but I could also use a linux developer, and maybe a graphic artist. See the contribute page for details.

VoiceChatter public server available

I've set up a VC server that anyone can use to try out the software without having to go through the hassle of setting up your own server. You can access it at the address "vcserver.dyndns.org", port 7878. Leave the username and password fields blank. I don't mind how you use it as long as you are not flagrantly abusing it.

Posted Jun 07, 2009

VoiceChatter 1.1.3 Released

This release fills in a lot of miscellaneous gaps in the last few versions. Here's a quick rundown of noteworthy changes:

  • Fixed a bug in sending chat messages that would prepend an extra character
  • Added ability to specify a specific network interface for the server to bind to (IPv4 only)
  • Added ability to specify where the server will write its log file
  • Added task bar icon functionality and the ability to minimize to the taskbar (windows/linux only)
  • Fixed a crash when disconnecting a remote admin connection soon after sending a command
  • Added a native input manager for mac, which should substantially improve input latency

    • Note: If you happen to experience a crash on startup with the mac port of this version, try opening ~/.voicechatter/vchat.conf and set "Use Native Input Manager" to "false". If you run into this issue, please post on the forums to let me know.

    Posted May 17, 2009

    VoiceChatter Commercial License Draft Available

    Attention hosting companies! I've written up a first draft of the commercial license for you to (or anyone) to view and provide suggestions/complaints. Keep in mind that nothing is set in stone and it could change drastically by the time it is finalized, especially when it comes to payment structure.

    You can view it in the forums here.

    Posted Mar 28, 2009

    VoiceChatter Server 1.1.2 Released

    This is another important bug fix release for the server only. This release fixes an issue where configuring server permissions through the user editor dialog was not working.

    Also, the mac server and clients are now available.

    As always, please report any issues found on the forums.

    Posted Mar 20, 2009

    VoiceChatter Server 1.1.1 Released

    This is a quick bugfix version and is for the server only. There are only 2 changes:

  • Fixed MOTD command logic in remote admin interface
  • Fixed linux remote admin interface so that it now accepts connections
    • If you don't even use the remote admin interface, or don't know what that means, it is not necessary to upgrade. It is not necessary to update clients either.

    Posted Mar 15, 2009

    VoiceChatter 1.1.0 Released

    I'm proud to announce the latest and greatest for VoiceChatter. This new official version includes an optional remote admin interface that can be accessed by opening a raw TCP socket on the same port as the regular listen port of a VC server. You should be able to do anything through this text-based remote admin interface that you can do through the client.

    Sorry, but I don't have a mac build right now. I should be able to get that together within a week.

    As always, post any issues that are found on the forums, and enjoy!

    Posted Mar 08, 2009

    VoiceChatter 1.1.0 BETA Released

    The next big version of VoiceChatter is almost complete. Since there are so many changes for this release, I am releasing a beta version that you can try to break...I mean...test. Please post any issues that you find on the forums. NOTE: For the windows client, just overwrite the executable in the zip file with what is in the 1.0.0 release. Sorry, but I can't build an installer today. UPDATE: The windows client has now been built and is available for download.

    Highlights:

  • Added user and group functionality for admin privileges
  • Added user editor dialog for editing permissions for users/groups
  • Added a new channel authorization method that only allows certain users/groups to join
  • Added ability for guests to register themselves with the server (server configuration)
  • Added channel-specific permissions/kicks/bans
  • Fixed a few issues with ban list dialog updates
  • Added a server Message of the Day (MOTD)
  • Added channel comments
  • Added ability to page users
  • Reworked server admin dialog for better completeness
  • Channel passwords will now save so they don't need to be entered every time

    • Posted Feb 28, 2009

    VoiceChatter Server 1.0.1 Released

    This release addresses a specific bug where the server would appear to hang after a client disconnected. This issue happened very rarely, but I felt that it needed a fix before the next big version. There are no updates to the client at this time.

    Posted Jan 27, 2009

    VoiceChatter 1.0.0 Released!

    VoiceChatter has received some more features and polish. Major changes include:

  • Added ability to record conversations
  • Transmit start/stop now has "soft edges" (audio will now fade in/out instead of cut in/out)
  • Fixed a crash on exit after disabling sounds
  • Changed some of the menus to be more user friendly
  • Fixed an audio issue when muting specific users
  • Added buttons to config screen on windows for opening the system audio control panels
  • The VoiceChatter window will now be guaranteed to be displayed on screen (i.e. not at some position that is completely off of the desktop area)
  • Fixed linux/mac daemon mode ("--daemon" command line argument) so that it will no longer behave erratically

    • Posted Nov 05, 2008

    VoiceChatter 0.9.8 Released

    VoiceChatter 0.9.8 has been released! Major changes include:

    • One-time server configuration prompts
    • IPv6 support
    • Native linux daemon support (--daemon)
    • Fixed a crash that might happen while binding the push to talk key
    • Fixed a server bug that would frequently disconnect clients and/or not accept any new ones
    • Fixed disconnect event notification

    Posted Sep 02, 2008

    New website launched!

    Today I'm launching a new website that's more sleek and clean. Thanks to Travis Wissler for designing/building the new site.

    Posted Jun 07, 2008

    VoiceChatter 0.9.7 Released

    VoiceChatter 0.9.7 has been released! Major changes include:

    • Fixed text to speech on linux/mac
    • Improved input and output quality at high volumes
    • More control over inbound/outbound volume modifiers
    • New server admin dialog
    • Improved default audio device detection

    Only the windows and linux versions have been released due to my current inability to build the mac port. It will be released as soon as I can get a build together. I'm still looking for a mac person for building the mac ports. A linux person wouldn't hurt either. See the contribute page if you would like to help out.

    UPDATE: A major flaw was found with this version that has now been corrected. If you crash while trying to connect, re-download and reinstall VoiceChatter, and the problem should be fixed.

    UPDATE 2: The mac version has been completed and released. It is built on OSX 10.5 on an intel processor. It it known not to work with ppc, and it may not work with earlier versions of OSX. If you run into problems and your mac is not running OSX 10.5 or an intel processor, then you will have to build from source. I am always available through email or the forums if you need help with building.

    Posted May 18, 2008