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Hey guys, I was wondering if maybe we could run a non-commercial TeamSpeak server? It would be a nice way to talk to each other and maybe get some hands on assistance with coding or other things?

Hmm I like the idea as well. It`s not that hard to set up a TS server, or ventrilo. Maybe even a skype channel. I actually like ventrilo and skype more then i like TS.

I wouldn't recommend Skype, since it was bought out by Microsoft, it has been crap from what I heard...

This is a really good idea. +1

@SpiritWebb; what`s wrong with Microsoft? Skype as a product is quite good. The quality of the application itself is good, not to mention the high quality audio filters. Skype as a service is quite good. I even use it to organize meetings. Anyway, I still like the idea, however don`t cast out Skype just because it was bought by Microsoft.

Anyway, TeamSpeak is good as well, just as Ventrilo. Either works for us, I suppose. Just wanted to defend Skype. Oh and Microsoft, i guess. Not that i`m a huge fan or whatever, I still believe they offer good quality products.

Microsoft still offers many excellent products and services. Visual Studio is the intelligent, most advanced programming IDE on Earth, pretty much without question. Eclipse, Netbeans, Delphi and many others have been working for years to have as many features, as solid of code-completion, and everything else but it stays ahead of the pack (although it is a bit unfortunate not to be able to have native Java, PHP, and other support). Tons of the programming tools by Microsoft are also top-notch.

The way Microsoft is structured, it is basically like different studios working on various products and services, and Microsoft is just the publisher. They have some of the most talented engineers in the world working in some of those teams. Some products are better than others, just like some EA games are better than others, but don't let what basically amounts to the publisher turn you off of it.

I just heard from several people who use skype that it has turned into mush since the buyout...I still have it and use it...though i have noticed a slight decrease in performance...

It is very possible that there has been a decrease in performance. Oftentimes a sellout can mean the service was losing money, so another company buys it out to try to turn it profitable, which could mean a decrease in performance. I had always wondered how exactly Skype was making money, so I can easily imagine they weren't making enough to support the service. VoIP can be comparatively expensive to run, particularly if millions are using it for free.

I suppose is has something to do with being able to call? Hehe, Skype is a true VoIP application. You can use it to call anyone, anywhere, anytime. They offer exclusive phone numbers for calling. However, the downside these days is that Skype also works on mobile phones, so you can just call from your default user ID to other mobiles who run skype as well. So, yeah, profits in that sector do go down.

But hell, I don`t think Microsoft would`ve bought a service like Skype for fun. I`ll bet there`s a catch somewhere.

They definitely didn't buy them for fun If Skype was losing money, they likely got a bargain by just paying basically for the brand and the user-base, and not really for the profit (since likely there wasn't any); maybe a small extra amount for potential profit. Then their goal is to make it become profitable, and maybe even sell it off to someone else for much more money, or just keep running it while it is making money

Sorry to get off-topic hehe. I don't really have much to add as far as a TS or Vent server or Skype. All I know is that we have experimented at times with IRC and the like and no one ever seemed to be on it. I just don't know how much activity it would get.