A Chinese-forums VOIP-chat server - thoughts?

[Duomi]

Though I am new to this forum community, I think that a dedicated VOIP server, such as ventrilo, would be a great way to practice our 普通话 with each other. I personally know none of the admins or really any other dedicated members, so I don't want to start something "unsanctioned." But, I would be willing to help chip-in for the cost of the server, which wouldn't be more than USD$7-10 per month for a 30 slot server. 

 

Basically, a VOIP server would be like a giant skype room, though we could create different "rooms" on the server based on topic/interest/level of fluency etc... Administrators would moderate and ensure the place is kept civil and conducive for learning Chinese.

 

After the server is set-up, there would be a login password to ensure that only forum members gain access, and all you would have to do to join is download/install the VOIP software, be it ventrilo or whatever. 

 

Thoughts? What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

[wushucrab20]

Sounds interesting. If this was set up I would definitely use it to practice.

[AdamD]

Would it not make more sense to use an existing solution? If a dedicated VoIP implementation would be just like a giant Skype room, would a giant Skype room not suffice?

 

Also, my feeling is the members here would just keep doing what they're doing. In a world with QQ, WeChat, Line, WhatsApp and Skype, if a new thing is even slightly inconvenient or costs money, I know I won't use it.

 

And then there's hoping the admins will agree to administer a series of live voice chats in addition to the forums.

 

Forgive me if I'm missing something or jumping the gun here.

[889]

I find that it's too easy for the accents to stray out of tune in foreigner-to-foreigner Chinese. You really need a native speaker on line to serve as a pitchpipe.

[Duomi]

AdamD,

 

the idea would that it would be dedicated, so users could log-in when convenient, and, if others are online as well, start a conversation, etc. As far as I know, QQ, WeChat, Skype, etc... cannot be used as a dedicated VOIP server, meaning that for each voice-chat session, someone has to initiate the session and invite others. 

 

Also, QQ and WeChat do not have real-time voice chat functions for groups (i.e. like Skype.) As for the costs, it is USD$7-10 for the entire server per month; I would be perfectly willing to contribute such a sum if it meant an opportunity to connect with fellow Chinese learners. 

 

Anyway, I just wanted to bring this up, and, if no takers then no takers. 

[AdamD]

Ah, so it fills a specific gap. Thanks for clarifying.

[roddy]

To be honest I think you'd be better off finding Chinese people on wechat or whatsapp or Skype, and using whatever voice chat functions you have there - I can see push-to-talk features being very useful. I don't think we'd get that many people using such a service, and the odds of finding someone at the appropriate level at the right time would be low. 

[imron]

I don't think we'd get that many people using such a service,

Judging by activity in Chinese Corner sub-forum, I'd say you're likely right.

[Shelley]

It would be nice to be able to chat to forum members but I don't think that it would actually work. Not sure why but it just doesn't seem to be the sort of thing that suits the forum.

 

I think it might be because it is less "anonymous" not in any bad way but it is one level up from typing.  I have just thought, I don't know if hearing what everyone sounds like is a good idea, might be a bit weird, I am sure people would not sound how I would expect.

[Divato]

You could consider YY语音. It's originally designed for game players to communicate instantly and now you can create your own channel and do group chat, something like that. I never really used it so I don't know if this can served your needs and the whether server support foreign users or not.

[m000gle]

This sounds like a great idea!

 

The skeptic in me does wonder whether we would be able to maintain sufficient numbers in the chat server at any given time, and whether language levels varying widely between participants would limit this project's success; but these seem more like challenges which can be overcome, as opposed to any insurmountable obstacles.

 

With regards to technology and hosting, I would recommend something like Mumble (http://wiki.mumble.info/wiki/Main_Page).

 

It's free, open source, and cross platform (Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, Windows, Android).  It uses minimal bandwidth, and can adjust the quality/algorithm used in order to balance quality and performance.  It has text chat functionality as well as the voice which we are looking for.  You can create multiple "rooms", depending on skill, topic being discussed etc.  It could, in theory, be hosted on the same server(s) as Chinese Forums (assuming admin support); and, should third party hosting be required, $5 USD per month would be sufficient.  It's also no more difficult than any other client software to use.

 

In a nutshell: If we would like to increase potential adoption and use, amongst a wider audience, and save on hosting, a Skype or QQ group is probably best as most people will have them installed and have some familiarity already; if that's not a concern, something like Mumble would be awesome!

[hedwards]

I think you'd be better off starting a group over at voxopop.com . One of the issues in doing skype or similar here is the huge range of time zones. I'm at GMT -8, China is at GMT +8 and I know there's some folks on here in the UK which is generally about GMT 0.

 

I'm having my first session on italki with a man in Suzhou, so I'll have to see how that works out. It's rather affordable, but more importantly, he's there specifically to help me with my Mandarin so I don't need to worry too much about the numerous holes in my Chinese. I can focus a bit more on filling them in and developing my confidence.