Paltalk
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Stable release | 9.8 build 326 / July, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Preview release | - |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| License | Proprietary |
Paltalk (pronounced /pɑɫtɑːk/)[dubious ][which language is this?] is a service that allows users to communicate via instant messaging, voice and video chat. It offers thousands of chat rooms and the ability for users to create their own on any topic. Paltalk is available in two formats: PaltalkScene and PaltalkExpress.
PaltalkScene is a downloadable software application that is free and banner-supported. At the Basic no charge subscription level, users are able to enter any chat room and IM and have limited video chat capabilities. At the paid, no-ad subscription levels, users can view and publish webcams, as well as make phone calls. Both Basic and Paid members can participate in a SuperIM chat room with free video and up to 10 people simultaneously. PaltalkScene is currently only available for Windows users.
PaltalkExpress is a flash-based application that is free and does not contain any banner ads. It can be accessed within any internet browser, e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, etc. It is available for Windows, Mac OS and Linux users.
Paltalk is owned by AVM Software, which is a privately held company founded in 1998 and based in New York. Paltalk claims 4 million users worldwide,making it the largest voice and video chat community on the World Wide Web. It also owns and operates HearMe, a video and voice-enabled web conferencing service that allows users to conduct group meetings. Paltalk became popular after Firetalk, an earlier voice/music chat program, became unable to maintain operation due to a lack of adequate funding.
Contents |
[edit] Service Levels
Paltalk users have the options to subscribe to different service levels as described below:
- Black Nicks: Free service of Paltalk, called PaltalkScene Basic. People with black nicks have the ability to use the program for audio chat, publishing videos, transferring files, and can add up to 199 users in their Pal List. Users with black nicks have banner ads supporting Paltalk (meaning they will see ad banners in all chat Rooms/SuperIM (IM) Windows). Ability to join 3 voice rooms simultaneously. Viewing vedio will require the user to subscribe.
- Blue Nicks: Paid service called PaltalkScene Plus that gives the users the ability of audio chat, publishing videos, viewing streaming videos up to 6 cams simultaneously at up to 5fps stream rate, transferring files, ability to join 3 voice rooms simultaneously, and adding up to 499 members in their Pal List. Users with Blue Nicks have the option to enable/disable banner ads on the program.
- Green Nicks: Paid service called PatalkScene Extreme that gives users the ability of audio chat, publishing videos, viewing as many cams as they may like with a stream rate up to 15fps, transferring files, and adding up to 999 members in their Pal List. Members with Extreme subscriptions can join up to 3 voice rooms simultaneously and have the option to enable/disable banner ads.
- Purple Nicks: At the time that PalTalk version 9.0 was introduced, certain Paltalk Extreme members were given the opportunity to become "PalTalk VIPs". Members who accepted this change had their nicknames changed to purple, and their pal-profiles decorated with a purple star next to their nicks. However, aside from this there are no other obvious benefits or responsibilities associated with the new status. The only known method of obtaining a VIP nick is that the person must at the time be subscribed to the Extreme service. The criterion for keeping a purple nick once assigned is that the account must be kept paid up. Starting January 21, 2008, members can purchase purple nicknames. If one is already subscribed at the PaltalkScene Plus (with the purchase of the purple nick, becomes Extreme), or Extreme levels, their already subscribed service is overrun by VIP status.
- Gold Nicks: Rooms with 1000+ members
[edit] Shows
Paltalk produces a number of original programs for its PaltalkScene platform including News Talk Online, Hollywood Now with Joanne Colan, MusicScene, etc. The hosted shows feature notable celebrities, politicians, musicians and entertainers that are able to interact live with the viewers through video chat. Guests have included Stephen King, Slash, JoJo, Lonestar, and casts of popular television shows and movies. Paltalk’s original programs are considered by many as examples of socialcasting. Diana Falzone and Barry 99 is the spokesman.
[edit] Media coverage
Paltalk has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, The Dallas Morning News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Post, the British Broadcasting Corporation and CNET among others[citation needed].
As well as coverage by mainstream media. The company has also received publicity for hosting live chats with numerous celebrities and politicians including Reverend Jesse Jackson, Howard Zinn Barry 99 and Noam Chomsky hosted by The People Speak Radio Show, Dan Burstein, and family therapist Kim West a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”.
[edit] Suicide
The company came under fire from the British press in 2007, after a Shropshire man was urged by users to commit suicide live on his webcam. Kevin Whitrick, 42, from Wellington, Shropshire, was in an insult chat room with up to 60 other users, only one of which called the police after witnessing the hanging. Internet user Carol Vickers called the police after watching Mr Whitrick hang himself with an electrical cord, the others believing that Mr Whitrick was "playing a prank."
Mr. Whitrick's suicide is believed to be the UK's first suicide transmitted live to an audience. His ex-wife said he had been in a serious car crash in July 2006 and had never fully recovered.[citation needed]
The coroner called for the banning of "insult chatrooms". An insult chatroom is a chatroom where participants exchange insults with others within the room.[1]
[edit] HearMe
HearMe, acquired by Paltalk in 2001, and re-launched as a product in 2007, provides desktop voice and video conferencing in a scalable manner, allowing up to 2,000 simultaneous participants in each meeting "room".
Its capabilities include built-in VoIP, Desktop Sharing and Video
HearMe features:
Web Based Meeting Rooms
- Invite and join meetings using Outlook
- Create and access meetings quickly with a unique URL
- Personalize the details displayed to your meeting attendees
Application/Desktop Sharing
- Share any application, desktop, or file
- Display PowerPoint and other presentations with animations and transitions
- Broadcast and share pre-recorded video
- Stream video from a webcam or camcorder
- Transfer files to individual meeting participants
- Send private text messages to meeting attendees
- See Barry 99 on paltalk
[edit] Paltalk Express
| Developer(s) | AVM Software |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 4.0.1693 revision r9534 / April 29, 2009 |
The company has now released an online browser based version of PaltalkScene called Paltalk Express. The client requires Adobe Flash Player and Java to run. It has nearly all the features compared to PaltalkScene.
Brief Feature Description:
A huge community Millions and millions of members Thousands of chat room topics From astrology to zoology and everything in between Use any computer, any browser PCs, Macs, IE, Firefox, Opera, etc. No download required Chat quickly and easily
Paltalk Express uses the Paltalk Chat Engine (4.0.1082 revision r9283 - April 21 2009 8:26:51pm)
