Ventrilo
Encyclopedia
Ventrilo is a proprietary
VoIP software which includes text chat.
The Ventrilo client and server are both available as freeware
for use with fewer than 8 people on the same server (rented servers can maintain as many as 100+ people). The server
software is available for Microsoft Windows
, Mac OS X
, or Unix
variants such as Linux
, Kopi, Solaris, NetBSD
and FreeBSD
. The client
is available for Windows and Mac OS X. Presently, however, the Mac OS X
client is still unable to properly use most servers, due to a lack of support for the widely used GSM codec. A Linux version is planned, but a third-party Linux client named Mangler is available under the GPL license. Ventrilo currently supports GSM Full Rate
, and Speex
as their main codecs.
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games", research paper at stylized-lotus.com http://stylized-lotus.com/Stylized_Lotus/Games_files/Paper.pdf, accessed Sept 20, 2010
Ventrilo is also used as a call-in method on radio shows, and for general voice-chat.
, was the setting for the popular dance hit Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA
by Swedish artist Basshunter
in 2006. The songname is roughly translated to "We're sitting in Ventrilo playing DotA".
The lyrics of "The Guild"'s song "Game on" references ventrilo: "Game on / invite sent / Game on / I'm on vent"
Proprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
VoIP software which includes text chat.
The Ventrilo client and server are both available as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
for use with fewer than 8 people on the same server (rented servers can maintain as many as 100+ people). The server
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
software is available for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, or Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
variants such as Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Kopi, Solaris, NetBSD
NetBSD
NetBSD is a freely available open source version of the Berkeley Software Distribution Unix operating system. It was the second open source BSD descendant to be formally released, after 386BSD, and continues to be actively developed. The NetBSD project is primarily focused on high quality design,...
and FreeBSD
FreeBSD
FreeBSD is a free Unix-like operating system descended from AT&T UNIX via BSD UNIX. Although for legal reasons FreeBSD cannot be called “UNIX”, as the direct descendant of BSD UNIX , FreeBSD’s internals and system APIs are UNIX-compliant...
. The client
Client (computing)
A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....
is available for Windows and Mac OS X. Presently, however, the Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
client is still unable to properly use most servers, due to a lack of support for the widely used GSM codec. A Linux version is planned, but a third-party Linux client named Mangler is available under the GPL license. Ventrilo currently supports GSM Full Rate
Full Rate
Full Rate or FR or GSM-FR or GSM 06.10 was the first digital speech coding standard used in the GSM digital mobile phone system. The bit rate of the codec is 13 kbit/s, or 1.625 bits/audio sample...
, and Speex
Speex
Speex is a patent-free audio compression format designed for speech and also a free software speech codec that may be used on VoIP applications and podcasts. It is based on the CELP speech coding algorithm. Speex claims to be free of any patent restrictions and is licensed under the revised BSD...
as their main codecs.
Usage
Ventrilo is widely used by gamers, who refer to it as Vent, and who use the software to communicate with other players on the same team of a multiplayer game. Ventrilo is chosen by gamers for a number of reasons. First, the client uses minimal CPU resources. Second, communicating by voice gives a competitive advantage by allowing players to communicate more quickly than typing messages to one another. Third, the ability to use a voice activated system allows messages to be passed without diverting the players' attention from the game interface. Finally, if the game crashes voice communication is maintained.Clas Olson, "The Tactical Importance of Voice Communication inMassively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games", research paper at stylized-lotus.com http://stylized-lotus.com/Stylized_Lotus/Games_files/Paper.pdf, accessed Sept 20, 2010
Ventrilo is also used as a call-in method on radio shows, and for general voice-chat.
In popular culture
The Ventrilo software, alongside Warcraft III: Defense of the AncientsDefense of the Ancients
Defense of the Ancients is a custom scenario for the real-time strategy game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, based on the "Aeon of Strife" map for StarCraft...
, was the setting for the popular dance hit Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA
Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA
"Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA" is a song by Swedish dance DJ Basshunter which samples in a remixed version the song "Daddy DJ" by Daddy DJ...
by Swedish artist Basshunter
Basshunter
Jonas Erik Altberg , better known by his stage name Basshunter, is a Swedish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ. He is best known for his number one hits "Boten Anna", "Dota", "Now You're Gone" and "All I Ever Wanted". Basshunter has so far released a total of six albums, two of which have...
in 2006. The songname is roughly translated to "We're sitting in Ventrilo playing DotA".
The lyrics of "The Guild"'s song "Game on" references ventrilo: "Game on / invite sent / Game on / I'm on vent"
See also
- Vent harassment
- TeamSpeakTeamSpeakTeamSpeak is a proprietary Voice over IP software that allows users to speak on a chat channel with other users, much like a telephone conference call. A TeamSpeak user will often wear a headset with an integrated microphone...
- Mohawk VoiceMohawk VoiceMohawk Voice is a low resource VoIP program originally released in November 2009 which is free to download and use. The program is supported on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 in 32-bit and 64-bit platforms...
- Mumble
- Roger WilcoRoger Wilco (software)Roger Wilco is a Voice over IP application used by multiplayer video game players, usually in combination with a headset. The name is derived from a common voice procedure in two-way radio. Roger stands for "I understand what you just said" and wilco is short for "will comply"...
- SkypeSkypeSkype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...