Is anyone happy, excited optimistic about voice coming?

I have mixed feelings about it, but truthfully I've sorta been looking forward to this day with a bit of dread. I enjoy text chat. It has a certain rythm that lends itself to a specific kind of humor that really doesn't translate to speech. I'm also a big fan of writing, and I love chatting with people who are articulate or who have interesting ways of using language - ways that will likely not translate to the spoken word.

I also like that I can do several things at once and turn my attention away from the conversation for a few moments without missing anything, and without offending whoever I'm speaking with. If you've ever talked on the phone to someone that was obviously not completely paying attention because you can hear them typing or doing something else in the background and felt a bit offended, well better get used to it because it's now going to be the norm.

I'm sure we'll get used to it, and to new people who arrive after its implemented it will seem normal and ubiquitous, but for this old timer, eh, I'll most likely be sticking to text, aside from one on one voice chat with select individuals. No one likes change and we all always manage to weather it, but this is going to change things in a big way.

I also can't say I'm too thrilled that it appears that land owners will be footing the bill. If that's the case (which I don't know for certain) then I suspect business owners will feel pressured to have it enabled and to pay for it even if they don't really want it. Time will tell I guess.

I'm moving house in about 6 weeks, and I'll need to get a new computer after then. i won't be including a headset or mike as a part of that package.

As it happens, there is a very small circle of friends among whom I would do voicechat with. But chances are high that you aren't one of them; if you are, you probably already have my skype details.

Work-wise, it doesn't really help me. I often find myself holding 3 different text chats. This is impossible if talking with voice to anyone; it tkes too much concentration. I also abuse my sleep patterns way too much, and would sound really dopey most of the time I'm online.

Play-wise, it's no good either. I don't want to be reminded that my ten year old neice is really 75 and reliving a second childhood.

otoh, I can see that for corporate meetings and for live eentertainers, it is a wonderful option. It also makes the hand-over between succesive DJs at clubs perfectly smooth, in theory at least.

Short answer -- No.

Longer answer -- Still not excited. I'm old, my voice sounds like gravel, and I grew tired of hearing it (my own voice) years ago - I don't doubt that others will do the same. If someone truly wants to talk to me, Skype me.

Text is perfectly adequate for me. While it doesn't give the emotional intonation that true voice communications can/will do, it DOES allow the sender a moment to pause and reflect on what they are about to say (although we all know *that* is a rare occurance).

If you want to use voice, go for it. I'll stick with old school - I've been using text to communicate since the dark ages of 100 baud TTY, and I think I'll just keep sticking with it.

I foresee....

... A new method of griefing ...

... The stars are very clear now.

I'm autistic. The expected delay in typed chat, and the relaxed turn-taking rules, allows me to participate. Voice chat will be yet another place I can't participate. Oh, joy.

And do you suppose infantile jerks will use it as another way of attention-getting? No, that wouldn't happen in SL, would it?

I hope there's a way to get music and environment noises with chat turned off.

It seems to me a lot of the negative comments are assuming that if SL is voice-enabled, they'll have to use it, or have to turn it on.

Personally, I'm looking forward to voice very much for group discussions and business meetings. Until now I've been using Skype and Teamspeak; the SL voice seems like it has some advantages over those.

BTW, I've never had a problem with voice via Skype or Teamspeak affecting lag in any way.

Im not sure youve been actually getting the gist of the negative comments reguarding voice.

-They arent assuming they will have to use it, They are assuming they will be EXPECTED to use it.



-Others have disagreements with LL's implementation/pricing scheme.


-Others like text chat have always liked chat and would rather the world still use one chat system than a mixed one.

-Finally there are those who doesnt think LL is up to the job of providing this system Lag free, glitch free. They also feel a bit annoyed LL chose to concentrate on this as opposed to stuff that SL really needs.

Another shining example of Lindens not having a clue. Rolling out unwanted "features" while broken things go unfixed.

I'm okay with voice chat if its by choice and I would use it with just a few close friends...
and I would not want to hear shouting or creepy stuff from grievers.

There are people who find the typing awkward and would like to speak (my partner is one of them). For him, it would include him more and he has a great voice!

That's not going to deter the average Karokee singer

I am truley afraid that karokee will be the new rage in clubs.

Worst thing is we don't have virtual alcohol to dampen it's effects

I do not enjoy knowing that we will be having voice chat in SL for quite a few reasons. However i learned from LL that it doesn't matter what WE want, it's all about what brings in money and publicity. My first thoughts are it will isolate people from the community. It will ruin roleplay as it is by making you have to use your REAL voice. If you play a chibi character like me, it's not gona be fun. If you gender play, your up a creak unless you can have a quick sex change. It also isn't something a lot of people want. If you would read many of the topics about it on these forums theres more people who do not want it.

Seeing that it is being added anyway, i must express how it should not be handled. I believe it should be limited to chat range, and a group option to allow specific roles to use it. Also somebodies got to host it... We don't want it lagging LL's servers more then they are. Those of you who use skype know what i mean. Having it hosted by others is also good in case your current sim goes down so you may still participate. We will need icons next to our name tags above our heads to show that we are voice enabled like on THERE, so the idiots don't start cussing us out for not responding. I would also like some way of knowing who is chatting. Perhaps a tag icon for that too?

I enjoy imagining voices in my mind for all the people I meet on all games in Avatar form. Teamspeak and Ventrilo really kills all that in RPG's.....especially when talking to an Iksar in one game who happens to have a Jersey accent in RL.

My SL partner and I use Skype for working in Paintshop together and romantic times. It's nice to have voice when you need your hands free for other things.

I'm sure there will be a way to opt out and mute so I wouldn't worry about it too much. It'll be there if you ever need it for anything though.

Wait - this is a reason *for* voice chat?

Mari

My idea of how voice would work. Set it up as one of the function of the pie chart. You click on a person and a talk option is in the pie. The receiver of the talk is given a yes or no option to talk to engage in the conversation. The you can then have a private one on one conversation. So options to take part in or cancel out of group conversation should be present too. For the time being one on one is the only time I would be interested in using it unless there is an appointed speaker to the group gatherings.

Just a guy

I am looking forward to voice in SL

There are many of my friends I would love to sit and actually talk to. And to learn a new language or 2 or 3 is exciting and I forsee lots of language classes starting up

I do not understand why those who do not like the idea are upset, my understanding is that it will be an option, you will not be forced to listen to people talk. Just as we are not forced to listen to streaming music now.

Then again I do DJ on SL, so many of my friends (and strangers) have heard my voice, so it would be nice to finally hear their's

I do not mind if others dislike it, the voice ability will definately be turned on, on my own land, and I will use it in any land that has it...

I am anxious to see how it will all be used by the different people.

Imagine a sales person, you can actually TALK to with questions and such.... or a class that the instructor can actually SPEAK to you.... or just sitting with a group of friends at your place and TALKING.... yes I am excited... very excited

I forsee much more... gatherings at my place

This sentiment is echod often by those in favor of voice through all these threads. However at the end of a long thread like this you either didnt read it or have poor reading comprehension.

I understand not AGREEING with people who are upset - but not understanding why?

I even summed it up the con side, just 12 posts ago on this very thread.

Call it a pet peave but being completly ignored is truley annoying.

People disagreeing with me and others who have concerns - I can respect that.

I dont respect people who are oblivious.

I say bring it on before Microsoft corners the market:

http://ideas.live.com/mainpage.aspx

Click on Windows Live for TV Beta, bottom right.

Embrace, Extend, Extinguish!

This will totally mess up my furry ageplaying. What sound does a baby rabbit make anyways?

*squish*

OMG, AJ your response was mean and sick and inappropriate and terribly, terribly FUNNY. Thanks for making my evening.

Not particully.