Voice just makes $ense

Why are there not more classes, discussion groups, business', etc with VOICE???

SL without voice, is like movies before sound

Uh oh.. duck, there seems to be a huge croud of voice haters in the forum (present company excluded...). But to answer your question, more residents will likely use voice once it's incorporated into the standard release.

I have been using voice a lot, however I've been typing a lot at the same time (Take that voice-haters. People can do BOTH). I'm kind of scared when it hits the main viewer though and will be a little sad as lately the First Look Client has been way way more stable that the regular client.

OMG! A chink in the mighty Tybalt armor!

Because it is much easier to take notes or minutes if the text chat is being logged (i.e. the software takes the minutes/notes/transcript for you), than with voice (which means you will have to start taking lecture notes again, or appoint a minute taker for meetings).

Also you will now have to be much more careful about avoiding RL distractions whilst in such meetings, as you can no longer be afk for half a minute and catch up on the conversation when you get back by quickly scanning the chat history. Or IM someone to clarify a point, and for both of you to be able to quickly pick up the main conversation from the chat history (rather than get back a "shush, I'm trying to listen" response).

Personally, I would prefer to use voice for 1-1 casual conversations with people I know but use text for meetings etc., because of the above.

Swings and roundabouts - you may gain somethings with voice, but you also loose functionality too!

Matthew

I insist my students download the voice client to attend class. Even if they do not respond using voice they can at least hear a lesson. I find that instead of a cursory lesson that can be typed quickly - we deliver a more well-rounded training experience by providing documentaion and open discussion to our classes. Ours is a vocational school for SL to teach people how to work as a host, use DJ equipment or become a club manager. Most of our students started SL under a week ago. We could not handle the class sizes we handle now if we did not use voice to respond to the many questions our students have.

And the moral of the story is.....If it meets your needs and you want to use it fine. If not, then you don't have to. I won't be using it. IF it ever shows up on the main viewer.

Just because you can and do does not mean EVERYONE will.

The way I'm seeing it, everyone says they refuse to USE a client that has voice capabilities. Yet, how many of these "Anti-Voice" people have Instant Messengers with voice capabilities? Guess they shouldn't use those either. I've used different IM clients with voice, but only used the Voice feature when it served my purpose.

Voice is like the "Stop All Animations" menu option. Sometimes you need it. Sometimes you don't. Just depends on the situation.

I've been using voice and typing at the same time. You can tell who around you can hear you so if they can't then type to them. Most of the time i don't see anyone using voice around me so i don't usually have to use it either, unless i wanna laugh at them without them knowing (jk).

/me raises her hand as one of the Doesn't use any of the IM's.....at all.

They need Trillian. It's compatability with the protocols by the various clients doesn't work for voice any more--hasn't for over a year.

Oh, Trillian knows how to do voice-via-YIM (or whatever) as does the official client, but they aren't compatible (blame Yahoo) and refuses to work.

;P

OMG!! You weirdo!!!

As a business owner, I think this will make tech support MUCH easier.

Thanks.

I used to use ICQ and Yahoo - before they had voice or at lleast I noticed if they did.

I dont use either of those now - Just SL.

I still use the phone - but with caller ID Im pretty darn choosy who I speak to.

Of course voice makes sense—it makes sense to builders, companies, teachers, those holding meetings, friends, those that enjoy verbalizing freely, I could go on and on.

On the flip-side however, many people are insecure, slow-thinkers, shy, foreign, or AVs that absolutely need to keep their RL ego under wraps…there will always be complaints.

The reason you don’t see it more, is because it just came out. No worries, once they solidify the structure, the Freelook Viewer will become the standard download. Give it time…Voice will reign supreme.

It’s a natural evolutionary step in virtual worlds to incorporate voice. Those that fight against it only need know they can feel secure in the fact that 1) they aren’t getting rid of text, and 2) there is always a mute option.



Was their a particular reason to put up a trolling post such as this in this thread?

There are still threads not closed where the nastier side of the debate over voice is going on.

Colette, you have had a problem with me from day one. Do you know why? Because I'm open and honest.

My post is not trolling...it's honest. And whether you like it or not, it's the truth. Rather than YOU being a troll, perhaps you could reply with an intelligent retort? Do you disagree with what I say? Fine, let's here why...support your hypocrisy.

This is also trolling you are basically calling me out -

And of course by the way you construct the sentence of your final challenge no matter what I say - os supposedly hypocracy.

While I have made a point to remind some people who are gung-ho for voice there will be drawbacks - I have not made a point to insult the actual voicers who not involved in the discussion.

While things got nasty between me and squeezeone, I think if you research my posts you will see my arguments were directly against people for what they said, Not broadly stereotyping people and their motivations.

You however make statements such as this - reminicent of your original post on this subject - the one that I took exception to before (the "Day one" you refer to)



In this statement you are being very dismissive not only of people who disagree with you, but also of anyone who doesnt want to use voice.


Ill state it again to be clear,

I have no problem with people who want to use voice, at all. I never did.

My concerns are when they unrealisticly assume the transition will be painless, and when they unrealisitcly dismiss actual problems that crop up.

There are a couple of People who approach "debate" on these forums in a disrespectful way that I have gotten angry with and exchanged insults,

However I think that some make up in their own minds what I have said about this subject.

Tell me Michael how voice makes sense to:

those in households who do not want the entire house to listen into their SL activities

those who run businesses who often are dealing with multiple IMs as well as with the in world conversation?

those who can't glue themselves completely to a computer, and who can currently go afk for a few minutes to quickly make of cup of coffee, answer a call of nature, put the cat out, etc. but still quickly catch up on the conversation by reading the text history

those who find the chat logs extremely useful as aide memoires when meeting previous acquaitances out of context, providing transcripts of meetings/workshops/lectures

builders and business people who find the chat log a useful resource in reminding them exactly what the customer asked for either doing the work, or if a dispute emerges

builders who prefer to finish the task in hand, and then respond to an incoming question via IM or in chat

voice activated scripts whose purpose is to react to surrounding conversation (some of which are useful teaching aids in said workshops)

translation tools like babbler which rely on being able to read to the surrounding conversation

those who legitimately come to SL for escapism or roleplay whose natural voice doesn't fit the role of a small furry rodent, 10 foot metal robot, wizened wizard, bronzed warrior etc.

the non-native English speaker who finds text much easier than speach because they can read/type it at their speed not the native speakers speed, and do not have to cope with accents

those without headsets

those running Linux who do not have a voice viewer (with no estimates from LL when or even if one will emerge)

I could go on - there are far more reasons not to use voice than those you outline


My biggest fear is the impact on the 3D aspects of SL. As observed above, at the moment scripted objects can interact with avatars on a level playing field (i.e. everyone including objects says and hears texts) - with voice, the danger is that scripts like texters become second class citizens as per your original post. This is a fundamental perceptional shift!

It has also been observed that may voice users stand around like statues, not even looking at the person they are talking to - there is a danger than a venue in SL becomes little more that an aggregating location for people to hold a voice conversation with no-one particular interested in the actual 3D environment (either the visuals or the functional aspects). Add in the current chatterbox which lumps all the communication tools into one place so you can forget about the 3D aspects of SL, and in any case on all but 24" or higher displays you can't see the 3D interface, and suddenly SL is merely a set of voice chat rooms.

Basically voice will have a *lot* of ramifications and some *major* impacts on SL and not all positive. LL seems not to have given much thought to the ramifications but rushed ahead in implementing it because they can (and what has annoyed some people is that they have done so despite not having implemented some other major features wanted by far more people than those who want voice, wanted for far longer than voice, and promised by LL back when LL were saying they would never implement voice - I'm thinking of things like html on a prim and a better physics engine here).

Matthew

You have a real talent for insulting people in just about every post you make. In my opinion, you are a rude, condescending, arrogant ,elitist.

To be perhaps a little more clear

There is a difference between

1. Arguing with someone on the opposing side of the issue.

2. Arguing with the Chorus of what the other side says in the debate.

-and-

3. Casting broad stereotypes about all those who will or wont be using the feature being debated on.

I have done the first frequently, the second depending on the situation, I try to avoid the third case.

I feel you, Michael, on many occasions construct your posts refering to the 3rd case. Perhaps you mean to take issue with the chorus of dissent but you aim too broadly. That is why I took exception to your first post on this issue , and to your latest post on this issue.

In addition THIS thread had been really pretty calm - there was no reason to say the other side was insecure, slow thinkers, etc.

Perhaps some of those you are so quick to dismiss are actually adept at voice - they simply prefer not to use it. Possibly becuase they would rather not coverse with people who display such discriminatory attitudes.

Ok, I'll get started...


1) Should the entire community suffer for those that don't have privacy in their RL home? This example doesn't hold water, I'll move on.

2) Text isn't going anywhere, I never said it was. If you need to document a meeting, use text, I never said people are going to stop documenting. My point is, when meeting with a client to discuss certain options, it's much more efficient to move along at a good clip--if I need to take notes, I do. Simply open up a notecard while talking to a client, and take 'minutes.' Time is money folks...in RL, AND SL...a voice meting with a clients saves me LOTS of time. As far as juggling multiple IM's...of course when you're in a voice conversation with someone, you have to choose a priority. Such is life, AND SL...it's not that confusing, really.

3) If you feel like you can't miss ANY thing in SL, there is a problem. If you need to pee, say, "I'm going AFK for a minute...hang on." If you don't want to alert the media, then ask yourself, is it really a good time to go AFK? What do you do in RL when you have to step away? Do you have someone take notes? Makes no sense...you're being overly dramatic about this point.

4) I already answered this one in (2)--however, to clear up a point--either take notes or ask to speak in text...there is any option you know. Having voice isn't going to change the world.

5) Already been answered. Take notes, or use text. I take notes in RL when I talk to clients...why can't you do that in RL. I still save tons of time using voice, even when I take notes. We've been doing it for hundreds of years. If I need to remember something specific, usually I have a notecard open as I'm talking to a client...and I take 'minutes' as I talk to them...simple as that.

6) This has nothing to do with the discussion. This goes with a world of no-voice, OR a world with voice. It doesn't make a difference. Just tell them to wait, and get back with them when you have time.

7) Again, just because there is voice enabled, doesn't mean it's going to mess up scripts...scripters will have to work around change--thus is life. Change is good.

I mentioned foreign language as a reason people won't use voice. If you don't speak the language, use text. If someone doesn't want to work with your foreign text, they aren't worth talking to in the first place. Nothing can be done about language barriers...other than Babble Fish...and this reason should not make voice look bad. Also, usually (I've traveled the world) if you know a language well enough to write it, then you can talk it as well--if you are uncomfortable talking...use voice. No one is forcing anyone to talk.

9) I already agreed with this point in my original post. Role play. I understand this...most people that like RP though, are willing to work with each other. Enjoy each others company--go hang out and text RP together, you don't have to talk. And to REALLY be the devil's advocate, if you love RP so much, then use VOICE in your RP scheme. People do it ALL the time in RL--ever been to a Renaissance Festival? Have you ever played D&D with hardcore players? They don't type out their RP...they ACT it out. Now THAT's real RP. Don't think I'm being mean here, I'm stressing key words...not yelling. (I love you all)

10) Already talked about this. Most of the world had to take English as a language. If you don't feel comfortable using English, then use text. But in RL what do these people do when in an English speaking society? Text each other?

11) You purchased a computer, and I'm sure software....if you can't afford a $10 headset...or a cheap PC mic...there's a problem.

12) Wait for a Linux version of voice *shrugs*...voice shouldn't be put in SL because of Linux users? lol

13) Scripters are inherently clever folks. They can (and have to) work around change. Games are evolving...and so is code. They are forced to deal with this fact. And actually, most of them find it a challenge.

14) Ludicrous. These people aren't the ones you want to talk to anyway. Let them be. Tell me, what's the difference between these people you mention, and campers that sit around and do nothing NOW? Pshhhh.

15) It is not rushing. It's natural evolution of virtual worlds. It's called "inter-reality"--look it up.

I think I've made my points completely clear. I mean this post with all due respect. I'm just frustrated with people that can't see the obvious faults in their "no-voice" arguments.

I love you all.

/me is grateful that by not using voice, she will never have to listen to you or other smug know it alls pontificate, and belittle people who use SL in a different way than you. *Which seems to be just an extension of RL in your case*

I don't care that voice is coming, it should be made available. There are many uses for it in Sl. Just none that are of interest to me.