Paltalk

Infobox_Software
name = Paltalk
license = Proprietary

caption = The GDS Sidebar sits on the user's desktop and displays relevant information.
developer = AVM Software
latest_release_version =9.4 build 253
latest_release_date = May 17, 2008
latest_preview_version = 9.5 build 257
latest_preview_date
August 15, 2008
operating_system = Microsoft Windows
website = [http://www.paltalk.com/ www.paltalk.com]

Paltalk is an internet chat service for text, voice and video chatting. The Paltalk Messenger program is in a free, banner-supported format. It has an ad-free version that requires users to subscribe. Paltalk is only available to users of Microsoft Windows. The program now identifies itself as PaltalkScene, a change that was made in September 2007. [ [http://www.paltalk.com/en/news/docs/Sept%20GA_Paltalk%20Show%20Release%209%2010%2007%20_FINAL%20FINAL.doc Paltalk Introduces PaltalkScene] ]

The company itself is a privately held New York based company founded in 1998. It is run by President and COO, Joel Smernoff. Paltalk claims 4 million users worldwide, [ [http://mediabiz.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/07/16/instant-messaging-on-steroids/ Instant messaging on steroids] ] making it the largest voice and video chat community on the World Wide Web. [ [http://mondoweiss.observer.com/2007/latenet-ray-ellin LateNET with Ray Ellin] ] It also owns and operates HearMe, a video and voice-enabled web conferencing service that allows users to conduct group meetings. [ [http://www.tmcnet.com/bizwatch/news/122001d.htm Paltalk Acquires Certain Assets Of HearMe] ] . Paltalk became popular after Firetalk, an earlier voice/music chat program, became unable to maintain operation due to a lack of adequate funding.

Functions

The service provides access to several thousand video-enabled chat rooms in which users can interact one-on-one or with large groups of people simultaneously. Additionally, Paltalk doubles as a conventional instant messaging service, allowing users to interact via Yahoo!, ICQ, and AIM/AOL messengers with a single buddy list.

Paltalk users can find and meet each other via "Paltalk People", a social networking site. The site allows users to create and post their own personalized profile displaying photos and listing hobbies, interests etc. Users can then browse or search the database for keywords and view any profile that matches their query.

Categorized chat rooms are also offered, with the most popular being finance, religion, distance learning, politics, culture and music chat rooms where people play and/or sing songs. The chat rooms have a queue system which allows users to "raise their hand" and wait in line for their turn. Users have the ability to create and moderate their own chat rooms, however Paltalk employs more than 650 trained administratorsFact|date=September 2007 to ensure that discussions are appropriate and do not violate Paltalk terms of service.

Paltalk only will operate on a System above Windows 2000. However, people who run Windows 95 through Windows Me can still download the supported Paltalk 8.5 Build 149. A Mac OS version is planned. Fact|date=April 2008

Paltalk was once criticized for allegedly installing the MySearch toolbar from MyWay without the users knowledge [ [http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/paltalk.com paltalk.com | Web Safety Ratings from McAfee SiteAdvisor ] ] , however these claims were unfounded. The installation occurred due to users not unticking the toolbar inside the advanced section when installing. MySearch toolbar was usually installed unbeknownst to the user due to this. PalTalk now offers Google toolbar, as well as Google Desktop, both of which can be deselected by the user before installation.

The preview release of paltalk has new features includingPC to Phone callsCall anywhere in the world right from PaltalkScene. Display current Chat RoomOpt in to show your friends which room you are currently hanging out in — right on their Pal list Custom status MsgsYou can now create a custom status msg in any mode (away, dnd, online)
Emoticons & Smileys — emoticons featuring animals and pets
…plus a new look to make it easier to add friends and find groups.

ervice 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.
# 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 purchace purple nicknames. [https://commerce.paltalk.com/mpt/mptsson.jsp?src=Subs&mptpage=vipc] If one is already subscribed at the PaltalkScene Plus (with the purchace of the purple nick, becomes Extreme), or Extreme levels, their already subscribed service is overrun by VIP status.
# Gold Nicks: Rooms with 1000+ members

hows

Paltalk produces a number of original programs for its PaltalkScene platform including News Talk Online, Hollywood Now with Joanne Colan, LateNet with Ray Ellin, and MusicScene. 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, Hank Azaria and casts of popular television shows and movies. Paltalk’s original programs are considered by many as examples of socialcasting. Diana Falzone is the spokesperson.

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 othersFact|date=September 2007.

As well as coverage by mainstream media, the service is used by the Opie & Anthony and Ron & Fez radio shows on XM Satellite Radio. The shows have cameras set up in the studio and often talk about it on the show. [ [http://www.paltalk.com/en/news/pdfs/Paltalk9%200_RR.pdf IM on Steroids With Audio And Video] ] The company has also received publicity for hosting live chats with numerous celebrities and politicians including Reverend Jesse Jackson, Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky hosted by The People Speak Radio Show, Dan Burstein, and family therapist Kim West a.k.a. “the Sleep Lady”.

uicide

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.

The coroner called for the banning of "insult chatrooms". An insult chatroom is a chatroom where participants exchange insults with others within the room. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/6993095.stm Chatroom warning after web death] ]

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

Paltalk Express

Infobox_Software
name = Paltalk Express
developer = AVM Software
latest_release_version =3.0.721 revision r2327
latest_release_date = August 8, 2008
website = [http://www.paltalkexpress.com/ www.paltalk.com/express]
The company has now released an online browser based version of PaltalkScene called Paltalk Express.The client uses flash player to run. It has limited features compared to PaltalkScene.
* Paltalk Express is currently BETA.

ee also

* Instant messaging
* Comparison of instant messaging clients

References