TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak is a nifty little voice-chat application. The software is free, takes up very little hard drive space and uses a minimum amount of resources, especially compared to other voice chat applications on the market today. The voice clarity is ideal for casual chat. Galaxy Net Radio uses it as a place to chat among staff members.

Our TeamSpeak server can accommodate a maximum of 50 users at one time. This TeamSpeak server is reserved for Galaxy Net Radio staff members & Listeners only.

As I said, TeamSpeak has a great vocal engine and can deliver sharp and crisp vocals, but you need to cooperate with it a little. Below, I'll spell out how to get the most of TeamSpeak and offer up some polite protocols we all follow whlie there.

BUT FIRST ...

1. Click here to download the TeamSpeak client. Download the *.zip file into a new folder on your PC's desktop.

2. Install TeamSpeak on your computer.
NOTE: If you use AVG as your antivirus program, AVG *may* give a warning error that this file may be a trojan. Ignore this message. It's an AVG thing. This file is safe.

Entering for the First Time Okay. Now you've installed the TeamSpeak client on your computer. You're ready to log in and join us. Piece of cake. Open TeamSpeak. At the top, click Connection, then choose Connect. A new window (Connect To Server) will open. In the left panel of this window, single-right-click a blank spot, then choose Add Server. #1 Copy & paste from the text box below, or TYPE EXACTLY: Galaxy Net Radio   #2 Copy & paste from the text box below, or TYPE EXACTLY: 209.9.238.182:8769 #3 Type the nickname you want to use here. #4 Click "Anonymous" (NOT "Registered")   #5 Ignore step five. Do not type in a password. Proceed to step 6.           #6 Click "Connect" to join us on TeamSpeak.

Optimizing TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak offers a variety of codecs to optimize your voice quality when you speak here. I have no idea why they offer so many. In fact, it would just be much easier on us all if they offered only the better one. I imagine the others are there for people with older systems, weaker connections and weaker sound cards. Most of us don't have to worry about these things. Still, each time that you log in to my TeamSpeak server, you need to do the following. It takes a minute the first time and gets faster each time you do it. Eventually, you'll find it takes only two or three seconds. It's worth it !!!

1. For optimum voice quality, click "Settings" at the top of TeamSpeak

2. Next, "Sound Input/Output Setings".

#1 on the image at the left. On the dropdown box for the Test Codec, choose "Speex 25.9 Kbit" (at the bottom of the list provided). If this is your first time, using our TeamSpeak, follow the steps below. If you have already done all your setup, you will need to perform this step each time you open TeamSpeak to join us. #2 This slider sets the volumes of the others in TeamSpeak compared to your volume. The volume of your voice in your headset will not change in TeamSpeak. Sometimes, however, the voices of those in TeamSpeak with you may be significantly louder, or not as loud as yours. Moving this slider bar to the left or right will help you to adjust all the speakers' volumes in your headset. A little to the right and the others become louder. A little to the left and the others become lower in volume. #3 This is "Voice Activation". Please do NOT check here. Ever. Please. We're begging you. #4 "Push to talk" is best for all users. This method allows you to "mic up" only when you want to. Here, you can choose any key on your keyboard that you wish to activate your voice when you want to speak. By default, your PC's left Ctrl button is set. If you wish to change your mic's "hot key", click the "Set" button in this area, then push the key you wish to activate. Then click "Close" at the bottom. Please read the important tip, below.
TIP --> Referring to #1 (above) only, it's a good idea to get into the practice of performing this step each time you open TeamSpeak. Personally, I reset the Codec after I have opened TeamSpeak, and before logging onto the server. By default, TeamSpeak reverts back to the lowest Codec on the list each time you close it. The other settings will remain in effect and it will not be necessary for you to change them again (with the possible, occasional exception of #2). Okay, only one more area to pay attention to for your initial setup. In TeamSpeak, please click "Settings" and then choose "Options". Refer to the chart below.
	On the Sound Devices tab at the top, you want to mirror the settings displayed at the left. Under "Sound Driver", please choose "Direct Sound". More on this soon. In the "Compatability" section, do not put a checkmark in the box. "Direct Sound Buffer Size" - please click and drag the slider all the way to the right. Now look at the bottom section, "Device", where "Input Device:" and "Output Device:" are listed. We all see the "Primary..." listings in the first position. In nearly all cases, your PC's unique sound card should be listed beneath that. Please highlight your unique sound card. The Sound Notifications tab allows you the option of hearing the automated sound messages inherent to TeamSpeak or to not hear them. The other tabs should be left unchanged. The default settings should be used. Now click "Ok" to save your changes. Please read the important tip below.
TIP --> It is rare, but for some people, the "Direct Sound" setting does not work. If this is the case for you, then choose "Wave" instead, which *should* display only your unique sound card only. This should be used only in the event the "Direct Sound" setting does not work for you.

Our TeamSpeak Politeness Policy

When to -- and when NOT to -- mic up: It can be a horrible listening experience when some people mic up while someone is currently speaking. Some configurations clash loudly with others. Some do not. You just never really know. So ... if someone else is speaking, please let them finish what they have to say before you mic up.

"Flaming": If you want to flame people, just log out before you are kicked out or banned. Our TeamSpeak is all about a nice relaxing place to sit, chat and have fun. Respect is key here. If you can't respect the regulars here, please leave voluntarily or you will be removed permanently. NO DRAMA

Recording: One of TeamSpeak's features is the ability to record conversations. Generally, this was built in more for corporate usage, allowing large corporate occasions to be recorded for, we're assuming, records of meetings.

When you set TeamSpeak to record, a visible "tag" is displayed beside your name, showing that you are recording the converstaion. We have had a history of unsuccessful results when members record conversations without warning. The result is almost always negative and we have witnessed a variety of responses to this activity. In most cases, others in the room simply stop talking so as not to be recorded without their permission. In far too many cases, people log off, threatening never to come back again for the reason just mentioned. So ...

Recording conversations in public rooms is strictly forbidden on our TeamSpeak server. If we see someone recording, we will ask them to stop recording immediately. We will explain to them that this is unacceptable here. If they fail to obey this policy, they will be removed from the server. We feel this is a very important policy. The last thing we want is for our guests to sense the slightest discomfort. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, where -- under the right conditions -- recording IS permitted.

Exceptions to the Recording policy: We encourage our friends to use TeamSpeak to their benefit. While we try to discourage recording in public rooms, we waive the policy in private rooms. Meaning, if your unique group enters into a private channel for any reason, and ALL channel inhabitants agree to someone recording the conversation, this is acceptable. The key here is that ALL members in the room agree to a recording being made. or you are asked not to record.

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Now let's have some fun.