Ventrilo - 3.0.4

The default server and client codec for the Windows version of Ventrilo is GSM 6.10. However, Ventrilo has seen fit not to include this codec in their Mac installation. Therefore, anyone on a Mac is automatically denied access to 90% or more of the servers being used out there. Asking everyone to change their codecs usually results in a "but the currently one has always worked for us, go change your computer" argument.

If this software is meant for Mac users, then it's main purpose seems to be to slap us in the face and tell us that we are second class citizens. It exists mainly to give Mac users a big loud raspberry and a "nyah nyah nyah, you can't use this". There is no reason not to have the Windows version default to the same codec that Macs can use. Most people in the Windows world DON'T CARE so long as they can hear their buddies. However, they also don't care or don't know how to change their servers to use the Speex codec. Result? This software is unusable by Mac users.

I would not recommend this software to anyone using Macs, or to anyone who has friends who use Macs, or to anyone who knows anyone who has friends who use Macs.

The authors of this software could fix this one of two ways, other than to make the Speex codec the default on all platforms. (1) include the GSM codec in the Mac installation. They use a pkg install anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem. (2) have the servers not give a damn what codec the clients are using, and do on-the-fly conversion from one codec to another depending on which codec is being used by which client. This is harder and it possibly makes servers a resource hog, but it does provide more flexibility.

The way they have done it, to make GSM the default then not provide GSM for Macs, is insulting, irritating, downright infuriating, and makes this product a solid 1/5 stars for me.

I don't know why anyone would want to use GSM anyway. Speex sounds vastly superior. It takes about 10 seconds to switch a vent server over. and I've never heard of a single PC user having problems with the codec, even though about 95% of the people using the server are on Windows.

This release is more of the same useless garbage we had with the prototypes. No GSM = Useless. If it is at all possible Use teamspeex. I know its also speex codec, but thats what most teamspeak servers use anyway. I am fortunate my guild does not use this but uses teampeak. However this is typical of companies like AOL and MixMan who release a half hearted product then sit back scratching their heads wondering why mac users dont flock to their door. If you read their forums they excuse the lack of gsm in many ways and tell mac users to talk their guild leaders in to switching. Why don't they just stop offering GSM to windows users and see what the response is. Thanks vent, you've set my loyalty to TeamSpeak in stone.

Our Guild tried to switch to Speex codec but too many PC Users are having problems with it so they switched back to GSM.
Unless GSM gets implemented this is pretty useless unless you are a Mac only Community