TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak

TeamSpeak 3 client running on OS X Yosemite
Original author(s) TeamSpeak Systems GmbH
Initial release October 2001 (2001-10)
Stable release 3.0.18.2 (Client) / 3.0.12.3 (Server) / October 23, 2015 (2015-10-23) (Client) / March 4, 2016 (2016-03-04) (Server)
Operating system Microsoft Windows, Linux, OS X, iOS, FreeBSD(Server Only), Android
Type VoIP Software
License Proprietary, freeware
Website www.teamspeak.com

TeamSpeak is proprietary voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) software that allows computer users to speak on a chat channel with fellow computer users, much like a telephone conference call. A TeamSpeak user will often wear a headset with a microphone. Users use the TeamSpeak client software to connect to a TeamSpeak server of their choice, from there they can join chat channels.

The target audience for TeamSpeak is gamers, who can use the software to communicate with other players on the same team of a multiplayer game. Communicating by voice gives a competitive advantage by allowing players to keep their hands on the controls.[1]

Server

The TeamSpeak server currently runs on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and FreeBSD and uses a web based UI or command line to control server administration and settings. The server runs as a dedicated server separate from the client. TeamSpeak clients are available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android. TeamSpeak will begin to support IPv6 in an upcoming beta version, scheduled to be released in 2015.[2]

The TeamSpeak 3 server can be used at no cost for up to 32 slots (simultaneous users). For non-commercial use, non-profit licenses are available that allow to use the server with up to 512 slots (users) at a time. With the use of 512 slots server admins can choose to split up the slots into multiple virtual server instances (up to 2).[3]

TeamSpeak 2 supports virtual server instancing. This allows up to 75 server instances to be contained in one process on the server. Additional server processes can be run to increase this further.[4]

Port 9987 is the default UDP port for TeamSpeak 3.[5]

TeamSpeak 3

The current version of TeamSpeak[6] has been in development since 2004. It is a complete rewrite with many new features, but has had infrequent updates on the development blog, and was first estimated to be released in mid-2006. The first public release of the TeamSpeak 3 SDK[7] was on June 5, 2008, with the integrated solution in the MMO game Vendetta Online.[8] Open beta for TeamSpeak 3 released on December 9, 2009.[9] Open beta was closed on August 10, 2011 and replaced with Teamspeak 3.0.0 Final, which is the first stable release of Teamspeak 3.[10]

TeamSpeak 3 introduced the use of unique ids, housed in the program as identities, that are randomly generated at the time of a client's initial setup. An identity contains a nickname (which can be changed at any time), the Unique ID and an identity name (which is not visible to other users on the server). The unique id is used by the server to grant permissions to the user. Unique IDs replaced the need for a user to register with the server to keep their user group, be it a channel group or a server group.

Permissions System

When TeamSpeak 3 was first introduced to the general public in Open Beta the server administrators were met with a major change in how they granted administrative powers to their users, in the way of a permissions system based on boolean and integer. The new permissions system allows server administrators to have more control over how their users use the server.

The permissions system has two types of integer-based permissions: Power and Needed Power. The Power is the power level in numbers that the group/user has for that permission. The Needed Power is the power level in numbers needed by the group/user to use that specific permission. If the Power level is lower than the Needed Power level then the permission cannot be used. If the Power level is equal to or higher than the Needed Power level then the group/user will be able to use it.

TeamSpeak 3 also has a 5-tier hierarchy within its permissions system: Server Group, Client Permissions, Channel Permissions, Channel Groups and Channel Client Permissions. The five are used to override another type, also known as inheriting. This allows for highly complex permissions for users, giving users more powers and uses in TeamSpeak without giving away complete control to the users of the server.

With the release of later versions the TeamSpeak developers created easier ways to set up permissions in the way of a "Standard Permissions Display" by default in the client. This placed the original permissions system display behind the "Standard" one calling it "Advanced Permissions Display". This allowed beginners more ease of use when setting up a TeamSpeak 3 server. Some still prefer the Advanced system because it allows more control over which permissions get changed, whereas the Standard changes many permissions at the same time.

TeamSpeak3 updates

TeamSpeak 3 uses an improved update system that updates only the files necessary, resulting in faster updates without the need to redownload the entire program.

In popular culture

TeamSpeak was mentioned numerous times within South Park's episode titled "Make Love, Not Warcraft" which aired October 4, 2006 on Comedy Central.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bary, Hiawatha (October 29, 2003). "Game On; Players Add Verbal Jabs To Online Arsenal". The Boston Globe.
  2. ↑ "Setting Up a TeamSpeak Server". Go Teamspeak.
  3. ↑ "Licensing". http://sales.teamspeakusa.com/licensing.php. Teamspeak. External link in |website= (help)
  4. ↑ Running Multiple TeamSpeak 2 Instances
  5. ↑ "Which ports does the TeamSpeak 3 server use?". TeamSpeak 3 Technical Support.
  6. ↑ "TeamSpeak 3". TeamSpeak Systems GmbH. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  7. ↑ "Guild Software and TeamSpeak announce the Integration of TeamSpeak 3 within Vendetta Online" (Press release). Florence Espinoza. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  8. ↑ "Now featuring.. Voice Chat!". Guild Software. 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  9. ↑ News. TeamSpeak. Retrieved on 2014-05-22.
  10. ↑ TeamSpeak 3 Final + iOS + Android Released. Forum.teamspeak.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-22.
  11. ↑ News. TeamSpeak (2006-10-11). Retrieved on 2014-05-22.

External links

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