View Full Version : My Thoughts on TeamSpeak and it's Developers
Malachy29
14-03-2007, 13:15
TS has the potential to be a great voice client, but unfortunatly it's developers hold it back. I am a linux user, and this presents major problems for TS. First their client is only compatable with ancient OSS drivers which have not been used in an up to date linux system in YEARS. Next you have a server which if you have no intention of using any of it's advanced features works fine, but try and get MySQL support going and again the TS devs expect you to use an ancient MySQL 3.x server for it to work. The last thing is that the documentation for TS SUCKS! Heaven forbid there be an easy to find list/explination of the plethera of error codes that TS spits out.
Bottom line......it should NOT be up to your users to support, document, and figure out YOUR software. Get with the times and stop expecting your user base to do your work for you. Update your clients/servers to use CURRENT support software and drivers.
And before you dismiss me as another disgruntled user, I am the VP of a network that is approaching the need to pay for licensing of your products. Until you get with it and make the changes that I have mentioned here, it will be a cold day in hell before that ever happens.
TS has the potential to be a great voice client, but unfortunatly it's developers hold it back. I am a linux user, and this presents major problems for TS. First their client is only compatable with ancient OSS drivers which have not been used in an up to date linux system in YEARS.
The Linux client has not been updated in years for several reasons as well.
Next you have a server which if you have no intention of using any of it's advanced features works fine, but try and get MySQL support going and again the TS devs expect you to use an ancient MySQL 3.x server for it to work.
The TS devs don't expect you to use MySQL at all.
Although MySQL (3.x) support is available, in TeamSpeak 2 it is still highly experimental and not recommended for use in a production environment.
The last thing is that the documentation for TS SUCKS! Heaven forbid there be an easy to find list/explination of the plethera of error codes that TS spits out.
As far as I know, many of these errors appeared in the last years with newer linux kernels AFTER TeamSpeak 2 development has stopped. So who should update the documentation for a software which is not under active development?
Bottom line......it should NOT be up to your users to support, document, and figure out YOUR software. Get with the times and stop expecting your user base to do your work for you. Update your clients/servers to use CURRENT support software and drivers.
Do you think TeamSpeak 3 writes itself?
And before you dismiss me as another disgruntled user, I am the VP of a network that is approaching the need to pay for licensing of your products. Until you get with it and make the changes that I have mentioned here, it will be a cold day in hell before that ever happens.
Thank you for your feedback. Good bye.
Katana*GFR*
14-03-2007, 18:46
Ouch malachy, you just have been told by Bastian...
Apparently you did not even took a little time to look through the forums.
Im not that much of a linux expert, but my kernel is one of the newest and i run TS Server just fon without any hassles. First run was already a succes.
Really reading these forums would have saved you alot of typing making this topic..
Reedy Boy
14-03-2007, 20:01
Well...
About the MySQL thing
If you did a bit of looking around, you would find people (including myself) are running it with MySQL 5...
Just as a side point
Nice one Bastian :)
WolfStar76
14-03-2007, 20:10
I know I wouldn't go NEAR MySql without buying Reedy a 6-pack first. . . (and promising to deliver it AFTER)
:-D
If he did read the forum, he would see that almost all of the errors that people post are in the documentation. Just too lazy to read. Like the first person that posted in this thread.
Malachy29
14-03-2007, 23:25
The Linux client has not been updated in years for several reasons as well..
My point exactly, thanks.
The TS devs don't expect you to use MySQL at all..
"Seemless integration into your current MySQL environment" I do believe that is what is on the features page. Not quite true though is it.
As far as I know, many of these errors appeared in the last years with newer linux kernels AFTER TeamSpeak 2 development has stopped. So who should update the documentation for a software which is not under active development?
Hmmmm....maybe because it is still under active distribution, and in some cases being charged for? If the errors have been added to the client because of changes in newer kernels, one might think that someone at the buisness that makes the software would document what they mean for their users. If they are error codes that were coded into the client/server before the kernels were changed they should have been documented then.
Do you think TeamSpeak 3 writes itself?
I don't believe I ever implied that it does....but the fact is there have been updates to TS2 over it's life and none of these errors have ever been corrected.
Thank you for your feedback. Good bye.
Your Welcome. It only takes a quick look at these forums to see that many users have had these problems and the best thanks that could be given are to fix the problems and provide good documentation for your software.
And to those who suggest that the information on the forums is sufficient to just read and have TS2 and MySQL 5 up and running in no time.....it's not. I have done the reading and put in the work figuring it out to know. I have been using linux for years.....but it's really hard for newer users to get by when the only things they have to rely on are posts. stickied by moderators, with topics like "TeamSpeak 2.x with MySQL 5.x (Tutorial)" containing nothing coming close to a tutorial as their only source of documentation.
Reedy Boy
15-03-2007, 18:33
And to those who suggest that the information on the forums is sufficient to just read and have TS2 and MySQL 5 up and running in no time.....it's not. I have done the reading and put in the work figuring it out to know. I have been using linux for years.....but it's really hard for newer users to get by when the only things they have to rely on are posts. stickied by moderators, with topics like "TeamSpeak 2.x with MySQL 5.x (Tutorial)" containing nothing coming close to a tutorial as their only source of documentation.
Im generally windows bound myself, but there is 2 methods of MySQL on window that works. 1 is time limited, due to the library, and the other is using ODBC
I do agree that the threads probably need trimming down
And to those who suggest that the information on the forums is sufficient to just read and have TS2 and MySQL 5 up and running in no time.....it's not. I have done the reading and put in the work figuring it out to know. I have been using linux for years.....but it's really hard for newer users to get by when the only things they have to rely on are posts. stickied by moderators, with topics like "TeamSpeak 2.x with MySQL 5.x (Tutorial)" containing nothing coming close to a tutorial as their only source of documentation.
It's really hard? I gained my first experience in linux when I installed TeamSpeak2. With MySQL4 ;) In fact, it was pretty easy.
Later, I had to install it on another system using MySQL5, and that wasn't problem.
If a idiot like me managed to install it, it shouldn't be problem to others.
The fact is, it is what it is. If you don't like it, find another solution. Odd that TS's wide spread usage doesn't seem affected by such acclaimed horrid conditions.
Malachy29
16-03-2007, 16:13
Never said TS wasn't in wide spread use....I said it was a shame that the people that maintain the software don't do their jobs. 90% of the TS server out there are single servers that don't even attempt to use the advanced features of the server. None the less....it dosen't change the fact that the authors of the software expect their users to maintain their software for them.
They aparently want a community supported project as would be the case in open source, but at the same time they want to charge certain users and make a profit as well. You can't have it both ways.....either give the community what it needs so it can fix the problems with the software, or maintain it properly yourself. It's just that simple.
I don't believe they suggest they offer anything beyond what is currently available. People can sell whatever shoddy work they want and offer no support, if you don't want to accept that, it is your choice. There is nothing that requires them to offer more than what they do.
Don't state 90% usage stats you don't know are true. The fact is there are plenty of successful ATHP's with advanced features using what's available to them.
They aparently want a community supported project as would be the case in open source, but at the same time they want to charge certain users and make a profit as well. You can't have it both ways.....either give the community what it needs so it can fix the problems with the software, or maintain it properly yourself. It's just that simple.
To my understanding they only charge those that make money off hosting a TS server to others.
Pilot_51
24-03-2007, 02:03
They also charge businesses that use TS for teleconferencing.
ZeonSoldier
26-03-2007, 00:56
Is it my turn to piss in the cup?
You all make some valid points, and some meaningless points. The dev's charge money for the right reason... They also seem like the type to have, oh let's say... real lives outside of developing teamspeak.
* Although it would help to have more updates to the dev blog *
As you can see, information is a wonderful tool... Keeping the general public informed of your updates (no matter how minor) will keep threads like this from starting up.
Did I get it all in the cup?
Pilot_51
27-03-2007, 18:28
Heck I'd be happy with a dev blog update simply saying "we're still working on it". No updates just gives the feeling that they're slacking off even when they say in forums that they're working on it so hard that they don't have time for the dev blog. I mean come on, a blog is supposed to be flexible for however much time the person has, it doesn't need to be a novel of a blog post.
No updates just gives the feeling that they're slacking off...
Why can't they slack off?
nicod3mus
27-03-2007, 20:36
A codec is all I want......they have had years to do it but haven't. Anyone who thinks it takes years to dev up a codec pack is a brick short.
ZeonSoldier
28-03-2007, 00:19
Why can't they slack off?
Because I said so!!!
Naw.. but really... he is right, even if they are taking a break, a short little one-liner saying: "We are really busy, we'll get back to the project in a bit" or even "We're still alive and well" would be enough to hold us all over.
Not that I'm complaining, it is obvious that the devs are still around, but weekly updates to the dev blog, regardless of importance would be greatly appreciated.
<3 TS <3
A codec is all I want......they have had years to do it but haven't. Anyone who thinks it takes years to dev up a codec pack is a brick short.
Code one up, I am sure they will consider implementing your simple contribution.
Pilot_51
28-03-2007, 17:17
Why can't they slack off?Because if they were slacking off, that means they lied when they said in forums that they were really busy. I wouldn't have a big problem with it if they're honest about what they're up to.
What is wrong if they lied as well? Did they rip you off by doing so? Or do you just want another great free product?
ZeonSoldier
28-03-2007, 18:05
Because if they were slacking off, that means they lied when they said in forums that they were really busy. I wouldn't have a big problem with it if they're honest about what they're up to.
The only way they would be dishonest, is if they just told you 5 minutes ago that they were busy, and then posted on the blog saying they have been taking a break and will get started again next week.
Pilot_51
28-03-2007, 18:16
First of all everyone knows lying is bad, whether they admit it or not. I wouldn't want people I trust to be lying to me because that loses trust.
They said that the whole reason they haven't posted in the dev blog was because they were too busy working on TS3, so if they took a break then why don't we see a blog post yet? Posting in a blog isn't difficult or time consuming, especially if they're only telling us 2% of the details to avoid giving the competition an advantage.
Even still, you can't disagree with simple one line blog posts every week just to let everyone know if they're working on it or taking a break, literally anyone who can spell and use a computer online can do that no matter how busy they are.
ZeonSoldier
28-03-2007, 18:53
Are you a programmer Pilot? If so, then you might understand the point that if they are busy with TS3, it does not necessarily mean they are getting more accomplished. And their reasoning behind not posting on the dev blog may be because they literally don't have the mind power available to spend on a simple one-liner.
Either way, I seriously doubt sitting here on the forums debating why they should post more often, is actually going to get them to post more often. At the very most, I would expect a single update to the dev blog.
Take it easy on the devs already! I know when I'm working for weeks, being very very busy everyday, that is when I want a break the most. Lucky for them, they can take a small break if they want to. They are working as hard as they can and as much and fast as they can without having a mental breakdown. It's funny how people don't see how all this bitching is just going to make it so the devs will be less likely to keep up with the project after TS3. Yes, it would be nice to have dev updates, but if they could be fixing a bug in the time that it takes to post in the dev update, they could be that much closer to release. I would rather them do that then post on the dev blog.
Pilot_51
28-03-2007, 20:39
After some 5 years waiting and release estimates constantly being pushed and very few details being released, like many hoaxes I've known, just about everyones hopes are falling and many are switching away never to come back. Silence in the area of what progress is being made will only make it worse, as it's been all these years.
I've been running a server for about 6 years and I consider myself a loyal TS user, but I get the feeling that won't last much longer with TS2. I'm not a programmer but the way I understand it, very many other programs and games are made very complex with much fewer man hours than TS3 is supposedly taking. Does every single TS employee work on TS3 constantly? I doubt they are and I doubt they are always too tired when they aren't working to make a single line post. They are getting paid, I'm sure a lot more than they know what to do with, but I don't see that money going anywhere useful like hiring more employees.
I'm having a bad day so I might be a bit on the angry self-defensive side, so try to look through the rubbish at my logical points.
WolfStar76
28-03-2007, 22:07
They are getting paid, I'm sure a lot more than they know what to do with
I've always envisioned TeamSpeak devs making a moderate sum and doing it as much for the love as they do for the pay.
Maybe I'm uninformed.
I'm definately not "sure" how much they are or aren't making, however, as I haven't seen their paystubs - in fact, I've never even seen the profits the company makes. Have you?
HotRod-Lincoln
28-03-2007, 22:43
After some 5 years waiting and release estimates constantly being pushed and very few details being released, like many hoaxes I've known, just about everyones hopes are falling and many are switching away never to come back. Silence in the area of what progress is being made will only make it worse, as it's been all these years.
I've been running a server for about 6 years and I consider myself a loyal TS user, but I get the feeling that won't last much longer with TS2. I'm not a programmer but the way I understand it, very many other programs and games are made very complex with much fewer man hours than TS3 is supposedly taking. Does every single TS employee work on TS3 constantly? I doubt they are and I doubt they are always too tired when they aren't working to make a single line post. They are getting paid, I'm sure a lot more than they know what to do with, but I don't see that money going anywhere useful like hiring more employees.
I'm having a bad day so I might be a bit on the angry self-defensive side, so try to look through the rubbish at my logical points.
Im going to assume the Pilot_51 isnt a very creative person, whether im working on my car or working on my pc, its takes hours or days walkin around or lookin at a pc screen to come up with that next great idea or fix to a big problem. Besides, I dont remember paying a whole lot for the current best mass communication program on the net. ;) Basicly, you cant force perfection, dont like it, get over it. If it bothers you that much, make your own program with your own codecs, or be patient like the rest of us.
Posting in a blog isn't difficult or time consuming, especially if they're only telling us 2% of the details to avoid giving the competition an advantage.
You are very wrong with this statement. Not being allowed to say many things (the 98% you talk about) makes it much harder. Anyways, I have already said in the devblog thread, there will be an update in April, and yes this delay in devblog posts is longer than we would have liked it to be.
Thread Closed :P
vBulletin® v3.7.0, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.