Mumble Server!

Alright, things are set up enough that I can go ahead and introduce everyone to the Gamer's Plane Mumble server. It's still a work in progress, so if you see anything that needs attention or have an idea that you'd think should be implemented, please let me know here or yell at me when I'm logged in on Mumble.

First things first: you may be asking "But Irvan, what's Mumble?" Mumble is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) program that lets one speak with his or her friends online whilst doing other things, such as playing a video game or running a conference of some kind. It's very simple to use, and (thus far, anyways) the Server is pretty easy on the resources.

"Well, how do I use this newfangled contraption?" Simple. Download the Mumble client for whatever OS you happen to be running, whether it's Windows, Linux, or MacOS, and follow the instructions to install it. From there, go to Server > Connect, and it will bring up a Server List. In the bottom right corner, you'll see an Add button. Click on "Add", and when it brings up the "Add Server" dialog box, simply place "Gamer's Plane" in the Label box, and "mumble.gamersplane.com" (thanks, Keleth, for setting up that URL!) in the Address box. Don't change the port, add your username, and click OK. That's it! Click "Connect" and you're in!

Like I said at the beginning, it's a work in progress, so please bear with me on any issues. If anything happens and I have to take it down for a moment or two to fix it, I'll be sure to let everyone know before it happens.

A really big thanks to irvanovich for setting this up, unprompted mind you. This would be great if groups wanted to discuss chars, maybe do some live gaining in relation to the ongoing game, play other games together, etc. As brought up in the other thread, maybe "classes" or discussions on how to PbP?

I can set up that channel easily enough when I get home...and if you want to register as a user on the server, Keleth, I'll get you set up with Admin privileges, so that if you see a channel that needs adding, you can throw it in there.

It's still kinda barebones at the moment...once I get everything set up, it'll be beautiful. I think. Maybe?

Hey Irvan I'm not familiar with mumble, so forgive my ignorance, but I did a quick skim through the site and saw you have to pay for server space. If that's the case there is a program called discord, it does pretty much all you said without having to download anything, there is an option to though, and it's free to create a server and you can get as many rooms as you'd like. You already have the server made though so just an option.

Hey HypCo...you have to pay for the server space if you go through mumble to set up your server. I have a VPS server that I haven't used very much with my current hosting plan, so I threw the mumble server software (free on Ubuntu ^_^) on there and called it a day. I'm already paying for the VPS, I may as well use it, right? :)

Discord is alright, and it's what I use on the rare occasion that I get to play games online with my IRL friends...but you have to set up any private servers through them, instead of downloading the software and installing it on your own. Plus, with the Mumble server, we can eventually get it set up to where if you already have a GP account, you'll be able to use the same credentials to log in to the Mumble server...that's a long term goal at this point, because my server isn't too happy with some of the protocols required (operator error, I'm sure...), but it's still an option that we might get to try one day.

Thanks for the input and feedback. It's always appreciated. :D

I actually looked into Discord after it was brought up in a different thread, but one thing I saw (and don't know if you can get around this): you have to request people into your group. For example, I setup a group for GamersPlane, but as far as I can see, there was no way for me to put up a link or something for anyone to join up, and it's too much work for me to invite every person who signs up to GP but wants to join in voice. If there was some way for me to manage who could join the Discord server (even if it meant hosting on GPs box), I'd be more than glad to set that up.

I am TOTALLY going to use the heck out of this next week. maybe have some conversations and shoot the breeze with some of you people I'm in so many games with.

not sure about the roleplaying via the server, though. most of us are doing PBP because we don't have time for much else

Eh, the roleplaying via the server thing could be a little tricky. There's no video chat, and you'd have to log in to some form of dice logger to make it really work well. It's entirely possible, but could be tricky all at the same time.

Channel ideas, though: It's been mentioned in another thread about setting up a "training channel" of sorts to help introduce new PbP players to GP and its features. Any other requested channels at this point?

wouldn't we be relying on people to just hang out in the channels until someone needs help? or we use the forums to schedule real time gametalk?

Yup, you're on from now until Midnight Saturday night... drink coffee.

Let's turn it into a regular talk show...we'll play music occasionally, to make sure you get a break now and then ;)

Maybe have a regularly scheduled training session (once a month?) that people could be aware of and join in (to learn or to teach).

With the occasional "New Game" training session to teach people new games every now and again...I kinda like this idea.

I think it might be better to have a thread where people sign up for lessons and then the guy who teaches the system (I guess some of us here would be willing to be official *insert system here* teacher) schedules a time that works best for everyone and does it over mumble...

If it's game-specific, then definitely do it as-needed. But I was thinking more in the direction of general Gamers-Plane teaching. I'm paying close attention to the Getting New People Involved thread, which is influencing my thoughts here on how to use Mumble.

(I recognize my prev post was rather vague)

Thanks, irvanovich. That's pretty kind of you to shell out your own time and money to set up this server.

I don't know if I personally would be on this server, as my time commitments either don't see me in front of a computer, or aren't conducive to an audio format. However, I appreciate its availability and will likely create an account for the random chance I actually have the opportunity to participate.

@Irvan No problem it was just a suggestion
@Keleth ill message you some links that might help as to not derail this thread.

Having been with a group who had an active online membership and wanted to build up a voice community, it's a long, slow process. It involves the dedicated who happen to be on Mumble, even if silent and no one else is on, having random conversations having nothing to do with the community itself, and building up events. GPs still small, voice chat will largely be unused, but it'll happen in time.

As for gaming through Mumble, I really just meant that there may be groups who find they want to do a short side mission over half an hour with voice, or to catch up a player who's absent. I don't mean to make it a "thing", just that it opens up the option.

I can see myself logging in some nights for a couple of hours in the late evening in case anyone gets on. oh! there's also a mumble android app so you can use mumble over your phone...

I've been logging on every night, by my lonesome, to test out things as I go. I don't see that changing any time soon.

And not to undermine irvanovich's great work, but HypCo taught me a bit about Discord, and how can I setup and open invite link for it. So based on how much work you want to do, or if you want to try, we can see how either/both work for us for now? I think long term, Mumble integration into the GP database will be the way to go.

Time for a Mumble party?

I think so, too...and I'm going to be messing it with it no matter what you decide, Keleth. I want to make it work, and it'll be a good little side project for me to entertain myself with.

One of the biggest problems I've seen with Discord, whether you use the webapp or the installable UI, is that it uses a LOT of bandwidth and resources...at least it does on my machine. I can't run Discord at all when my wife or kids are watching Netflix on the XBOne or WiiU, let alone run it while I'm playing a game and they're streaming a movie. If Discord isn't running, I can play whatever game I want for as long as I want, and never once interfere or force a buffer on their shows. Mumble, on the other hand, has (so far, anyway), been less resource intensive, allowing me to chat and play Overwatch while the kids watch Netflix or Hulu without a single buffer moment or broken audio because of a bad connection.

That's just been my experience with it, though. Discord looks prettier, but Mumble sounds and runs better. I have no problem running either way...I just might not be on Discord much when the wife and kids are home and awake ;).

I definitely agree, Mumble is the better long term option. Right now, I setup a Gamers Plane channel on one of Discord's servers. Costs me nothing, I have to do no work, etc. And if I do setup something on GP's server, I'll rent out a cheap $5 box for it, and just run that on it.

Screw it, I'll set up and get on mumble tonight at 10PST

Sounds good to me. I'll search for the Discord channel later tonight, but keep the Mumble channel running strong. People can use whichever one they fancy, and everything will be golden :D
Woohoo! I can finally put a voice with the Amazing Captain Magnificent.

I will end up checking both out and then picking one. I don't think we should split the community; we'll test both, offer both, see which people prefer for now, and stick with it until we create the GP linked Mumble.

Much better idea...sounds good to me.

I can definitely get on board with this. I run plenty of irl games on a variety of systems so I can probably be one of the mumble teachers no problem. And I can easily see myself spending plenty of time hanging out, especially this summer.

wow, this mumble server sure is empty!

It was busy around 9p EST. :-p

I just realized I have no microphone.

Time to buy one. :P

We should arrange like a discussion, call it something cool like "GP Roundtable" or something equally impressive. Give it a time and date one night. I would just on to discuss gaming, life, Keleth's sweet booty, or whatever.

So it's been a few weeks and the server seems to have died down. As DMKiado suggest should we set up a schedule so people know when other would be on to jump on and chat?

I am totally down for that, there would have to be some times for after 10pm PST

I'll calling dibs on 2000-2200 EST 'Tell me bout your Game or PC Tuesday" to start it off for me. Jump on and let us know about a game or PC you enjoy writing about on the site. If your game is public people might start watching their adventures.

When I'm home early from fencing, I should be able to catch the later end of that! I gotta make more an effort to be on the Mumble server, heh.

Fencing? Gee, someone has some refined hobbies... :P

Having gone through fencing myself, it's more of a brutal experiment in discovering which sensitive parts of your body will hurt the most.

My arm and chest are in a perpetual state of bruised right now. Specially because I'm focusing epee.

This is a brilliant idea, and I'll be jumping on to join the discussion.

You think we should get started on "tutorials" some time this week?

I hate to say it will likely be somewhat quiet since it's just two hours but setting other times up to talk about other topics during the week and which guides to get started on first wouldn't hurt.

Maybe we can update this thread or something with a list of times people would be on to 'host' a discussion point. Possibly a monthly/or every two weeks Newbie AMA time slot and & one shot encounter signup for a system demo to get started on how to use the site and what not would be nice too.

Eh, quiet or not, it'll still get the ball rolling on getting use out of the server.

I'll set up a channel specifically for your Game/PC talk when I get home tonight. Keleth, you think we could post something about scheduled talks on the Facebook page, when we get them lined up?

Of course. I'll put up a post about this one once I get to work.

BTW, something I feel I should mention. If you don't have a mic, then there's no problem. There's a text chat side to the server as well. You'll still be able to hear what everyone else is saying, so you won't miss out on the conversation at all.

I've got a few ideas for some scheduled talks and such, but I'm kinda afraid to get them going right now. Work is a little crazy, and I'm basically waiting for the OT hammer to hit.

Tentatively, I'd like to get a "GP Roundtable" talk started this weekend. I'm thinking about starting up a "Basic Training" talk next week, maybe a "WAN Party" set up sometime for all of the people who, like me, enjoy a game or two on the PC once in a while.

Okay, I checked out the client. There's an issue with the SSL certificate. Should I be creating my own, or is that done on the server side?

I guess it might be a good idea to start a Mumble Server Install Guide... I forgot we talked about that in Mumble chat.

@CancerMan: I just clicked ignore on mine, you shouldn't have to have it. That's an issue on the server side, saying that my certificate is out of date for some reason. I'll get that taken care of pretty quick.

@Remnant: I'll try and get one of those put together tonight or tomorrow. Might take me a minute

Suggested by irvanovich, I think we should setup a newbie night on Mumble, for people to meet, talk, ask questions, we can have little discussions on how to get started or what not. By holding a few of these, we can figure out a good structure to have them on a regular basis. Thoughts?

Sounds good, maybe run through an encounter for a system as well so they know how to join a game, roll dice, and see how systems work.

Not a bad idea at all.

I think that's a great idea. Personally I may not have the time to participate, but if I have free time whenever it's scheduled, I'd be happy to join in via chat.

so has any progress been made on this? wednesdays seem like a good day for me since I have more free time and I'm on pacific time

I was wondering if this is still a thing.

It still exists. Not much progress has been made, due to real world interfering with a vengeance, but the Mumble server is still up and running.