From cave paintings to the telephone, using technology (no matter how primitive or advanced) has helped the human race convey their ideas. While costly cell phones and lengthy e-mails have flooded the country, the need for inexpensive voice communication still remains at an all-time high. Thankfully, there's a solution to chatting en masse without emptying your bank account and placing a burden on family and friends. Without further ado, I give you Ventrilo (frequently misspelled as ventrillo).



Ventrilo is a proprietary Voiceover IP server that is mostly seen in the world of online gaming. It's a tool that has become more valuable than firearms and flak jackets in "Battlefield 2" and spells and swords in "World of Warcraft." You see, Ventrilo links players together like a more entertaining version of an online teleconference as they strategize, taunt, and prattle while enjoying their favorite games. What most people may not understand, though, is that Ventrilo isn't just for the geek culture - It can also be a powerful device for their family, friends and profession.

Let's say that you need to plan your wedding, but your bridesmaids and groomsmen are scattered across the country. Before you have a meltdown, consider Ventrilo. Simply log on with your scattered wedding party and discuss colors and music until dawn without overwhelming fees and annoying static and drops. Now your big day will be worry free, and you can put the cash you saved toward a fancy honeymoon.

Maybe you're away at school and you've been assigned to a team project. Since communication is the key to success in any project, might I suggest Ventrilo for bringing your squad of scholars together when schedules won't allow you to cohabit the same space. Once the project's done, use Ventrilo to contact your folks and let them know that your crafty use of technology landed you an "A."

You can also use a Ventrilo server for your business, allowing for brilliant conferences without the need for pesky long-distance charges. While business may be boring, saving money for the stuffy CEO is always a plus and can make you look good for that next big promotion. Maybe you're not a huge corporation, but instead, a small business teetering between failure and success. Making the switch to Ventrilo could help tip the scales, landing you in the black.

So, whether you're looking to frag your friends or babble with your brood, remember the number one choice in voiceover communication: Ventrilo. Once you decide upon ventrilo, then a big part of your decision process will be how and where to host it. From years of experience, let me suggest to you the three most critical things to look for:

1. Obviously cost;

2. Quality of the bandwidth providers (directly impacts your voice quality);

3. Ease of setup with a painless, online interface;

4. Very rapid support (while many offer 24/7 support, it may take a long time for someone to actually help you).

I believe that if you follow the guidelines above and select ventrilo, your gaming experience will reach all new levels.