Paltalk (Wikipedia)

Developed by AVM Software; Latest release: 9.4 build 253 / May 17, 2008; OS: Microsoft Windows; License: Proprietary; Website: www.paltalk.com

Paltalk is an internet chat service for text, voice and video chatting. The Paltalk Messenger program is in a free, banner-supported format. It has an ad-free version that requires users to subscribe. Paltalk is only available to users of Microsoft Windows. The program now identifies itself as PaltalkScene?, a change that was made in September 2007.

The company itself is a privately held New York based company founded in 1998. It is run by President and COO, Joel Smernoff. Paltalk claims 4 million users worldwide, making it the largest voice and video chat community on the World Wide Web. It also owns and operates HearMe?, a video and voice-enabled web conferencing service that allows users to conduct group meetings. Paltalk became popular after Firetalk, an earlier voice/music chat program, became unable to maintain operation due to a lack of adequate funding.