Tinychat
Overview
Tinychat is a web-based platform that offers voice and video chat services through instant messaging. The platform allows users to create their own chat rooms or join existing ones. Tinychat is built on Adobe Flash for the video and audio chat, and uses JavaScript and HTML5 for the website interface.
History
Tinychat was launched in February 2009 by Daniel Blake and Michael Stern. The platform was initially a simple chat service that allowed users to create their own chat rooms. In its early stages, Tinychat was compared to Internet Relay Chat (IRC), but with a modern, web-based interface.
In November 2009, Tinychat introduced Tinychat.tv, a separate feature that allowed users to watch popular Tinychat rooms in a TV-like format. This feature was later integrated into the main Tinychat platform.
In 2010, Tinychat received $1.5 million in seed funding from a group of venture capitalists, including Naval Ravikant, Ron Conway, and Scott Banister. The funding was used to expand the platform and add new features.
Features
Tinychat offers a variety of features that cater to different user needs. These include:
- Chat Rooms: Users can create their own chat rooms or join existing ones. Each chat room can accommodate up to 12 video feeds and thousands of viewers.
- Instant Messaging: In addition to voice and video chat, Tinychat also offers text-based instant messaging.
- Screen Sharing: Users can share their screen with others in the chat room. This feature is particularly useful for presentations and collaborative work.
- Virtual Gifts: Users can purchase and send virtual gifts to others. These gifts can be used to show appreciation or to stand out in a chat room.
- Moderation Tools: Chat room creators have access to a variety of moderation tools. They can ban or mute users, control who can broadcast video, and more.
Technology
Tinychat is built on a combination of technologies. The video and audio chat is powered by Adobe Flash, while the website interface uses JavaScript and HTML5. Tinychat also uses Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) for streaming video and audio.
Reception
Tinychat has received mixed reviews from users and critics. Some users praise the platform for its simplicity and ease of use, while others criticize it for its lack of advanced features and occasional technical issues. Despite these criticisms, Tinychat has managed to maintain a steady user base and continues to be a popular choice for online chat.