Spring RTS Engine

As I understand there is a TS2 server that does this kinda thing, but I don't think I've ever seen more than 20 people on it.

Also many people view TS2 as "sucking"

Since Spring is an open-source RTS engine and not some old RTS that was made before VOIP existed, I think it is silly to use an external program.

Since alot of modern RTSes are implementing this, alot of gamers may expect this feature and may be disappointed (this problem will worsen over time).

Maybe taking a look at implementing Mumble (http://mumble.sourceforge.net) is a good idea, it works on Windows and Linux, which is what Spring supports.

Maybe I should of waited until after the next Spring release includes Spring Downloader, which forces TS2 down peoples necks.

Mumble is hard to use/control, thats why its TS2.
Engine devs opposed integrating voice directly to engine itself, it would be another source of possible crashes and add need for extra settings/controls which you have in external program now.

+1 to not integrating this. Most players don't have anything worth saying anyway. The first voice stuff in Counterstrike was basically 15yo kids screaming garbage every 5 seconds. Totally ruined the immersion.

The current system lets those who like voice comms use them. It could be easier to use perhaps but that's a TS issue.

Curious, can widgets be used to interface with external programs?

Yes, for example through local file.

My idea is to have a widget communicate with the Teamspeak client, but I'm not sure where to get information on interfacing with Teamspeak.

Widget cannot communicate with teamspeak.
In fact there is no way to communicate with teamspeak client.

Only thing it does is for windows user to handle teamspeak:// url
(can connect to certain server when user clicks teamspeak:// url)

Current system where teamspeak auto puts you to correct teams is implemented by controlling teamspeak server from downloader system central server.

TeamSpeak is closed source, so cannot be hacked to implement it in widgets.
but another opensource software like ekiga could be used without problems

True true, licho and Tizbac, though there have been successful attempts at creating ingame Teamspeak UI/HUD for other [albeit, more popular] games.