It allows interactive voice conversations around the world. GatherTalk does even more than a phone. It's algorithm does not require any intermediate chat servers.
All connections are direct.
This shortens the transmission and processing delays, and also allows the most valuable feature, private conferencing. Because you are making a call over the Internet, its quality will vary depending on the speed of your modem and Internet traffic. As you type, the characters are sent instantly to the other user. As they type, you see their input right away too. You can have up to eight other people join in your conversation in this mode.