Add Skype to contact info

[kamnet]

Since MSN Messenger is no longer supported and Microsoft has encouraged users to move over to Skype, I think it would make sense to add a Skype contact info field to user profiles.

Perhaps, also, inclusion of other social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, maybe also other messaging platforms such as KiK and WhatsApp. I'd also suggest Google+ but no idea how much longer that's going to last.

[Chrill]

In essense, Skype is a new iteration of MSN. While renaming it would make sense, you could just as well use that field for Skype contact information.

[orudge]

I have no particular desire to add a million and one different sites, but Skype could be a possibility. Will look into it at some point.

[Chrill]

We do have Skype, though. I can see orudge's Skype and I can see my own. In profile information.

[kamnet]

All I've ever seen is MSNM/WLM, YIM, AIM, ICQ and Jabber.

And, really, how many here still actively use MSN (instead of Skype), AIM, ICQ or Jabber? According to this 2013 report, Skype, MSN & Yahoo IM made up 78% of installs, with AIM, ICQ and Jabber clients falling be listed individually due to low installation. This makes the contact list look horribly outdated.

[jvassie]

All I've ever seen is MSNM/WLM, YIM, AIM, ICQ and Jabber.

And, really, how many here still actively use MSN (instead of Skype), AIM, ICQ or Jabber? According to this 2013 report, Skype, MSN & Yahoo IM made up 78% of installs, with AIM, ICQ and Jabber clients falling be listed individually due to low installation. This makes the contact list look horribly outdated.

That is unfortunately part of the inherent problem with forum software such as SMF and phpBB, whilst in their prime they were very featured advanced, they are now less well maintained it seems, the only updates tend to be bug and security fixes. There are newer platforms out there which offer a considerably more social driven approach to forum software, but a lot of them need a subscription or a large one-off payment.

[orudge]

Skype appears in the right hand column rather than the left hand column on the profile page, as it's a custom field.

phpBB 3.1 is under active development and the first release candidate was recently released; hopefully we will see the final version over the coming month or two. I'll need to test out some upgrades at some point. Despite just being a minor version number increment, it does contain a lot of significant improvements as I understand it.

[kamnet]

Oh, I see the Skype field now. Would be nice if it was a clickable link.

[GunChleoc]

Yep, phpBB has recently reached its first RC for the new version. It has fields for Skype, Facebook, Twitter + Google+ if I remember correctly from what I've translated