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#1 2006-05-22 6:32 pm

b_dubb
loch whatchamacallit
From: chapel hill, nc
Registered: 2002-11-19
Posts: 510
Website

Skype hyperlink - how to

I use Skype for all of my long distance and added voicemail so I could use my Skype phone number for business.  Its a lot less than a land line.  I was wondering if it was possible to insert a hyperlink into a web page to link to Skype ... and it is. 

<a href="skype:skypeusernamehere?call">TEXT</a>

You have to include a JavaScript in your page to get the link to work. 

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://download.skype.com/share/skypebuttons/js/skypeCheck.js"></script>

The behaviour: when you click on the link it looks for Skype on the local users machine and (if Skype is installed) initiates a Skype to Skype call. 

From a usability/design point of view, I'd be interested in getting everyone's opinion as to whether including such a link is a good idea or not. 

Thanks in advance for any/all opinions

b_dubb


"The Fates lead he who will; he who won't, they drag." - Seneca

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#2 2006-05-22 7:40 pm

Miles
Now I fight for wisdom!
Administrator
From: Michigan
Registered: 2001-07-21
Posts: 4506
Website

Re: Skype hyperlink - how to

You don't need to include the JavaScript to make the link work.  In fact, from a usability standpoint, I'd recommend against it.

If you want the skypeCheck.js to do anything, you need to add

Code:

 onclick="return skypeCheck();"

to the <a> element.  For some reason their button wizard doesn't do that, but they mention it here.

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#3 2006-05-23 1:55 pm

b_dubb
loch whatchamacallit
From: chapel hill, nc
Registered: 2002-11-19
Posts: 510
Website

Re: Skype hyperlink - how to

Miles wrote:

If you want the skypeCheck.js to do anything, you need to add

Code:

 onclick="return skypeCheck();"

to the <a> element.  For some reason their button wizard doesn't do that, but they mention it here.

thanks for the tip.  that was the functionality that i thought was missing.  it seemed like if you were going to incorporate a 'Skype link' in a page then you have to plan for the user who clicks on the link and doesn't have Skype installed.  this seems to fix that.  a pop-up window appears with instructions to initiate a Skype download and install the software on the user's machine.  cool.


b


"The Fates lead he who will; he who won't, they drag." - Seneca

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