[Ekiga-list] Handling of old-fashioned phone numbers

[Alec Leamas <leamas alec gmail com>]

Basically, I think this should not reside in a frontend like 
ekiga-callto, which is more like a prototype. There are some good 
reasons to integrate into the core application:

- To make this functionality available also on Windows it's propably 
much better to have it in Ekiga. A dependency on gtk-python is actually 
not that nice in this environment (as opposed to Linux, where it's 
readily available from repos).
- Integrating it into Ekiga should make it possible to use the same 
logic for numbers stored in PIM databases (e. g., Evolution)  which 
typically lacks countrycode. ( see 
http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/API::GmContact::PhoneNumbers)
- Configuration becomes easier when the list of available accounts is 
could be accessed.
- The many steps and windows used by frontend + Ekiga is, taken 
together, not a really nice UI. To integrate it into current UI should 
give a much better user experience.

The ability to handle the everyday numbers we have around us is actually 
crucial for everyday use. This is an area where Skype shines. So should 
also Ekiga!

The najor drawback as I see it is to introduce still more configuration, 
based on the idea that numbers should be expanded in a country-based 
context. On the other hand default values could be provided which should 
be fine for almost all users. And the idea that numbers are local to a 
country is intuitive and should not pose a problem for users.

And, of course, there is work. But having a prototype is a start. I see 
most of the difficulties in modifying the UI. Actually, I havn't any 
real ideas about this...