[IxDA Discuss] My desktop is invading the web

[Paul Menard]

On Jul 2, 2007, at 11:08 AM, Matt Theakston wrote:

> This morning i noticed that skype (which is running on my desktop)
> is reformatting all of the listed telephone numbers i come across
> online (for example under ixda members on gmail, bank contact pages  
> etc) to
> a link which automatically calls the number from skype, with a little
> "call" icon.
>
> I don't particularly mind this, but do the websites whos users  
> experience is
> (ever so slightly) changed? Will we see more of this, our desktop apps
> interpreting our web pages, in the way browsers do? Does a downloaded
> desktop application (skype) feel it can pull rank over my web  
> applications
> (gmail)? Who'se in control here!
>
> Matt

Matt, This is from when Skype installs it's own Browser Toolbar.  
Check this http://www.skype.com/download/skypewebtoolbar/
You didn't mention what browser but the above link only works for  
Firefox. You can disable this. Basically when the page loads some  
script XUL/JS/Whatever script runs to scan the content for phone  
numbers.

I personally did not install this toolbar. I find the reformatting of  
the links on the page disruptive and sometimes break design.

P-