[db-wg] IM contact

Hi Peter, 

> On Mon, Aug 13, 2007 at 10:31:10AM +0100, Niall O'Reilly wrote:
> 
> > 	existing 'role' object.  Use of a different word to 
> describe this
> > 	hint in the URI field would perhaps make things clearer, thus:
> > 
> > 	  URI: <purpose (or whatever)> <URI> [optional] [multiple]
> 
> hmm, why not go with a generic "attribute:" field then and stick all
> semantics in a free form optional label?

Well, I think the semantics are clear for this: Make one field type to put
contact information in, without having to make a different field type for
every type of communication.

You still have the 'how to contact someone' semantics, without fixing it to
one type of communication. The alternative (if we want different types of
contact information) is to add a "sip:" field, an "icq:" field, a "jabber:"
field, a "skype:" field, etc.

I personally would prefer a single field with a flexible uri than all these
different types. As long as the semantics of the field remain 'how to
contact someone' ofcourse.

- Sander