User Profiles?

[WolfStar76]

This is probably taking TS3 in a direction that isn't really planned, but this morning it occurred to me that it might be nice to include the option for a TS Server Operator to include or exclude the ability to store entire profiles of their users.

I'm thinking it would be nice if we had the option to add more info to our records as registered users, Names, Quotes, Perhaps a profile image, that sort of thing.

This information could be displayed either in the right-hand panel of the TS client when a user is clicked on, or could be displayed in a pop-up window, selected via an option from a right-click menu.

I know that I have friends of friends that are now using my server, and it would be nice to know a little more about them than simply what they sound like, and what games they play.

[crazyandy]

I like the sound of your idea but where would that info be stored and if you start to put images on teamspeak then you are going to starty to use a lot of bandwidth. Can you imagen it on the big public servers.
But apart from the images then it would be nice to have some more details about users on my teamspeak server. Maybe a option to display your e-mail address.

The other thing is that teamspeak3 is well underconstruction and if they are going to add this feature then it will probly have to be an addon.

[Bastian]

I don't see any traffic problems as long as the server does not send the image but only the URL where the image can be found. This would be something like an "remote avatar" as used in many forums and it would work the same way like the hosterbanners in TeamSpeak 2.

But IMHO, this is a feature which doesn't really fit into an ingame communication software which is designed to run in the background. Why would you want to have a profile in TeamSpeak? Almost every instant messenger offers this feature and if you are a clan, you most likely have a website with your members profiles. TeamSpeak is neither an instant messenger nor a dating platform.

[WolfStar76]

I see it as a feature primarily for public servers, where, much like a public forum, users might want to know a little more about who they're chatting/gaming with.

Much like a forum, TeamSpeak is a communications platform that can bring strangers together and turn strangers into friends. Having a quick, easy way to share info on a server with others via a profile seems like a natural extension.

Example: I join a server, I start gaming with "PlayerX" and decide he's an alright sort. He signs off after a bit, and I decide that since we dominated in a CTF game together so well, it'd be nice to setup some more matches with him.

I lookup his profile get his e-mail or IM contact info and and I'm able to setup future matches with him, instead of waiting on just another "chance" meeting.

The other way I can see this being utilized would be to give contact info on the Admins running a server. Yes, this contact info can be displayed in the MOTD, but I think we all know that most people don't read those anyhow.

Similar to how someone could lookup the profile for "PlayerX" above, they could also lookup contact info for the server admin(s). That way if they need to contact an admin about some griefer on the TS server while no SA's are about, they can get the info, IM someone, and (hopefully) get someone to login, deal with the griefer, and get back to gaming hassle-free.

Lastly, in the case of smaller, private servers, like my own. TeamSpeak has frequently become a place for friends (and friends of friends) to hang out and chat even when they're not gaming (or when we're all playing different games). It would be nice to have the option to get a quick profile of my "friends of friends" that connect to the server, who I may not know. Especially when I'm just on the server chit-chatting while websurfing and a new person signs on.

Admittedly, this is a service covered in many other areas (IM services and forums are great examples) - but it's BECAUSE it's become so commonplace that I think it would be a useful addition to TeamSpeak.

Is it critical? No.

Does it have the potential to help enchance the TeamSpeak experience? I think so.

[WolfStar76]

Another thought comes to mind.

Perhaps instead of hosting profiles on the server (which would allow for viewing Registered users online or offline) the profile could be stored in the Client software.

This would limit profile viewing to people who are online at any given time, but it could offload the "traffic" concerns mentioned before.

Server Operators could, perhaps, then "cache" the information for the users who connect to them based on their own needs/wants and storage space (keep records for 30 days, 90 days, eternally, not at all, etc).