On October 5 Novell launched 'digitalme', its new identity management service that brings the concept of 'single-sign-on', among other things, to the Internet.

According to a Novell Press Release, "Digitalme leverages powerful Novell Directory Services (NDS) technology to make life easier on the Internet for consumers and empower them to take control of how their personal information is shared, used, and maintained on the Net. The digitalme technology is targeted at e-businesses, including portals, ASPs/ISPs and retail companies that want to enable their customers to control their identities on the Web and enjoy conveniences such as single-click buying.”

digitalme has already been adopted by America Online, which renamed it ‘instantme’ (see pg 5 of this issue). The growing list of digitalme alliances and partners includes ClickMarks, EZ Login, Facetime Communications, Just On, Knowledge Navigators, Privaseek, Verisign and White Pine.

According to a recent survey sponsored by Novell, the average online user has to remember between three and four passwords to access their favorite Web sites, and more than 20 percent of users have three or more e-mail accounts. Eighty-four percent of people are concerned about how the personal information they provide to Web sites is used, and five out of six are reluctant to use a Web site that requires personal information. Digitalme uses NDS to store consumers' personal information such as passwords, user names, account numbers, bookmarks and preferences in a secure, private directory.

Anyone can log in to www.digitalme.com, a free service from Novell that enables consumers to take advantage of features such as single-click sign-on to the Net, auto-form-fill-in, and a personal Web address book. www.digitalme.com is divided into three areas: meCards, Contacts, and Web Center. New users begin by filling in a Master Profile form that is the basis for building meCards. meCards contain a wide range of information that users might choose to share with friends, associates and e-businesses, from the basics like name and address to their many Web passwords, favorite color, shoe size and preferred airline. Since each individual controls what information is shared, he or she will always know when, how and by whom their personal information is
being used.

With personal information stored in a secure, private directory, digitalme provides automatic sign-on to Web sites and eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords. As soon as a digitalme user elects to register with a new site, a personal proxy system intercepts the necessary registration forms, automatically fills them in, and provides a completed form for review. The next time the user accesses the Web site, digitalme automatically handles the sign-on process.

The 'Contact' area of digitalme.com will house a dynamic address book. When user information changes, they simply update the address book just once and the change will be reflected throughout all their personal contacts. Digitalme users can access all of their information - including personal preferences and contact information - at any time and from any location, regardless of which PC they use. Users do not need to be on Novell networks, or even understand what NDS is - they can use the technology completely transparently for free.

Only time will tell how widespread adoption of this Novell technology will become, or what competition it will face, but Novell obviously believes that it will become the next household name through its free digitalme service. You've got nothing to lose - so try it!