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Will We All Soon Have 'Handles' Online?
PC World/Computerworld ^ | 12-4-2011 | Matt Hamblen

Posted on 12/04/2011 3:21:05 PM PST by Dysart

Forget phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The era of the Internet handle is emerging.

Instead of having to remember a phone number or an e-mail address, in a few short years we might simply find somebody remotely over the Internet via his or her handle, another word for an Internet nickname.

It would be similar to the way handles are used in instant messaging or Skype, except that the handle would apply to all modes of getting in touch, including a phone number or e-mail address (or several of each). In my case, my Skype handle, "MattaboyBoston," could become the way you would reach me.

"People will no longer seek each other's phone numbers or email address[es] when establishing personal or working relationships," wrote Gartner analyst Adib Ghubril in a report on mobile predictions for 2012 and beyond. "Instead, they will ask each other, 'What's your handle?' "

Ghubril said that handles will have a huge advantage. They could remain unchanged for a long time, if not for life.

However, to use the handle format, everyone will need a personal Web page that can be reached via a person's Internet handle. In that Web page, the user would store personal phone numbers and e-mail addresses, all kept up to date by the user. All of those phone numbers and addresses would be unseen by outsiders who would have the user's handle stored in their own contacts directory, Ghubril said.

For businesses, a contact manager application could be designed for a workplace or organization. These apps would manage a directory of Internet handles that would read Web-based or cloud -based information about the one being contacted. It would also provide rules for communications (such as not calling at certain times).

(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: handle; id
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1 posted on 12/04/2011 3:21:05 PM PST by Dysart
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To: Dysart

I have seen “nick” more than “handle.”

The term “handle” is from the old CB days... 3’s & 8’s good buddies.


2 posted on 12/04/2011 3:31:43 PM PST by freedumb2003 (Spoiler Alert! The secret to Terra Nova: THEY ARE ALL DEAD!!!)
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To: freedumb2003

10-4


3 posted on 12/04/2011 3:35:45 PM PST by Dysart
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To: Dysart

This seems less like a handle and more like a hook.


4 posted on 12/04/2011 3:39:23 PM PST by null and void (This is day 1048 of America's ObamaVacation from reality.)
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To: Dysart

I have nothing else to say so do you have a 10-36 for me good buddy?


5 posted on 12/04/2011 3:42:47 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: Dysart

“I’m a little teapot...here is my handle!”


6 posted on 12/04/2011 3:44:20 PM PST by bannie ("The gov't that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.")
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To: EGPWS
It's time for a musical interlude! East Bound and Down
7 posted on 12/04/2011 3:47:35 PM PST by Dysart
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To: Dysart

Rubber Duck, it looks like we got ourselves a convoy...


8 posted on 12/04/2011 3:49:49 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Tijeras_Slim
Convoy Theme Song
9 posted on 12/04/2011 3:52:26 PM PST by Dysart
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To: Dysart

This thread is doomed


10 posted on 12/04/2011 3:53:06 PM PST by Chuckster (The longer I live the less I care about what you think.)
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To: Chuckster

Makes me think of the “13 codes”....


11 posted on 12/04/2011 4:16:31 PM PST by M1903A1 ("We shed all that is good and virtuous for that which is shoddy and sleazy... and call it progress")
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To: Dysart

Yeah, I want to reserve Buck Ofama as my online alter ego.


12 posted on 12/04/2011 4:27:01 PM PST by MIchaelTArchangel (Obama means crooked.)
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To: Dysart
They could remain unchanged for a long time, if not for life.

Not if I keep changing it so I don't have to put up with spammers.

13 posted on 12/04/2011 4:30:13 PM PST by bgill (The Obama administration is staging a coup. Wake up, America, before it's too late.)
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To: Dysart

I just have to remember when to use Larry Lucido and when to use “Italian Stallion.”


14 posted on 12/04/2011 4:32:51 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Dysart

It’s a far better idea to have fake ID’s and randomized identities, because it hinders efforts to track what you do and say on the Internet. And there are LOTS of people trying to do just that, and NONE of them are doing it for YOUR benefit. And some of them are downright nasty.

Fake Name and Address Generator

http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/

Email that is good for 10 minutes, but can be renewed if you are waiting for them to send you a verification.

http://10minutemail.com/10MinuteMail/index.html

Randomized passwords from PC Tools, from 8 to 64 characters long.

http://www.pctools.com/guides/password/


15 posted on 12/04/2011 4:46:08 PM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: Dysart

I doubt this will work: there would be too many names with numbers and no one likes that (and they aren’t easy to remember). You won’t be able to have two people with the same name, otherwise, how could you find anyone? I mean, how many Buck Naked’s do you think there will?


16 posted on 12/04/2011 4:50:28 PM PST by jeffc (Prayer. It's freedom of speech.)
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To: jeffc

Hi, this is JohnSmith197766824380910462


17 posted on 12/04/2011 5:05:27 PM PST by umgud
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To: umgud

Equality 7-2521


18 posted on 12/04/2011 5:43:19 PM PST by 6SJ7 (Meh.)
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Comment #19 Removed by Moderator

To: Dysart

Welcome to the internet circa 1995....

You NEVER ever Use Your real name online!


20 posted on 12/04/2011 10:26:52 PM PST by GraceG
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