All inclusive digital personal history Being a member of an advanced nation has its advantages as well as its drawbacks. One such drawback is the volumes of paper required in order to get things done. A simple matter of proving who we are can often be a logistic nightmare. Fortunately, new technology offers simple solutions that just might turn this aspect of society into a sweet dream. Digital Economy © PhotoDisc Simplicity is all too often the sacrifice made in modern institutions that require identification. Proof of birth, proof of marriage status, proof of citizenship, proof of religion, proof of employment, proof of residency and so on. For an age where information is vital, it seems that it's nowhere more important than proof of existence. "I think therefore I am" simply won't do, Descartes, not unless you have the papers to prove it. Fortunately, from under the mountain of paperwork - not to mention the avalanche in administrative costs emerges a solution that should streamline and simply the entire lot. From medical records to criminal past, from driving licenses to financial well-being, place of birth to colour of eyes, an all-inclusive electronic solution could be in the making. Currently, the solution remains with a concept called the e-ID. The e-ID card is not an unfamiliar one, based on the same principle as credit cards or club membership cards that provide similar services. It is intended that the e-ID will be as comprehensive, both in the data it contains, as well as its it's wide spread use. Such usage, it is forecast, will vastly reduce both the hassle and the costs involved in generating so much paperwork that is standard procedure for most bureaucracies today. Intended to be more than just an info-card, the e-ID contains personal data supported by an extensive infrastructure of technology know-how. It will be suitable for a number of transactions with clients-including bank transactions and purchases. Currently tested in Finland and Belgium, it is envisaged that upon its success it'll be made compatible within a broader pan-European arena and ultimately contribute towards an ever-increasing ease of use and a lot less frustration in reducing the need for having to gather piles or paper.
