Email as Unique Identifier

Something very positive that I have noted online when you are signing up to a service is that the use of email addresses as identifier is becoming very popular. This makes sense, most of us have more than one email address but there is always a “main” email address, one we use most frequently or give others. Email addresses are also by definition unique making it much more attractive, whereas the chances of someone having the same username as you is fairly large. It is also easier to recall when signing into a service. If usernames are asked, I am forced to remember what username I chose but I definitely know my email address.

Also interesting to note is that both Google and Yahoo! are thinking about using your mail service (and subsequently your email address) as social network, something that makes sense to me.