At its most basic, Digitalme is an interface to a public directory-specifically, Novell Directory Services. It provides a Web graphical front end through which individuals can enter, modify, and append personal data in the directory-and control who accesses it. The interface lets users exchange personal information as "cards" that contain customized views of their personalized data. Cards can be used as views to personal information for access to online services and to facilitate E-commerce transactions, including public-key certificates. The directory gives users a secure "drop box" to receive third-party data, which provides a vehicle for assured delivery in connection with online applications such as electronic bill presentment.

Novell protects all the information in the public directory through encryption. Because users can customize views, a person can show different versions of a "digital identity" to different companies or individuals, and conceal other personal information. Because the directory is persistent and public, Web sites won't have to store personal information-the user retains control over that information and is able to update it, or remove it, at will. Information is accessible to others only if they have a valid public key.