Someone should create a secure and trustworthy online archive to which we can upload official documents (e.g. academic transcripts, GRE score reports, etc.). That way, instead of having to send out dozens of original certified documents to all the people/institutions that demand them, we could simply organize to have one original sent to the official database certifiers, who would scan it and put it on the net with their trusted seal of approval, so that I'd merely need to pass along the URL to everyone else. They could even offer password-protection for privacy purposes.
Why does this service not exist? It needn't be centralized, even. Each document-granting institution could simply be responsible for its own online certifications. Why don't universities make their official transcripts freely available online (again, password-protected if necessary)? It wouldn't be that hard, surely, and it'd be so much more convenient. If they're worried about losing money, I'd pay just as much (or more!) for this service. After all, who in their right mind would use snail mail now that instant access is possible?
(Is security the problem? But surely if internet banking is possible, then these sites could be made hack-proof too...?)
Friday, November 10, 2006
Documentation Wants to be Free
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I think we need a government sponsored list of "certified trustworthy people" that will be large enough to have somthing like the most trustworthy 20% of people on it (as judged by their actions). for starters you could add a list of people like JP's and so forth and others could undergo some sort of investigation. (they might also put up a bond?)
the point is that theoretically I should be able to get a job like "guard a store's stuff" or "house sit" without requiring a security check or interview etc. Or I should be able to give someone a document and they KNOW it is the real one without bme having to get it signed. But I cant because everyone has to ASSUME you are the untrustworthy person who would send them face documents or steal their stuff.
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