XRI

I-names are one form of an XRI (see below) and represent a unique name for a person or an organization. I-names are related to unique I-numbers (i.e. the equivalent of IP addresses for humans).

The advantage of i-name is that a user can control what kind of information what kind of service or agent can access. e.g. one may give or not give permission to tranlate an i-name into an email-address. XDI (retrieved 21:35, 23 February 2010 (UTC)) explains the advantage of I-Names in the following way: “Conventional addresses such as postal addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are tied to a specific location, device, or service. By contrast, i-names are abstract—they are not tied to any specific location or device. Instead they are a way to ask permission to contact an individual or organization—and for the i-name owner to control to whom this permission is granted. [...] An i-name is simply unspammable — you can’t send it email, call it, or send it a fax directly unless the owner has given you permission.”.