If you read the articles, they're really just talking about storing the dynamic IP address (DHCP) assignment records, showing when each customer was handed a particular IP to use, and when they stopped using it. So perhaps 1-2 records per week per customer, or less -- I still have the same "dynamic" IP from my cablemodem provider as when I first signed up a year ago. To oversimplify, it's the difference between asking a hotel to put a camera in every room versus just keeping a register of who has received a key and whether they've checked out yet. And this law lets the wireless carriers keep running their no-tell motel operation.

Wow, three achievements and I haven't even posted yet. Had I waited another week to register my account, I would have lost the opportunity for a 5-digit UID.

I am ambivalent about seeing this hang around beyond April fools. If it doesn't add a lot of server or database overhead, I suppose it can do little harm.

I created a Facebook account solely because somebody with the same name as I already had one, and people were assuming his profile was mine. So by creating a minimal profile on that social networking site, I took better control over my identity.

Linkedin has definite professional benefits, allows you to maintain limited contact with former co-workers, people who you might later find working in the same city as you've just moved to, or the firm where you are thinking of applying for a job.

If you refuse to voluntarily publish positive information about yourself, what will potential employers find? If nothing at all, they may tend to assume the worst, or at least assume you have no notable skills, hobbies, friends or publications.