Microformats and email contacts integration

Introduction

Microformats are a way to embed semantic information to (x)html. I posted a link to an introduction before. hCard is one such format for embedding contact information.

The Problem with Email

Most email programs are getting clever in how they automatically add email addresses sent and received to your address book. The issue is it's only an email address, you have to manually add phone numbers and office location separately.

Embedding Microformats in Email

It strikes me a solution is rather simple. I use signature at the end all of my emails. The signature itself matches the layout and look of my business card.

Cengal	My Name My Title
Docklands Innovation Park 128-130 East Wall Road Dublin 3 Dublin Leinster Ireland www.cengal.com	pref cell Mobile:+353.87.000.0000 work Tel:+353.1.000.0000 Skype: my.name my.name@cengal.com

The real trick is the embedding of the hCard Microformat. To demonstrate clicking this link will parse this page and create vCard for importation into your address book.

Conclusion

If this technique became mainstream our email clients could get smarter and add complete contact details to our address book - no more manual typing of addresses and phone numbers.