Programming .NET 3.5

Creating a CardSpace Identity

One of the best ways to understand Windows CardSpace is to walk through a use-case scenario as a CardSpace user. In this scenario, you will create a self-issued card and see what it means to use this card on a web site. Along the way, you'll take a look at some of the key issues surrounding the very meaning of identity.

What You Need for Our CardSpace Examples

If you already have version 3.5 of the .NET Framework installed, or if you are running Windows Vista, you are good to go.

Otherwise, you'll need to download and install the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/. This will also install Windows CardSpace.

Once that's done, open the Windows Control Panel and confirm that there is an icon for Windows CardSpace. You should see something like Figure 14-3. (If you are in Classic View, the icon will be the same but the view will be a little different.)

Figure 14-3. CardSpace successfully installed

CardSpace on Board, Ready to Create My Identity

If you don't already have one, to begin you'll need to create a CardSpace information card. Double-click on "Windows CardSpace" in the Windows Control Panel to launch CardSpace.

You will notice a task list running down the righthand side of the CardSpace control panel. Click on the "Add a card" link, and you should be presented with a window similar to the one shown in Figure 14-4.

Figure 14-4. Adding ...