Gamertell

With the E3 2008 announcements and Playstation network upgrades, Sony has chosen this week to allow its users to link their Playstation Underground IDs and their Playstation network IDs. Calling it a Portable ID, going through the process generates an image with your avatar in it as well as some code around it that links to your ID page.

Here’ a screen of the email Sony sent to registered users enticing them to link their Playstation IDs:

Here are the benefits that Sony lists for linking your IDs:

• Identify yourself on the Web using your Playstation Network portable ID
• Display your portable ID on social networking sites
• Meet other Playstation Network members
• See who’s who on the Playstation message boards
• Keep tabs on your Playstation Network friends on the Web with the Friend List

You need to be a registered Underground user to do this, but here are step-by-step instructions.

1. First either:
   
   1. Use the link in your fancy schmancy email from Sony,
   2. Go to http://www.us.playstation.com/Registration/PSNL or
   3. Go to the Playstaion home page and click on the LINK YOUR IDS TODAY button at the top of the site.

2. Either
   
   1. Sign into your Playstation Underground account or
   2. If you have not created one, you can do that here, too.

3. You will be directed to a page with three choices:
   
   1. I have a Playstation ID and want to link it,
   2. I need an ID
   3. Continue without linking IDs ("but you’ll miss out on all the cool features")

4. Click on the first link (A above) and you’ll be asked to sign into your Playstation Network ID. Sign in with your email address and password.

5. If you didn’t get an error or forget your password, then yippee yahoo, you linked your IDs and you get a fancy message that tells you so.

There’s a link on that page to “Portable ID” (also the big blue bar goes there as well) that takes you to a page with a box where you copy generated code. I’ve pasted my code here so you can see my generated avatar (to the right).

(UPDATE 07/19/2008:) One slightly annoying point is that, if you generated a Portable ID box and then update your Playstation Network ID (your avatar and slogan) through your PS3, you need to log in and press the ‘UPDATE PORTABLE ID” link on the page that has your Portable ID code. Since Sony is hosting the image, you do not need to repaste the code. After you press that link, the Portable ID image will be re-generated and will appear as updated where ever you placed your code (as you can see on this page if you compare the screen shot above to my edited Portable ID to the right).

Of course, Sony wants you to paste your Portable ID code in your email, forums and other social networking stuff since it not only gets your ID out there but also helps promote Sony and the PS3.

There’s also a section on that page that tell you how to edit your new Portable ID Here it is straight from Sony’s site:

Your Online ID is your Playstation Network name that you pick when you sign up. Once your Online ID is set, you can’t change it, so choose wisely. The Avatar can be changed anytime from your Playstation 3 console:

• Go to the “Playstation Network” icon in the XMB (XrossMediaBar)
• Select “Sign-In” if not already signed in
• Select “Account Management” under the Playstation Network menu
• Select “Account Management” in the account management menu
• Select “Edit Online Profile”
• Select a new Avatar or “Use Current”
• Enter a new “About Me” message—up to 21 characters

Your About Me is a snippet where you can tell other players a bit about yourself, your favorite game or what you like to do. Your “About Me” message can be changed on your Playstation 3 console:

• Go to the “Playstation Network” icon in the XMB (XrossMediaBar)
• Select “Sign-In” if not already signed in
• Select “Account Management” under the Playstation Network menu
• Select “Account Management” in the account management menu
• Select “Edit Online Profile”
• Select a new Avatar or “Use Current”
• Enter a new “About Me” message—up to 21 characters

Read [PS3Fanboy] Site [Sony Playstation]

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