Methods are disclosed for gathering information from different sources to
be used to automatically fill in online forms. The information is
collected using a persona of an individual. A persona is created by
filtering a larger set of raw data for that user so that only certain
fields are allowed to be seen and used by others. An individual can have
several personas, each assigned to a particular other individual, such as
a family member or a friend. The individual allowing one of his personas
to be shared is the information provider and the user requesting the
information is the information requester. The information is taken from
both the provider and requester, and used by a vendor in a form, filled
out by the information requester. In one embodiment, the information
requester is a "gift giver" and the provider is a "gift receiver." The
gift giver is requesting shipping and other information from the gift
receiver, who can grant one of his personas to the particular gift giver.
The information, along with billing information from the gift giver, is
used to fill out a vendor online form.