A system is provided for facilitating computerized transactions. The
system comprises an optically encoded personal information carrier. The
carrier comprising a card readable in a CD-ROM drive. The card comprises
optically encoded personal information related to a user, the personal
information including an account number for one of a credit card and a
debit card. A processing device comprises a CD-ROM drive for reading the
optically encoded card, and a processor which may including browsing
tools for allowing a user to view and select actions to be taken or items
for purchase and transaction tools for allowing a user complete a
selected transaction. Alternatively, the personal information carrier may
include an optically encoded version of the browsing tools and the
transaction tools.