Putting metrics and altmetrics into perspective can help us separate secondary signals from primary signals, and may lead to a greater appreciation of alternatives to metrics, or alt2metrics.
In addition to what publishers do directly for authors and readers, they foster many collaborative and philanthropic efforts around the world.
While elaborate systems might help us disambiguate authors of scholarly articles, is there a simpler approach?
Information tailored to the user requires identity services that are useful and trusted. Will Google+ create a new baseline standard? Whither ORCID? Why can one succeed while one might be doomed? And what might the world look like for scientists when these opportunities are captured?