Abstract: A collectable electronic multimedia trading card (10) and a hand-held portable card reader (12) for storing and communicating an information set of information relating to a single specific person, place, or thing. In a preferred embodiment, the card (10) is no more than between approximately 3.00 inches and 3.25 inches in length, no more than between approximately 2.30 and 2.70 inches in width, and no more than between approximately 0.01 inch and 0.1 inches in thickness. The information is presented using a variety of media elements, such as, for example, video, audio, still, and text elements. The information includes hyperlinks to additional network-accessible external sources of information. The information also includes advertisements.

Abstract: An electronic interactive community directory (10) and portable player unit (12) adapted to receive, store, and provide for playback or otherwise communicate an information set (14) of information relating to people, businesses, or other members associated with a community of homes, businesses, or other interests, wherein the information is presented using a variety of media elements. The directory (10) includes a search function (38); a map and direction generator function (40); and network access (42) for accessing additional community-related information and functionality.