May 29
New Feature: OpenID logins
We just added a new Wordpress plugin here on automaticable so you can use OpenID login IDs. If you’re not familiar with OpenID, it’s a framework that allows you to use the same login information on a variety of webpages. From the OpenID site:
OpenID eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites, simplifying your online experience.
You get to choose the OpenID Provider that best meets your needs and most importantly that you trust. At the same time, your OpenID can stay with you, no matter which Provider you move to. And best of all, the OpenID technology is not proprietary and is completely free.
So what does this mean for you? Well, if you like to leave comments here, you can claim them with your OpenID login, rather than actually registering for automaticable. This is convenient if you’re a casual visitor and like to leave comments on a variety of blogs– you can use the same login on any blog that supports OpenID.
If you already have a login on automaticable, you could associate your OpenID login ID with it, and enjoy all the same benefits. Check out your profile page for details.
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
When your hour is up, you boys need to get off that computer and go out to play.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:24 am
…what?
May 30th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I think she is having flashbacks to our computer-limited childhood. Not sure why it creeped in here, though my guess is that it has probably been boiling up to the top for a long. Who doesn’t have random outbursts from times past?
May 30th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Have you considered using IDSelector? It makes the OpenID user experience a lot better. That way people don’t have to remember the whole URL of their OpenID provider. Check it out.
https://www.idselector.com/
May 30th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Hi Hannah,
That looks like a pretty simple tool to use, and it surely promotes the use and spread of OpenID. However, I’m not sure I’d want to use it here for a couple of reasons:
– The OpenID plugin I’ve chosen to use is well maintained and supported. It looks like to use idselector I’d need to go in a hack around with the template or plugin, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.
– Although it makes it easy for OpenID users from particular providers, it also favors particular providers of others, which sort-of contradicts the idea that nobody “owns” OpenID. Also, my OpenID provider isn’t on the list
May 30th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I have a question about this whole OpenID thing. I went to the site and it said that I already have a handful of OpenID’s already created through a bunch of services I already use. Does this mean that I can (and should) use them interchangebly, or do I pick one, make that my single “OpenID,” and forget that the rest are available.
With either scenario, how do I choose which one to use? I find that sometimes, having too many options can be a problem for the user.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Many prominent web services have already gone and converted their existing user logins to be compatible OpenIDs as well. This is good because then you don’t have to go to the trouble of registering a new one. Ideally, you only need one OpenID login from an OpenID “provider”. In the future, more and more websites will hopefully be OpenID “consumers”, such as automaticable. Then, you can use any one of your OpenID logins for these websites.
You should probably stick to one OpenID login. Although you might already have a few, each of them independently serves as your online “identity”. To build trust in your identity, you should try to use the same one everywhere. Choosing one will be a matter of choosing which of these “providers” you trust the most– who can keep your OpenID safe and secure; who will still be around 10 years from now to provide your identity, and keep up with new technology; of these services, who’s reputation do you want associated with yours?
May 31st, 2008 at 8:22 am
Scott, don’t you remember the constant struggle we had with sharing the computer in our house and you guys wanting to be glued to it, giving up soccer in the cul de sac and flashlight tag? Little did I know at that time that you’d be making a career of it! That was also right around the brief period that I knew more than you about computers
May 31st, 2008 at 10:10 am
Oh, silly momma. You only THOUGHT you knew more about computers