OpenID: One ID To Rule Them All?
OpenID is an open source single sign-on framework that allows for a single ID to be used to access multiple online locations… and that sounds so interesting right? Right.
Let’s see if I can make it less boring. OpenID is a service that allows one site to control your access to all your other websites that participate in the OpenID service. This is to allow you to have a single ID to sign in to multiple websites while at the same time providing tighter security.
For example, you can sign into Wordpress and Twitterfeed using an OpenID and that ID access is verified and confirmed. That helps eliminate the problem of someone else learning your password and mucking about in your stuff and you don’t need to remember multiple username/password combinations.
OpenID has been around for quite some time actually, but it hasn’t gained much footing yet – until now. Yahoo is implementing OpenID which means your Yahoo ID will work for many other sites (and conversely, your OpenID will work with Yahoo). Yahoo joining OpenID triples the number of OpenID users and give OpenID the backing of one of the largest online companies. TechCrunch provides a quick rundown on the details of Yahoo’s implementation of OpenID.
What does this mean for you? Well… maybe nothing at the moment. You probably don’t need one. If you don’t need one though, why am I mentioning it? With Yahoo backing OpenID and especially if Google or some other big players join in – it will take off like gang busters and it’s sometimes nice to get your feet wet before the big wave hits. Sorry for the mixed metaphor … just making sure you’re awake.
If you have a Yahoo account you’ll be set right? Well, yes… but what if you give up on that Yahoo account? Or that Wordpress account? Then you have to go back through those other OpenID sites and reset all your OpenID accesses. Now we are back to boring, tedious stuff. Plus, what if you want a specific ID to use as your OpenID? Maybe your Yahoo ID wasn’t your first choice in ID?
Here’s my recommendation: get an OpenID specific account. This will allow you to set one account for all OpenID websites that isn’t tied to any other service besides OpenID. This will allow you to have OpenID specific support and services without having to dig through tons of other primary service layers to use it (like Yahoo!IM or Yahoo!Mail). A good site for an OpenID only account is MyOpenID.com. They have good security options and an easy management system.
So keep an eye out for this logo: 
When you see that logo you know the website you are vising supports OpenID – and you’ll be happy that you don’t have to go through a whole new registration process. For a listing of many of the sites that use OpenID, check the MyOpenID Directory and the OpenID Directory.
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