Do you use OpenID ?

OpenID is a service that eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites.

OpenID is open source technology, is not proprietary, and is completely free. OpenID takes advantage of already existing internet technology allowing you to easily transform an existing URIs into an account which can be used at sites which support OpenID logins.

You can use your OpenID on any one of a growing number of sites (nearly ten-thousand) which support OpenID. Many blog services, such as Blogger, will allow you to leave comments using your ID.

Here are some places you can visit to see where you can use your OpenID to log in today:

• myOpenID Site Directory
• The OpenID Directory

How to get an OpenID

You may already have one. If you use any of the following services, you already have your own OpenID:

AOL

openid.aol.com/screenname

Blogger

blogname.blogspot.com

Flickr

www.flickr.com/photos/username

LiveDoor

profile.livedoor.com/username

LiveJournal

username.livejournal.com

Orange (France Telecom)

http://openid.orange.fr/

SmugMug

username.smugmug.com

Technorati

technorati.com/people/technorati/username

Vox

member.vox.com

Yahoo

http://openid.yahoo.com

WordPress.com

username.wordpress.com

Well Known & Simple Providers

If you don’t have an OpenID yet, here are a few which are generally recommended by various members of the community. In the end you should choose a Provider from a company which you trust. You can look at a guide comparing provider feature sets.

• 
  ClaimID
  claimID is the free, easy way to manage your online identity with OpenID.
• 
  myOpenID
  Secure, free, hosted OpenID server by JanRain.
• 
  VeriSign’s Personal Identity Provider
  Free OpenID Provider with support for multi-factor authentication.

• 
  myID.net
  Free OpenID Provider with support for groups and Korean language.
• 
  myVidoop
  Free OpenID Provider that eliminates passwords with security features, customization, and browser integration.

All Providers

For a list of more OpenID Providers, check the list on the wiki. We don’t make any guarantees about the providers listed, though most are quite good.

Roll Your Own

Of course, you can always use your own URI, blog URL, website, etc as your OpenID. Delegation is the simplest way to get up and running with OpenID . Sam Ruby wrote a great tutorial. Delegation requires nothing more than an OpenID Provider and some basic HTML.