OpenID: Doing Away with Multiple Accounts

Do you have a Facebook or MySpace account? Facebook and MySpace both take advantage of the OpenID platform. OpenID is utilized by larger companies such as Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, and Google to allow for the creation of an account through either site, which can then be used on other sites which use the OpenID platform.

OpenID is not simply something used by the larger companies though. If you own a domain name and are able to make the necessary changes, you can offer OpenID access to your clients, friends, or family. Such services as those provided by myopenid.com allow for the creation of OpenID accounts through your own web site.

So how exactly does OpenID work and how does it help you? Let us say you frequent three different blogs, all of which allow you to access them by using an OpenID. Without an OpenID, you would need to create an account at each one of them directly. You have two options: try and use the same username and password for each one or use 3 different usernames and passwords. OpenID in essence does the first one for you. With OpenID, the site you are visiting accepts your OpenID site address and using the OpenID platform redirects you to enter your password. Once entered correctly, you are redirected back to the original site you visited. OpenID allows you to share only a small amount of information with the visited site, without having to create a separate account with the site.

So which sites can enable the usage of OpenID? If you are wondering which sites can create OpenID accounts, virtually any site which can make some necessary changes. Nearly all sites can accept them, if configured to do so. Web Scripts such as WordPress offers this ability as an add on feature.

Will this get rid of the need for multiple user names and passwords? Probably not, but it can help to reduce the need for multiple accounts. As more and more sites embrace the idea as something positive, it might become more common place. I have enabled OpenID through the several blogs I own and operate.

Pros: If it can allow for one less account to be created, it's a great thing; decentralized; no one owns OpenID

Cons: Lack of universal implementation; Not accepted by all sites (yet)