Registration with Open ID

In order to fully use this site, you need to let the site know who you are. This is done by putting your OpenID into the space provided and clicking "Login".

What is OpenID?

OpenID is a user name that can be used at many different web sites. The great thing is that you can maintain one single ID, and use that at many web sites. The OpenID itself looks like a URL. More information about openID in general can be found at: http://openid.net/

Where do you get an OpenID?

You may already have one! If you use any of a number of common public services like AOL, Blogger, Flickr, LiveDoor, LiveJournal, Orange (France Telecom), SmugMug, Technorati, Vox, Yahoo, WordPress, then you can use that id as an OpenID. To be specific, if you are an AOL user, you can use your AOL id in order to access this site. If you have a Yahoo login, you can use that to access this site. Check the page on Existing OpenID Providers to see if you already have one.

If you are not lucky enough to have one, then it is easy to get one by signing up at My Open ID (recommended) or a number of other OpenID Providers and check this comparison chart .

Managing Your OpenID

You control the password at your OpenID provider, and you can change the password at any time, keeping your ID secure. Since you use the same ID at multiple sites, changing the password of your OpenID is like changing the password at multiple sites. None of those sites ever gets your password, so you are safer.

How does it work?

OpenID uses your browser to verify that you have an account at your OpenID provider, and that you are logged into that provider. If you change browsers, you may need to log into your OpenID provider again. It will tell you if you need to log in again. Once the browser is logged into your OpenID provider, you then can access any OpenID web site without having to log in again. You simply specify your OpenID, and the web site can verify that your browser is logged in already. This might not seem like much of an advantage the first time you use OpenID, but imagine how much easier it will be when most of your web sites take OpenID. More and more web sites use OpenID every day.

Why don't I have to enter a Password?

OpenID is safer than a normal registration process because you never enter your password at the web site; there is far less chance that someone will steal your password. You only enter your password at the OpenID provider site, and usually only once per day (or other specified time period). In some cases when you use your OpenID, and you are not logged in, the web site will redirect your browser to the OpenID provider so you can enter your password, before accessing the site.

Can't someone else use my ID?

Knowing the ID is not enough to convince the site you are who you say you are. The OpenID can be freely shared without worry. It is an ID much like your email address, except without the danger of spam. You might consider putting it on your business card. The reason that nobody else can use your ID is because the OpenID provider requires that your browser be logged in. You have to log in to the provider. Then, the web site uses a secure challenge-response exchange in order to prove that you are logged in, without exchanging or exposing your password in any way. As long as you keep the password at the OpenID provider safe, nobody else will be able to use your OpenID at any site.

IF YOU HAVE

AOL (America On Line)

use http://openid.aol.com/{screenname}

MySpace

trying to find this!