Site: OpenID.net
Category: Infrastructure & Storage
OpenID is a solution for the log-in problem of having multiple identities online. With OpenID, you create one master identity online at a site you use a lot and tend to remain logged into--for instance, a social network or your personal blog. When you need to identify yourself to another new site, you point that site toward your main identity-providing site where you're already logged in. Your main site sends the new site your log-in credentials, so the new site now knows who you are.
In theory, if OpenID was adopted on every Web site around the Web, you'd need only one universal log-in and could forgo the often tedious practice of remembering user names and passwords. In recent years OpenID has seen growing competition from companies like Google and Facebook, which are pushing competing services.
(Credit:
CNET)
OpenID was created to solve one of the Web's biggest annoyances: log-ins. You've already got a verified identity on one site, so why do you need one for every place you visit? With OpenID, site owners can simply built it into their Web apps and services, letting you use your verified credentials from one site in place of having to sign up for yet another log-in.
The hope of OpenID is that it becomes a standard and universal system across every site, letting new sites spring up and have users more comfortable with signing up with less hassle. As of right now, there are nearly 10,000 sites that support OpenID, and many large and popular companies are adding OpenID as an option for new user registration.
Winner: OpenID (OpenID.net)
Category: Utility
- Firefox
- Google Reader
- Internet Explorer 7
- My Yahoo
- Netvibes
- OpenID
- Opera
- Safari
- StumbleUpon
- yourminis
Category: Browsing
OpenID is a solution for the log-in problem of having multiple identities online. With OpenID, you create one master identity online at a site that you use a lot and tend to remain logged in to--for instance, a social network site or your personal blog. When you need to identify yourself to another new site, you point that site toward your main identity-providing site where you're already logged in. Your main site sends the new site your log-in credentials, so the new site now knows who you are.
In theory, if OpenID was adopted on every Web site around the Web, you'd need only one universal log-in and could forgo the often tedious practice of remembering user names and passwords.
Web site: www.OpenID.net
Webware coverage: OpenID, a potential cure for Website password overload
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