Comments for Microsoft, Yahoo! and the Effect on OpenID

Blogger Beta Ships OpenID

2007-11-30T08:43:03Z

Google announced tonight that the new Blogger (nicknamed 'Blogger in Draft') will support OpenID-based commenting. Essentially it means that users of OpenID-enabled services - such as LiveJournal, WordPress and TypeKey - can comment on any Blogger blog using their accounts from those sites, rather than with Blogger/Google accounts.

This is another small but significant step on the way to an open identity system on the Web, something that we here at Read/WriteWeb have been promoting. Incidentally you may be wondering if we will 'eat our own dogfood' and implement OpenID on this blog -- it is in the plan for our big re-design, which is coming very soon!

Thanks David Recordon for the heads up.

Comment from Elf on 2007-11-30

2007-11-30T09:12:52Z

Again open but not enough, why only for comments, why not allow openID based authentication on for google accounts?

Comment from Vishal Sharma on 2007-11-30

2007-11-30T09:23:19Z

I agree with ELF why not take this further... Its just too little.

Comment from Zach Beauvais on 2007-11-30

2007-11-30T10:20:25Z

I'm wondering how adding OpenID to R/WW will actually make a perceived change? At the moment, you just type in your name (required) Email (required - not published) and URL (optional). Is this not easier than signing in?

What is the advantage? Is it in tracking comments? Now, I like the idea of having a single ID (blimey, but I have a lot of ID's!), but when a system is so easy to comment on (such as the one I'm using now), what's the reason for adding a sign in at all?

Comment from allen stern on 2007-11-30

2007-11-30T12:41:39Z

I posted my notes from my call with JanRain last week:
http://www.centernetworks.com/openid-needs-more-marketing-conversation

OpenID needs a marketing team, the technology is there.

Comment from Matthew Griffin on 2007-11-30

2007-11-30T12:47:40Z

For many applications, I think OpenID is a great concept. But I stand with Zach in asking how addding OpenIDmake will actually make a change? Most sites you comment on regualarly remember your personal info anyway so you don't have to retype it.

Comment from Malachi Petunia on 2007-11-30

2007-11-30T13:23:32Z

Why use it for comments only? I suggest that it is an ideal test-bed for OpenID as yet-to-be-discovered flaws in the system can be found without opening the blogger account to wanton destruction. Currently comments are protected by CAPTCHAs so it is a baby step with very light impact if it fails.

Not "too little too late", but "just the right amount" given the maturity of the protocol.

Comment from Ben on 2007-11-30

2007-11-30T23:44:46Z

To "eat your own dogfood" means to use it internally. It would make sense if you made the admin account for R/WW use Open ID--but that would not be that impressive! :) I think what you meant to say was "walk the talk." Yeah, I'm anal.

Comment from ryan on 2007-12-03

2007-12-03T18:07:23Z

thanks for the plug! we're looking forward to the full rollout, and to provider support...