OpenID has the ambitious goal of providing a decentralized single sign-on for the Web. However, such a system is only as valuable as the network of sites that support it. While OpenID has a long way to go until mainstream adoption, we found 15 really useful ways you can already utilize the authentication system, along with one “coming soon” sure to attract some interest.
Use AIM as your URI
Logins for sites that support OpenID are initiated by providing a URI (an identifying URL). If you are an AIM user, you can sign into any site that supports OpenID by using http://openid.aol.com/yourscreenname as your URI. You are then directed to an AOL page where you confirm your AIM credentials. For example:
AIMs integration of OpenID means tens of millions of people can access the rest of the sites on this list without creating new accounts.
Leave Comments on LiveJournals
You can leave a comment on a LiveJournal blog without registering and using an OpenID. Additionally, LiveJournal serves as an identity provider, so you can use your LiveJournal URI to sites that accept OpenID. LiveJournal founder Brad Fitzpatrick is credited with creating OpenID.
[img src="http://sale-online.click/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/lj-replies" caption="" credit="" alt=""]
Write the Next Great Novel
Well, maybe not, but Ficlets lets you collaborate on stories by adding a prequel or sequel to stories authored by other users. The site is part of the AIM Network, so it encourages users to use AIM’s integration with OpenID.
Manage Your Widgets
Widget management service provider Snipperoo allows you to login and create widget panels with your OpenID URI.
Track Your Exercise (or lack thereof)
RunLog is a small site developed at the MIT Media Lab that lets you track your running, and maintains stats like total distance, per week average, and per session average. The site does not actually have its own login system and relies completely on OpenID.
Post Sticky Notes
Stikis takes the concept of sticky notes and turns them into an AJAX-rich web page where you can create and move “stikis”. Login with OpenID to get started quickly.
Contribute to Product Reviews
Collaborative reviews site ProductWiki allows you to add comments, create a wish list, and tag items using your OpenID URI.
Share Photos
The popular geo-tagging photo site Zooomr is the first big photo site we know of to support OpenID for quick registration and login.
Find a Place to Eat
Menuism allows you to contribute to wiki-based restaurant reviews using your OpenID URI.
Claim Your Blog
If you use a blogging platform that supports OpenID (LiveJournal, Vox, and an MT and WordPress plugin) you can claim your blog on Technorati. For more details, check out the instructions on the Technorati weblog.
Participate in Social Bookmarking
Ma.gnolia.com is the first of the larger social bookmarking sites to support OpenID for storing and sharing your favorite web sites.
Authenticate with Microsoft CardSpace
Microsoft is including support for OpenID with their CardSpace identity initiative, which is part of Vista. Thus, as Microsoft pushes CardSpace as a form of authentication to the masses, OpenID use should continue to rise.
Travel the World
WikiTravelis a MediaWiki powered travel site where users collaborate on building a travel guide. To create new pages or edit existing ones, simply provide an OpenID URI.
Get 2GB of Data Storage
Jumbodir provides 2GB of storage and unlimited bandwidth, and you can login with an OpenID URI instead of registering for a new account.
Coming Soon: Login on Digg
In February, Kevin Rose announced that Digg will move to support OpenID for user logins. The Digg founder is quoted as saying, “We want to give people the freedom to move around online and this is a way to do it.” Quicker Digging and commenting sounds good to us.