Identity Uniqueness Problem - Can openid solve it?

[Martin Atkins]

백주성 wrote:
> Identity Uniqueness Problem
> 
> 
> In real world, there are people who’s name is same. But, in online, they
> have been required unique identifier always.
> 
[snip]
> 
> I think that
> 
> Identifier should be one which he/she really want.
> Identifier can be modified as his/her wish.
> Identifier should not be unique.
> 
>  
> 
> How do you think about that?
> 
> 

My view on this is that services should not emphasise the
globally-unique URL as the main identifier for a user. Allow the user to
choose a display name and use that, because URLs and i-names are ugly.

I'm imagining, say, a forum app which displays next to each post the
user's non-unique and site-specific handle in large, bold letters but
then displays in smaller, de-emphasised text the URL identifier. That
way the globally-unique identifier is there if you need it, but people
can use more natural (and non-unique) identifiers primarily.

It is important that the global identifier is readily visible to avoid
problems with people pretending to be other people. That kind of
behavior can cause all sorts of havok.

Of course, how identity is presented depends on the application. In
situations where it is of utmost importance to see the URL identifer,
that should of course be displayed with greater precedence.

Cheers,
Martin