[OpenID] Fwd: Excellent critique of OpenID usability

[Eric Norman]

On Aug 18, 2007, at 11:58 AM, tom calthrop wrote:

> Hi David,
>
> I took up the challenge of writing some texts for consumers first;)
>
> The following text is free to use and I welcome any feedback on it  
> (as we are trying to improve it for us as well:). We have a "what  
> is OpenID?" button within our consumer distributions. This links to  
> the following texts:
>
>
> What is OpenID?
> Bored with filling in registration forms? Lost your login  
> information again?  No idea which web sites have what information  
> held about you? You are not the only one. Many web sites today ask  
> you to register and many people forget their login information  
> which is stored in those web sites.
>
> OpenID is like a digital identity card with which you can show to  
> enter a web site. You get to keep your information in one place and  
> you get to choose which information you wish to present to each web  
> site.
>
> How does it work?
> We provide you with an option to log in to our web site using your  
> OpenID.  You enter your OpenID whereupon we take you to your OpenID  
> and request some information from you. If you agree you are  
> returned to our web site where you are automatically  logged in.  
> You can do this with any web site that supports OpenID.

"OpenID" is being used in two different senses here: identifier and OP.
I doubt that the phrase "take you to your OpenID" would make sense
to my sister.  Ummmm, no; you can't fix this by using the acronym "OP".

Furthermore, I'm not sure users care how it works.  The paragraph
might be OK. but how about labeling it "How to use an OpenID"?

> How do I get an OpenID account?
> Simply go to your favourite search engine and type in “OpenID  
> provider” to find service providers or if you wish to run your own  
> OpenID then type in “OpenID free and open source software” .

What purpose does the "or if you wish ..." clause serve for the  
casual user
who just wants to get an OpenID?  Do you really think anyone would
want to pursue this option?

Peter Williams's recommendation about just listing a few places to go
seems a lot better.

> [Assumed consumers will replace this with an advert for recommended  
> OPs]
>
> Who makes OpenID
> OpenID is an open Internet specification which is maintained by the  
> OpenID Foundation. More information can be found at http://openid.net/

Why would a user who just wants to get an OpenID so she can logon
to places care about who makes it?

Eric Norman
http://ejnorman.blogspot.com