SourceForge Embraces OpenID in a Broad Implementation
by Sam Dean - May. 07, 2008Comments (0) | Trackback URL- Related Blog Posts
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SourceForge, which is behind several media properties including Slashdot, SourceForge.net, Linux.com and Freshmeat.net, is announcing today that it is including OpenID functionality in its SourceForge.net website. OpenID, of course, is an open, decentralized framework for handling digital identities and authentication. It eliminates the need for multiple usernames online. Many big companies, including Google, Yahoo, IBM, and Microsoft (OpenID can be used with Windows CardSpace) employ OpenID. SourceForge's move, and the extent to which it's embracing OpenID, makes it one of the largest implementers yet.
SourceForge.net users will be able to log in with an OpenID and receive a corresponding SourceForge.net identity for use at other sites that support OpenID logins. “The OpenID technology is open source and has gained incredible traction against some big proprietary alternatives based on its reliability and ease-of-use. Our users have asked for it specifically,” said Jeff Bates, SourceForge's VP of Platform.
Microsoft is especially notable for having tried many proprietary implementations of single sign-on strategies, including .NET Passport, Microsoft Passport, and Windows Live ID. SourceForge.net’s deployment of an open source solution affects over 170,000 open source projects and 1.8 million users, according to the company. Company officials who contacted OStatic about the news also emphasized that SourceForge is going beyond many OpenID implementations by being both a relaying party and a referring party.
Along with integrating the OpenID technology, SourceForge has joined the OpenID Foundation, which is chaired by Scott Kveton. You can find out more details on using OpenID with SourceForge properties online.
Especially with the many proprietary implementations of single sign-on technologies, OpenID's open source effort to control the space isn't a lock yet. Nevertheless, broad implementations like this help the cause.
In addition, there are many advantages to adopting OpenID for open source developers. It's available for free, there is a lot of free sample code online, and there are no patent issues to confront.
Ryan Price uses OStatic to support Open Source, ask and answer questions and stay informed. What about you?
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