OpenID
About
From the OpenID site:
OpenID eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites, simplifying your online experience. You get to choose the OpenID Provider that best meets your needs and most importantly that you trust. At the same time, your OpenID can stay with you, no matter which Provider you move to. And best of all, the OpenID technology is not proprietary and is completely free.
History
Before it was called OpenID, it was a plan hatched at Six Apart in Brad Fitzpatrick’s office to allow TypePad, LiveJournal and Vox users to comment on each others’ blogs. It was called YADIS, Brad created a mailing list and the 0.1 code.
A week later, give or take, it was renamed to OpenID, someone donated the domain name and I banged out a logo. Three years later, OpenID is supported by Microsoft, Yahoo!, AOL, IBM and numerous other organizations.
