---
title: 'OpenID: Aaron Hockley takes a stand and you benefit'
date: '2008-04-24T19:43:55-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 532
char_count: 3020
tokens: 692
categories:
  - AaronHockley
  - Anotherblogger
  - Blogging
  - Blogs
  - Commenting
  - OpenID
  - Vancouver
  - Washington
tags:
  - Anotherblogger
  - Blogging
  - Blogs
  - Commenting
  - OpenID
  - Vancouver
  - Washington
---

# OpenID: Aaron Hockley takes a stand and you benefit

[Vancouver’s Aaron Hockley is fed up](http://www.anotherblogger.com/2008/04/24/taking-a-stand-openid/ "Taking a stand on OpenID").

> I’m going to take a bit of a stand. Effective immediately, I will no longer comment on tech blogs that don’t support OpenID for comment authentication.

And I, for one, really respect his taking this stance. I think it’s these small, self-admittedly “mostly insignificant” kinds of actions that make things happen. The journey of 1000 miles and whatnot.

Aaron makes a strong argument for every blog pursuing its own [OpenID](http://openid.net "OpenID") login for comments:

> OpenID is a win-win for blog comments. It’s a win for the comment author, since it means less info to type. It’s a win for the blog owner, since it means the comments have a “real” identity behind them.

I mean, if you really want to be part of the conversation, shouldn’t you make it as easy as possible for others to join in the conversation?

**Of course you should.** And OpenID can help you do that.

And you—as a Portlander or Silicon Forester—should be more than embracing OpenID. You should be singing its praises from the rooftops, if only to support great companies like [Vidoop](http://vidoop.com "Vidoop"), [ConfIdent](http://confidenttechnologies.com "ConfIdent"), and [JanRain](http://janrain.com "JanRain") who are the forefront of OpenID development.

OpenID is like the [Portland Trail Blazers](http://blazers.com "Portland Trail Blazers") of technology around here. Only better. [Like the ’76-’77 Blazers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-MWtQ64rr4 "Blazers championship"). That’s right. You know what I’m talking about. The plucky young upstarts who win despite all odds.

And OpenID has more than a fighting chance. But it still needs the support of each and every one of us.

But what if it’s a technical issue that’s preventing your adoption? (Like me, for instance. I wrangled my OpenID WordPress implementation for hours before [Chris O’Rourke](http://twitter.com/chrisorourke "Chris O'Rourke") was able to pinpoint the issue and help me resolve the problem.)

Well, you don’t have that excuse anymore. Because Aaron has offered to help:

> And I’ll put my time where my mouth is: I’ll help you. If you follow those links above, and can’t figure it out, or you try it and it doesn’t work. I’ll help. [Send me an e-mail](mailto:ahockley@gmail.com). I want you to have OpenID.

I’m looking forward to using my OpenID to comment on your blog the next time I swing by.

#### So where’s that benefit for you? Right here, tiger

In fact, how about this? Let’s round up a list of all the Silicon Forest based blogs and services that support OpenID.

If you’re one of them, use your OpenID to comment below.

I’ll work on gathering a comprehensive list for posting. And then we’ll work on promoting your blog or service for being one of the ones who’s supporting OpenID.

Just as a way—albeit minor—of saying “Thank you for using OpenID.”