Name
OpenID Account Chooser Working Group
Background Information
The term "NASCAR UI" is used to refer to one of the most common user experiences on Relying Parties to enable users to login with an identity provider. There are a number of known usability problems with that UI, especially in terms of supporting a large number of identity providers, and for offering users the ability to log in with either an identity provider or a traditional email/password. The identity community has had discussions about building a “cloud based” identity selector to deal with some of those problems. The idea has been to mix the user experience advantages of Information Cards, the popularity of consumer identity providers, and still support large numbers of identity providers as InCommon has done. The end result is a user experience that is being called an Account Chooser. For background, see accountchooser.com.
The account chooser model can in some cases improve usability on a website even if it does not support identity providers, or a website that only supports identity providers, or a website that only supports a single identity provider. The model should be protocol agnostic where possible to support both multiple protocols or multiple versions of the same major protocol. The account chooser model can also allow a relying party to customize the set of buttons it shows during the "add account" flow based on IP geolocation of the user to help promote a larger number of identity providers around the world instead of just a small number of providers as is generally shown on a NASCAR UI. The working group will discuss all of these use cases.
Statement of Purpose
This workgroup intends to produce user interface specifications for how a relying party can implement an account chooser for both adding accounts, and selecting an account that was previously added. The specification would include a definition for the API interaction between a JavaScript widget and RP server that are being used in combination to implement an account chooser.
Scope
Produce a specification for the account chooser user interface.
Out of Scope
The working group is not expected to define non-backwards compatible changes to server-server protocols such as OpenID v2.
Specifications
OpenID Account Chooser User Interface 1.0.
Anticipated audience
All those interested in improving the usability of relying parties.
Language of business
English.
Method of work
Mailing list discussion. Posting of intermediate drafts in the OpenID Wiki. Virtual conferencing on an ad-hoc basis.
Basis for completion of the activity
The OpenID Account Chooser User Interface 1.0 final specification is completed.
Proposers
Basheer Tome, basheer@basheertome.com, independent
John Bradley, jbradley@me.com, independent
Nat Sakimura, sakimura@gmail.com, NRI
Kevin Long, kevin@janrain.com, Janrain
Pam Dingle, pdingle@pingidentity.com, Ping
Axel Nennker, Axel.Nennker@telekom.de, Deutsche Telekom AG, T-Labs (Research & Development)
Andrew Csinger, Andrew@mobio.net, Mobio
Eric Sachs, Esachs@google.com, Google
Chuck Sievert, csievert@google.com, Google
Wei Tu, weitu@google.com Google
Andrew Dahley, andyd@google.com, Google
Chris Messina, messina@google.com, Google
Enterprise RP - waiting for confirmation
IDPs - need to reach out
Allen Tom, independent - if needed
Initial Editors
Eric Sachs, Esachs@google.com>, Google