Today happens to be that day.

Much to my amusement, I also happened to run across an article that states that OpenID is too hard for everyday use.

Absolutely! I couldn’t agree more. They still need to jump a gigantic new user hurdle. However, the alternative also sucks: changing your password for every service you use. So far today, I have changed the following passwords:

At Work:

• Two local computer passwords
• Two network passwords (one Unix, one NT).

At Home:

• One Vista machine.
• One Ubuntu laptop.
• One server-edition Ubuntu machine.

On the Web:

• Google
• Reddit
• jakevoytko.com x2
• Dreamhost
• Dreamhost MySQL (different password than the rest, naturally.)
• Facebook
• AOL Instant Messenger
• Amazon
• Windows Live (once I remembered which domain I used to register. This service plunges further onto my shit-list every time I use it).
• Internet provider
• Insurance provider

Special Passwords: (I.E. Don’t allow symbols)

• Verizon
• Digg

And I probably still have more to go! The good news is that a lot of sites seem to be converging on standards for passwords. Probaby 65% of the web-based passwords were in a section marked “Account Information” or “Profile.” Some were hopelessly buried.

OpenID may be hard, but they are taking a big step in the right direction. This is the web usability area that impacts users most

Ironically, one of the passwords I won’t be changing is OpenID, since the only time I used it, I used a throwaway password on a throwaway account that I don’t remember anymore . Doing this for the 5th time in a row is certainly encouraging me to sign up with OpenID and get another password to add to the list!