This article is meant to provide answers to any questions you may have regarding the registration process.

How Does this Registration Process Work?

It’s quite simple actually.  My site uses a system called OpenID – which allows visitors to use a single sign-on to authenticate on a number of sites on the Internet.   Here is a more detailed description from Wikipedia:

“OpenID is an open, decentralized standard for authenticating users which can be used for access control, allowing users to log on to different services with the same digital identity where these services trust the authentication body. OpenID replaces the common login process that uses a login-name and a password, by allowing a user to log in once and gain access to the resources of multiple software systems.”

In short, if you subscribe to any of these services– you can log into this site using their authentication platform.

The advantages of using OpenID are:

• No need to remember a new username and password combination.  Don’t we already have enough of these to remember??
• Your login credentials are safe – because I don’t have them.  Whatever provider you choose keeps your login information – they only pass an alphanumeric identifier to me.  Even if my site were to get hacked – no one could get your login information – I don’t have it!
• Easier for me – I don’t have to deal with forgot password problems.  Also, it helps reduce SPAM because users have to possess one of these 6 accounts and agree to share profile (something most spam bots can’t do).
• You don’t have to waste time filling out another registration form.  Whatever provider you choose will apply the information it has on file to your profile here when you register.  Of course, you can add/update your profile information whenever you like.

What are the Registration Steps

1. Click Login link on the homepage or above comments box of an article.
2. You will be prompted with a page that asks you which platform you’d like to authenticate with.  The list of supported services is above.
3. This step may vary slightly depending on the platform you chose – but the process is essentially:
   1. You will be taken to the provider’s site (e.g., facebook.com) to login.
   2. After logging in, your provider will ask you if you would like to share information with this site (jaytravels.rpxnow.com).  Choose Yes/Accept.
   3. Provider returns you to my site and automatically creates a profile with the information listed below.

That’s it – you are ready to contribute.  If you like, you can update your profile with additional information.

What Information is Shared?

You can update your profile to add any of the information not automatically submitted by the provider of your choice, including complete contact information, IM accounts, and upload your own photo.

To update your profile:

1. Scroll to bottom of any page & click My Profile
2. Update whatever content you like.  Note:  You cannot change the username – it is the authentication key used between my site and your provider.  Also, you cannot change your password because – I don’t have it.  You’ll need to go to your provider, e.g., Yahoo, Twitter, etc. to change your password.
3. Save changes