So recently I wanted to post a comment on a web site and as many web sites are doing these days, I was presented with all kinds of options for logging in via a different service that I might already be logged in to. For example:
So let’s break this down. Here are the various things that happened when I clicked on these options:
- AOL: It appeared to be (at least at the login prompt) simply logging into AOL.
- Google: After clicking on it, a window appeared to pop up and immediately disappear. Was this because I was already logged into Google? But if so, it didn’t help me with my current situation, as the dialog box remained.
- Twitter: The terms of service were:
“Update your profile”? “Post Tweets for you”? I so don’t think so. Not going there.
- Facebook:
Should I give up my friends? Would you want me to give up you? I thought not.
- Yahoo! It appeared to be (at least initially) simply a login to the service.
- LinkedIn:
So…do I “trust this application”? Trust it with what, specifically?
Meanwhile, this was all to simply post a stupid comment? Somehow I think the world can get by without my pearls of wisdom just to leave my friends in peace. If I can’t do that for them, then I have no business being their friend to begin with.
About Roy Tennant
Yes, these multiple gateways to suck down more of my data have also turned me off. Just forget it then is my attitude. It seems like they are letting the cat out of the bag that they really don’t care about ideas and the exchange of views and all that feel-good-early-days-of-the-internet silliness, they are a business and the product is us.