Charter Proposal

In accordance with the OpenID Foundation IPR policies and procedures this note proposes the formation of a new working group chartered to produce an OpenID specification. As per Section 4.1 of the Policies, the proposed charter is below (still liable to change during this feedback period). 

Name

OpenID Popup Working Group

Background Information

OpenID traditionally requires the Relying Party to redirect the entire browser window to the OpenID Provider for the user to authenticate before redirecting the browser back to the Relying Party. It is believed that the User Experience (UX) could be significantly improved if the authentication flow occurred within smaller popup window, making the experience less disruptive to the user. Although there are proof of concepts demonstrating the feasibility of hosting the existing OpenID UX within a popup, the experience can be further optimized if the OP is aware that its UI is running within a popup, rather than a full browser window. For instance, it is generally not appropriate for the OP to resize a full browser window, but it may be appropriate to resize a popup. 

Statement of Purpose

This workgroup intends to produce a very brief OpenID extension that allows OPs to indicate the availability of a popup friendly UX which can be used as alternative to the default UX. 

Scope

Produce an extension that allows an OpenID Provider to indicate its support of a popup friendly user interface, as opposed to the default user interface optimized for a full browser window. The popup must be in an independent browser window, and must not be framed by the RP. 

The workgroup will also investigate supporting user interfaces optimized for mobile devices. 

Out of Scope 

The content of the popup, and defining the UX within the popup is out of scope. 

Specifications 

OpenID Popup Extension 1.0 

Anticipated audience

All those interested in improving OpenID Usability. 

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 Popup Extension 1.0 final draft is completed. 

Proposers

• Allen Tom, atom@yahoo-inc.com, Yahoo!
• Brian Ellin, brian@janrain.com, Janrain
• David Recordon, david@sixapart.com, Six Apart
• Chris Messina, chris@citizenagency.com, Vidoop/DiSo Project 
• Breno de Medeiros, breno@google.com, Google

Initial Editors

• Allen Tom, atom@yahoo-inc.com, Yahoo!
• Breno de Medeiros, breno@google.com, Google