openID kills Windows CardSpace?!
Since Thursday we all know that Microsoft joined OpenID Foundation (Kim, Mike). First of all: Of course, not a bad news at all.
Microsoft´s Bill announced openID integration for Windows CardSpace February 2007. Ok, it seems that his goal becomes reality.
I worked for and living in CardSpace since 2 years ago, it was and is a nice and exciting time for us. Readers of my blog know e.g. my ToolBox activities, speaking actions on several conferences and of course, many many times just telling customers what Windows CardSpace is.
The Internet still needs an identity layer. No question.
The Internet still needs users that are aware of that moving in the digital clouds is like moving in reality.
The Internet still is YOU.
Of course, openID really tries to solve many identity related issues. Windows CardSpace, too.
In detail there are many differences between openID and Windows CardSpace, but that not bad at all.
Today, I just want to write about a personal perspective. My question is: "Microsoft joined openID Foundation".
How this message was assimilate in Germany?
It just a few words: "Microsoft don´t trust there own technology". "CardSpace is obsolete ?!" Not a joke.
German news sites reported about the joining of Microsoft in way that ANY customer and ANY end consumer must think in this way.
Things like "passport failed, openID comes in".
Things like "openID and Microsoft are one team"
Things like not any word about Windows CardSpace. Not any.
In my opinion Microsoft did a big mistake. Personally I had the chance to get in touch with a really really large customer that holds millions of identities. We get an email from this customers (and he really wanted to get in touch with Microsoft CardSpace). In his mail the customer explained his situation like "Hey, what´s going on, is Microsoft killing Windows CardSpace?") At the end of the day the customers STOPED the project because of he don´t trust CardSpace anymore. Hey MS, What´s this?
I think there are many many people at MS who are able to explain things for the press in a way they understand what is going on.
Why does Microsoft didn´t explain the hole picture in the moment of releasing such a news?
Things like "We want to kill the phishing issue of openID because Windows CardSpace makes it possible"
Things like "We believe in Windows CardSpace because..."
Things like "We joined the openID Foundation because....."
Things like "If you want to create proved identities use Managed Cards, Microsoft and OASIS has a concept"
Things like "Of course Microsoft want´s to be part of open standard systems, so we decided to join openID Foundation, but this do not mean that we will kill Windows CardSpace, far from it, we enhance Windows CardSpace by generation openID´s in a secure environment"
Things like "We believe in WS-Trust and Token Based Systems, so of course we will not drop away the concept of a security token service" (in private: for a Microsoft Gold partner like my company one of the main business values to earn money).
I really could write more "things", but not my job.
I just want to say, that I am not angry because MS joined openID Foundation. The only thing I want to advert: "Please don´t make the same mistake as in passport times". Think about your partners. E.g. we had the chance to push CardSpace to the clouds, we have the customer and the project. Since a half year we are talking with customers. Now it´s time to rock. And now we get (in Germany) a message that a customer must misunderstand. Not good. Really not good.
My wish is a sensible communication way with messages related to identity and Microsoft. We all know that this is a hot story.
Guys like Kim, Don, Mike really make a good job and I know the need to push things forward. That´s not my point. It would be cool to get in touch and get news like this before our customer get´s it :-) Because I have to argument why and how, and I want to do this really god with a deep knowledge of Microsoft´s future perspective.
Do not misunderstand this post, please! Thanks :-)