On the system default footer for crossposts, make the word OpenID a link to information about OpenID

[algeh]

Title:
On the system default footer for crossposts, make the word OpenID a link to information about OpenID

Area:
crossposting

Summary:
According to http://www.dreamwidth.org/manage/settings/?cat=othersites the current default footer for crossposted entries is
<span style="font-size: smaller;">This entry was originally posted at <a href = "%%url%%">%%url%%</a>. Please comment there using OpenID.</span>".

I suggest changing it to
<span style="font-size: smaller;">This entry was originally posted at <a href = "%%url%%">%%url%%</a>. Please comment there using <a href="http://www.dreamwidth.org/openid/">OpenID</a>.</span>

Description:
I believe that many people, particularly users of LiveJournal who don't try to use their LJ as their main cross-site "internet identity", may not understand that the phrase "Please comment there using OpenID" at the end of a crossposted DW post using the default footer means they are likely to be able to comment on that post at Dreamwidth without creating a DW account by using their LiveJournal account via OpenID. They may not have any idea what OpenID is or that they already have one (or several) OpenID identities that they can use with minimal hassle. I base this assumption on the fact that I've had reasonably clueful LJ friends post anonymously to my DW posts and "sign" them in the body or subject line with their LJ identity rather than post them using OpenID (based on the type of comments, this is not a situation where it's likely someone is impersonating someone else).

Turning the word OpenID in the footer into a link to http://www.dreamwidth.org/openid/ would give readers a way to find out more about what OpenID is (and a place to log in using it) without cluttering up the footer with additional explanatory text. I am making the assumption that the amount of detail to include in the system default footer has been previously considered and that it's been decided not to include a lengthier explanation of OpenID in the text of the footer itself (I can see arguments both for and against this).

Note: I have no idea what the system default footer crosspost text actually is right now. I've changed mine around several times and am assuming the text at the bottom of http://www.dreamwidth.org/manage/settings/?cat=othersites is accurate. If it's not, I have an additional suggestion of updating that page to accurately reflect whatever the system default footer currently is, ideally by pulling the correct string automatically if this is not currently done.

Poll #12914 On the system default footer for crossposts, make the word OpenID a link to information about OpenID

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 55

View Respondents

This suggestion:

View Answers

Should be implemented as-is.
41 (74.5%)

Should be implemented with changes. (please comment)
0 (0.0%)

Shouldn't be implemented.
0 (0.0%)

(I have no opinion)
14 (25.5%)

(Other: please comment)
0 (0.0%)

Comments

[msilverstar]

OpenID is a complete mystery to most people, explanations are good! But maybe to open that in a new window? There are advantages and disadvantages of course.

[montuos]

I am mildly amused, because I had already changed my footer to include "you can log in with OpenID using your LJ ID" ages ago.