> I don't want to drag in a social graph along with identity auth, but YMMV.
As I read it, that's completely optional, and I think since that doesn't exist yet (right?), having that option sounds great. I'm probably naive to dream of diaspora etc. and Facebook getting along, but even just smaller sites playing nice could make this very useful.
Jallmann, I am not sure who you think will be doing the dragging. The community? The developer of the app they install on their local copy of the platform? The friend who wants you to know that they're on there? You?
The app developer benefits from this feature for free, just by integrating with the platform's decentralized identity system. The app or community host can turn it off, or simply not implement it (eg ignore your social graph). The friend could simply not grant you the permission to see them. Or you could sign up and see your friends (who wanted you to see them) but not let your friends see you. Finally, you could turn even the social experience off and see the containing site as if you have no friends. So it's totally optional. But there are so many stakeholders in a decentralized system that ehen you said "I don't want to drag my friends" they have a choice too.
An extraneous social overlay simply isn't on my list of desirable properties for an auth system (aside from WoT type mechanisms, which is clearly not the sell here). I'm thinking SSL client certs, you're thinking Facebook Connect. Different strokes.
Anyway talking about your social login system is getting quite off topic.
As I read it, that's completely optional, and I think since that doesn't exist yet (right?), having that option sounds great. I'm probably naive to dream of diaspora etc. and Facebook getting along, but even just smaller sites playing nice could make this very useful.