From the comfort of one’s home, it can sometimes seem that OpenID isn’t such a big deal. One’s comfortable browser and one’s helpful web services mean that one can use a variety of services without encountering a “Halt! Who goes there!” challenge.
But when one is giving a test and using the prof PC at the front of the room, all these usernames and passwords could become tiresome. I may have to resort to doing some of the grading I brought with me. So that’s what OpenID is all about: convienient surfing while inflicting a test on one’s students.