The Sun BabelFish Blog
Don't panic !
creating a foaf+ssl cert in a few clicks
In a previous blog I showed how to create a foaf+ssl cert manually. I have now put up a simple test server where you can do the same in a few clicks.
The test.foaf-ssl.org/cert service will add a certificate to your browser securely, and create a local acount to which your certificate is pointing. This account will itself point to your Web Id. An account in this scheme is nothing more than an RDF file, such as the ones listed in the certs directory. You can then login in one click, without needing to remember a URL to other foaf+ssl services on the web. There are a few and growing number of prototype implementations listed on the foaf+ssl wiki.
All that remains to be done now is to create more interesting and valuable services using the distributed social networks and foaf+ssl. For some ideas on things to do consult the foaf+ssl Use Cases. The foaf protocols mailing list is a great place to get help on implementations and discuss ideas.
The server is written using Wicket and deployed on a GlassFish Application Server. The code is open source under a BSD licence. Hackers welcome!
Posted at 11:59AM Feb 12, 2009 [permalink/trackback] by Henry Story in SemWeb | Comments[3]
Note on comments:
- I know the forms below are a little small. We have asked for years for this to be changed, but I don't think it's going to happen soon. In Apple's Safari you can resize the entry box with you mouse. For people using other browsers click on this javascript link, that should allow you to resize your form.
- Comments are moderated, so they will take a little time to appear. Currently moderation means I have to read them personally. Hopefully with OpenId deployment, this will become more automated.
- HTML markup no longer works here, due to some decision made somewhere. Sorry about that.
- If you are having trouble posting, it may be that you need javascript to be enabled. I don't think javascript should be needed for submitting a form, but that's the way it is here.
- Check your comments by using the preview button...

is http://test.foaf-ssl.org/cert/ supposed to be browser-clickable? When I click it, I get a "godaddy" page. Am I misunderstanding?
Posted by Joseph Razavi on February 12, 2009 at 08:11 PM CET #
Oh, I just found that http://foaf-ssl.org/cert/ seems to point to the correct thing.
Posted by Joseph Razavi on February 12, 2009 at 08:14 PM CET #
I just seriously messed up the DNS of my server. I think it's back online
now. Sorry, try for the moment
http://173.1.74.194/cert/
Mhh, this could mess up the test page for a while too as the server will have trouble finding the account.
Argh!! Using the "User friendly" interface of godaddy completely confused me. Also I only do this once a year or so...
Posted by Henry Story on February 12, 2009 at 08:16 PM CET #