Open Connections (OConn) is a protocol and REST based API for managing profiles and relationships in a distributed fashion. It is built using standard protocols, including OAuth 2.0. OConn is under active development. As such, the content of this wiki is a work in progress.
The API is the way profile providers interact with other applications and profiles on other systems. The API is designed to be implemented as a REST based web service.
Profiles form the foundation of OConn. A person creates a profile with a profile provider and this forms the basis of their interaction with other users and applications across the Internet.
Part of what makes OConn unique is the ability to interact with applications uniformly across different profile provider implementations. This is in strong contrast to the walled garden approach, which is to act as a gate keeper between application developers and the users they serve.
The foundation of the Open Social Web must be built on a solid authentication mechanism. OAuth 2.0 will be the basis for this.
The protocol is the underlying communication format. It will be documented and, assuming sufficient interest, it will be submitted to a standards body.