How to Create a Solid Account
Owning your data is vital in the digital landscape. Solid is an initiative led by Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, that enables users to control their personal data. This guide provides clear steps to create a Solid account.
Step 1: Choose a Solid Provider
Solid uses Pods, which are personal online data stores. First, select a Solid provider to host your Pod. Some providers charge for hosting, while others offer free accounts.
Popular Solid providers include:
- Inrupt.net (https://inrupt.net/)
- SolidCommunity.net (https://solidcommunity.net/)
- TrinPod.us (https://trinpod.us/)
Step 2: Visit Your Chosen Provider’s Website
After selecting a provider, visit their website to begin registration. This guide will use Inrupt as an example.
Step 3: Locate the Registration Page
On the Inrupt homepage, find and click the "Get Started" or "Sign Up" button to access the registration page.
Step 4: Fill Out Registration Information
Enter the following details on the registration page:
- A username that will be part of your Solid identity
- A strong and secure password
- An email address for recovery and notifications
Make sure your username is unique and memorable, as it will be part of your Solid WebID.
Step 5: Agree to Terms and Conditions
You may need to review and agree to the service's terms and conditions. Read them carefully. If you agree, select the checkbox to proceed.
Step 6: Complete the Registration
After filling out the form and agreeing to the terms, click "Register" or "Create Account." Some providers might ask you to verify your email. If so, check your email and follow the instructions provided.
Step 7: Set Up Your Solid Pod
After creating your account, set up your Solid Pod. Your provider will guide you through the setup process, which may include:
- Configuring basic privacy settings
- Creating folders to organize your data
- Managing access permissions for others to view your Pod data
Follow the provider's instructions to customize your Pod.
Step 8: Start Using Your Solid Account
Your Solid account is now ready! You can explore various Solid apps and services that utilize your Pod. This may include:
- Personal data management applications
- Social networking apps using your Pod data
- Data visualization tools for analyzing your information
Solid supports a growing ecosystem of apps designed to help you manage and utilize your data.
Step 9: Explore the Solid Community
As a new Solid user, you join a community focused on transforming personal data management online. Engage with various resources and communities:
- Solid Forum (https://forum.solidproject.org/)
- Solid Community Chat (https://gitter.im/solid/chat)
- Solid GitHub Repositories (https://github.com/solid)
Creating a Solid account empowers you to control your data and enhance your privacy in the digital world. Follow these steps to start your journey toward data ownership.
