It is always a good idea to have your own domain name and web site. I have used one domain for about 15 years to collect "stuff I am interested in" and as a home for open source and writing projects. My site has helped me get connected with a lot of interesting people over the years.<p>Participating in sites like Twitter, HN, G++, and perhaps Facebook has always, at least for me, been about getting pointed towards interesting information - basically to help find an hours worth of interesting and useful technical reading each day. It is not about creating a personal brand or identity. I think this is the right approach so I agree with the article.<p>So, have your own domain, make your blog a subdomain, communicate about what most interests you, etc.
I like the idea of a certificate. One of the problems with the autodidactic movement is a lack of 'proof'. You can be a self-made guru but but there's no formal way to prove that to an employer.