username vs email login?
- Started
- Last post
- 18 Responses
- slinky
when creating a site where someone can create a profile... is it better for users to login via an email address or via a username?
is there any advantage/disadvantage to using either/or?
seems most sites that I register at these days use the email address for logging in.
what say you?
- hotroddy0
Most porn sites (which have certain directories restricted) don't do emails only usernames.
This may sway you the other direction.
- heavyt0
I think the nice thing about emails are they are always unique, and you can always remember them.
- jamble0
I think the nice thing about emails are they are always unique, and you can always remember them.
heavyt
(Aug 5 07, 23:28)+1
- mimeartist0
yeah don't make me have to remember yet another username
- jaylarson0
email +1
- moth0
Depends if you're needing to let other users "see" each other - aka newstoday. Using email addresses in that case is somewhat detrimental (although NT is a poor example because they publish your email regardless).
- slinky0
any other input?
- milo0
depends what it's for.. as mentioned if it's an app/site where users can see each 'other' then you should go for user name.
- Witt0
email. user doesn't need another user/pass combo to remember and also saves you server space skipping one field in your database and automated tasks as newsletters, alerts, etc.
- Witt0
depends what it's for.. as mentioned if it's an app/site where users can see each 'other' then you should go for user name.
milo
(Aug 6 07, 06:56)this is true, but you can login with e-mail and have your name displayed anyway... I guess it all comes to how your DB is organized.
- Tara0
email
- OSFA0
and make sure as a security question you ask : ' wedding anniversary date' hahaha, that'll generate a few support calls... ;)
email for me!
- maximillion_0
using email can takes one step out of validation
- Witt0
just one username field in your db can weight:
1 character = 8 Bits
username (max 20 char) = 160 B
10 users = 1,6Kb
100 u = 16Kb
1000 u = 160Kb
10000 = 1,6 Mb
100000 = 16 Mb
1000000 = 160 Mb
- welded0
I agree that it probably depends on the application. If there's any sort of community aspect, then it'd be nice to allow the user to have a name, but email is always easy to remember.
However, have you considered how a user might be able to change their email address? Also, what's to stop you from allowing logging in using either an email or username?
- flavorful0
Used to be able to log into Spring with your phone number ... now they made everyone get a Username.
I sent them an e-mail about allowing e-mail address to be for a Username ... I've heard nothing.
The most ridiculous thing about their username?
It needs to be over 6 characters and have letters and numbers.
...
You know like a password.
...
Blink.
- Witt0
there's some crazy folks around here. that's good.
- geralddean0
I agree on using email for auth as a programmer but I hate that I have to on some sites as a user.