[JMI]

I agree that the password change is a "pain" but it is also a very prudent security requirement, particularily if you are aware of the number of Reversing Boards which have been hacked over the last few months. While User passwords were not the direct cause of such "successes", the concept of overall attention to proper security is a "good" thing.

How hard can it be to actually "write down" your passwords in some semi-secure location where you live? As stated, your computer will "remember" your current password for you, but that means "anyone" who has access to your computer, has access to your account and, if you are a "Member" to the FTP download password. We have already had several insistances where someone who "knew" or "discovered" the FTP password posted it on some other Board for the whole world to grab. I am reasonably sure that those of you who do not have a private password would not like a return of the days when there were, in deed, "too many users" to gain access on a regular basis.

As to where the "NEW RULES" might best be displayed, I did give that careful thought. It can not "appear" on the "Main Page" unless it is a separate Forum or part of the title. While it could be made a separate Forum, I do not have access to do so and wanted to put the information up where it would be viewed. Most of the Board's activity takes place in the "General Discussion" Forum, so I put it there. ANYONE who has not read these new RULES would arrive at the General Discussion Forum with this Thread marked with an "important" marker and it showing as a "new" Thread. One can "lead" readers to the Thread, but we can't "make" them read it, without making it like a "license" for software, where one has to click "I agree" to "continue." And how many times have you actually read what you were agreeing to, before you just clicked "I agree"? It is a fact that the vast majority of the "members" do not post at all and only read the Forums.

I do agree that everyone, including guest should be permitted to "SEARCH" the Forums and I recommend to Aaron that he permit them to do so. This would permit the widest sharing of information, to whose who may lack the skill or the courage to post, but want to start the learning process.

Regards,