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{{H:h|Reader toc}}
Logging in is not required for viewing pages, only for editing them. It also provides additional features.
Logging in is not required for viewing pages, and not even for editing them. However, it provides additional features, and in general projects recommend it.


==Logging in==
==Creating an account==
Creating a user account means that you supply a [[w:en:Wikipedia:Username|username]] (your real name or a nickname) and a password. The system will reject a username that is already in use. A user account is created only once. You are then "logged in". Next time you log in you supply your username again and demonstrate with the password that you are the same person.  
You cannot create a login account from the LabVIEW Wiki interface. The LabVIEW Wiki shares the same login info with the LAVA Forums. This allows you to have a single common login account for both sites. This is necessary because the LabVIEW Wiki uses LAVA forum threads for article discussions instead of Talk pages. If you already have a login account on LAVA then you can use that user name and password here.


Edits you make are recorded under your username. If you are not logged in your edits are recorded under your [[w:en:IP address|IP address]].
You must first create a login account over at the LAVA forums. That same username and password can be used on the LabVIEW Wiki login page.


Some projects using MediaWiki software form a family in the sense that one logs in to the family as a whole, and that common preference settings apply. Notably this is the case for the more than 1000 [[w:en:Wikia|Wikia]] projects. On Wikimedia projects logging in and setting preferences are currently done separately on each wiki (for  a proposal to change this see [[Single login specifications]]). You may like to maintain a cross-wiki identity by using the same username on each wiki that you use, if that name is still free.
Creating a user account means that you supply a username and a password. The system will reject a username that is already in use. A user account is created only once. You are then "logged in". Next time you log in you supply your username again and demonstrate with the password that you are the same person.
 
Any edits you make are recorded under your username.


== Why log in? ==
== Why log in? ==


You don't have to log in to read any MediaWiki wiki. You don't even have to log in to edit a MediaWiki wiki - ''anyone'' can edit [[m:protected pages considered harmful|almost any]] page, even without logging in.
The LabVIEW Wiki has a small number of editors and cannot afford the time and effort to clean up pages that have been vandalized. It's been proven that when a user logs in, they are serious about editing and are more likely to respect the site they're working with.


However, it's still a good idea to log in, for these reasons:
In addition:


* Other users will be able to recognise you by your username when you make changes to pages. As a "name" an IP address is somewhat clumsy. Also, if you use computers at different locations (home, office, internet cafe, etc.) you have a different IP-address in each case; even in the same location, depending on the Internet connection, the IP-address may be different each time. Therefore a username is better to maintain an identity.
* Other users will be able to recognise you by your username when you make changes to pages. As a "name" an IP address is somewhat clumsy. Also, if you use computers at different locations (home, office, internet cafe, etc.) you have a different IP-address in each case; even in the same location, depending on the Internet connection, the IP-address may be different each time. Therefore a username is better to maintain an identity.
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* You will be able to keep track of changes to modules you are interested in using a ''watch list''.
* You will be able to keep track of changes to modules you are interested in using a ''watch list''.
* If you choose to give an email address, other users will be able to contact you by email.  This feature is anonymous - the user who emails you will not know your email address.  You don't have to give your email address if you don't want to.
* If you choose to give an email address, other users will be able to contact you by email.  This feature is anonymous - the user who emails you will not know your email address.  You don't have to give your email address if you don't want to.
** ''Check the privacy policy of the individual site you're visiting, if any (for example, Wikipedia's [[w:Wikipedia:draft privacy policy|draft privacy policy]])''
* You will be able to [[Help:Moving_a_page|rename pages]].
* You will be able to [[Help: Renaming (moving) a page|rename pages]].
* You will be able to set your own ''[[Help:Preferences|preferences]]'', to change things such as:
* You will be able to set your own ''[[Help:Preferences|preferences]]'', to change things such as:
** The number of pages displayed in ''[[Help:Recent changes|Recent changes]]''
** The number of pages displayed in ''[[Special:Recentchanges|Recent changes]]''
** The fonts, colours and layout of the site, by using different ''skins''.


== How to log in ==
== How to log in ==


First, make sure that your browser accepts [[w:en:HTTP cookie|cookies]]. Some browsers can accept or reject cookies from individual sites; users of these should configure the browser to accept cookies from each wiki you plan to edit, such as ''wikipedia.org''.
First, make sure that your browser accepts [[wikipedia:HTTP cookie|cookies]]. Some browsers can accept or reject cookies from individual sites; users of LabVIEW Wiki should configure the browser to accept cookies.


Click on the ''[[Special:Userlogin|Log in]]'' link at the top right of the page. You will then be prompted to enter your username and password.  If you haven't logged in before, you will need to use the link provided to create an account. You may give your email address if you like.  
Click on the ''[[Special:Userlogin|Log in]]'' link at the top right of the page. You will then be prompted to enter your username and password.


If you click the box ''Remember me'', you will not have to give your password again when you access MediaWiki wiki from the same computer. This feature will only work if your password was not generated by the Mediawiki software.
If you click the box ''Remember me'', you will not have to give your password again when you access {{SITENAME}} from the same computer.


=== Log in problems ===
=== Log in problems ===
If you appear to be able to log in, but as soon as you try to look at a page after the 'Log in successful' page you appear logged out again, it is very likely to be a [[w:HTTP cookie|cookie]] problem. If you are certain that cookies are enabled, make sure that you haven't inadvertently listed {{SERVER}} on a list of sites to never allow cookies for (This feature is available in (at least) Mozilla Firebird (Firefox) 0.6 and above and Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 and above). Also make sure your computer's date and time are set correctly; if they are not, cookies may expire before they are supposed to. Note that some firewall and ad-blocking software may interfere with the cookie that {{SITENAME}} uses to keep a person logged in.
If you appear to be able to log in, but as soon as you try to look at a page after the 'Log in successful' page you appear logged out again, it is very likely to be a [[wikipedia:HTTP cookie|cookie]] problem. If you are certain that cookies are enabled, make sure that you haven't inadvertently listed {{SERVER}} on a list of sites to never allow cookies for (This feature is available in (at least) Mozilla Firebird (Firefox) 0.6 and above and Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 and above). Also make sure your computer's date and time are set correctly; if they are not, cookies may expire before they are supposed to. Note that some firewall and ad-blocking software may interfere with the cookie that {{SITENAME}} uses to keep a person logged in.
 
In addition to these steps, check to make sure PHP's directory for storing session data is writable.  This directory can be found in the php.ini file under the session.save_path setting.  Errors in this php.ini setting can also cause other problems.  Examples of these errors are referencing a non-existent directory or leaving out " marks around the directory name.  Random Wiki pages or edit previews might appear blank in Internet Explorer, but not with other browsers.  Also, the Save Page button might act as if one had pressed the Show Preview button when a user is logged in, but work correctly when one is not logged in.


A user may occasionally find him/herself "automatically " logged out in between beginning an edit and saving it, or when switching between multiple {{SITENAME}} pages open in multiple windows.  This can be a result of your browser's cookie, cache, or firewall settings, but due to the nature of the MediaWiki software; some user ID information is stored in the servers and sometimes, especially during heavy server load, the system can "glitch" and your ID information will be misplaced, resulting in a logout. Regardless of the reason for the logout, the simplest solution to the problem is to check the '''Remember me''' box.  If you do this on a computer that can be accessed by more than one person (i.e. at the library, at work, at school), please find and erase your user ID cookies after your editing session.
A user may occasionally find him/herself "automatically " logged out in between beginning an edit and saving it, or when switching between multiple {{SITENAME}} pages open in multiple windows.  This can be a result of your browser's cookie, cache, or firewall settings, but due to the nature of the MediaWiki software; some user ID information is stored in the servers and sometimes, especially during heavy server load, the system can "glitch" and your ID information will be misplaced, resulting in a logout. Regardless of the reason for the logout, the simplest solution to the problem is to check the '''Remember me''' box.  If you do this on a computer that can be accessed by more than one person (i.e. at the library, at work, at school), please find and erase your user ID cookies after your editing session.


If you log in and enabled the cookie feature, a subsequent log in as a different user without the cookie feature enabled will appear as logged out.
If you log in and enabled the cookie feature, a subsequent log in as a different user without the cookie feature enabled will appear as logged out.
Make sure the Internet Guest Account (eg. IUSR_FOOBAR, nobody, or apache) has write permissions to the folder listed in the "session.save_path" variable of the php.ini file.


=== What if I forget the password? ===
=== What if I forget the password? ===
If you enter an e-mail address when signing up for the account, or in your Preferences, you can request on the login screen for a temporary password to be sent to that address, which will allow you to retrieve your account. If you did not enter an e-mail address, or the address was out of date, you will have to create a new account.
If you enter an e-mail address when signing up for the account, or in your Preferences, you can request on the login screen for a temporary password to be sent to that address, which will allow you to retrieve your account. If the address is out of date, contact an Admin: (wiki [at] lavag.org).
 
=== Creating an account ===
 
To create an account, select [[Special:Userlogin|Log in]] (top right of page) then [{{fullurl:Special:Userlogin|type=signup}} create an account]. You usually need only provide a username and password. Some wikis require a visual [[Special:Captcha|captcha]] (Completely Automated Public [[w:en:Turing test|Turing test]] to tell Computers and Humans Apart). Users with text, speech, or legacy browsers will be unable to create an account if they can not view this image.  If you are unable to view captchas, contact an [[Project:Administrators|administrator]].
 
Note: As of September 26, 2006, the symbol "[[:en:at sign|@]]" is no longer allowed in usernames; see [[bugzilla:6849]].


== How to set preferences ==
== How to set preferences ==
Click on the ''Preferences'' link at the top right of the page for various options, including:
Click on the ''Preferences'' link at the top right of the page for various options, including:
* Changing your password.
* Changing your password.
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== Your ''User page'' and ''User talk page'' ==
== Your ''User page'' and ''User talk page'' ==
 
As a logged in user, you will be able to create your own ''user page'' and ''user talk page''.  When you are logged in, you will see your username displayed at the top right of the page.  Click on this to get to your user page, which you can edit in the same way as any {{SITENAME}} page.
As a logged in user, you will be able to create your own ''user page'' and ''user talk page''.  When you are logged in, you will see your username displayed at the top right of the page.  Click on this to get to your user page, which you can edit in the same way as any MediaWiki wiki page.


Most users write a little bit about themselves and their interests on their user page.
Most users write a little bit about themselves and their interests on their user page.


You also have a ''User talk page''. You can access this by clicking on the ''Talk'' link next to your username at the top right of the page. Other people may write messages in your user talk page by editing it, and you can respond. See [[Help:Talk page]] for more.
You also have a ''User talk page''. You can access this by clicking on the ''Talk'' link next to your username at the top right of the page. Other people may write messages in your user talk page by editing it, and you can respond.


== How to log out ==
== How to log out ==
You can log out any time by clicking on the ''Log out'' link at the top right of the page.
You can log out any time by clicking on the ''Log out'' link at the top right of the page.
==Other advice==
===Username impersonation===
Note that in some sans-serif fonts I (capital-i) and l (lowercase-L) look exactly the same, e.g. in Arial: <FONT FACE="Arial">I</FONT> and <FONT FACE="Arial">l</FONT>. If your username contains one of the two, it may be wise to register another account, but swap the letters (so if your username contains lowercase-L change that to capital-i). This is to prevent impersonation. You may then [[Help:redirect|redirect]] the userpage of the "dummy" account to your real account.
=== How to force logging in for editing ===
This is controlled through a [[m:wg variable|wg variable]].
See [[m:Setting user rights in MediaWiki#Configuring access restrictions to your wiki|Configuring access restrictions to your wiki]].
=== How to force logging in for viewing ===
This is controlled through a [[m:wg variable|wg variable]].
See [[m:Setting user rights in MediaWiki#Configuring access restrictions to your wiki|Configuring access restrictions to your wiki]].
{{h:f|langs=|enname=Logging_in}}<!--When translating leave this line intact-->

Revision as of 09:01, 30 September 2007

Logging in is not required for viewing pages, only for editing them. It also provides additional features.

Creating an account

You cannot create a login account from the LabVIEW Wiki interface. The LabVIEW Wiki shares the same login info with the LAVA Forums. This allows you to have a single common login account for both sites. This is necessary because the LabVIEW Wiki uses LAVA forum threads for article discussions instead of Talk pages. If you already have a login account on LAVA then you can use that user name and password here.

You must first create a login account over at the LAVA forums. That same username and password can be used on the LabVIEW Wiki login page.

Creating a user account means that you supply a username and a password. The system will reject a username that is already in use. A user account is created only once. You are then "logged in". Next time you log in you supply your username again and demonstrate with the password that you are the same person.

Any edits you make are recorded under your username.

Why log in?

The LabVIEW Wiki has a small number of editors and cannot afford the time and effort to clean up pages that have been vandalized. It's been proven that when a user logs in, they are serious about editing and are more likely to respect the site they're working with.

In addition:

  • Other users will be able to recognise you by your username when you make changes to pages. As a "name" an IP address is somewhat clumsy. Also, if you use computers at different locations (home, office, internet cafe, etc.) you have a different IP-address in each case; even in the same location, depending on the Internet connection, the IP-address may be different each time. Therefore a username is better to maintain an identity.
  • You will have your own user page where you can write a bit about yourself, and a user talk page which you can use to communicate with other users.
  • You will be able to mark an edit as minor, which avoids inconvenience for other users.
  • You will be able to keep track of changes to modules you are interested in using a watch list.
  • If you choose to give an email address, other users will be able to contact you by email. This feature is anonymous - the user who emails you will not know your email address. You don't have to give your email address if you don't want to.
  • You will be able to rename pages.
  • You will be able to set your own preferences, to change things such as:

How to log in

First, make sure that your browser accepts cookies. Some browsers can accept or reject cookies from individual sites; users of LabVIEW Wiki should configure the browser to accept cookies.

Click on the Log in link at the top right of the page. You will then be prompted to enter your username and password.

If you click the box Remember me, you will not have to give your password again when you access LabVIEW Wiki from the same computer.

Log in problems

If you appear to be able to log in, but as soon as you try to look at a page after the 'Log in successful' page you appear logged out again, it is very likely to be a cookie problem. If you are certain that cookies are enabled, make sure that you haven't inadvertently listed https://labviewwiki.org on a list of sites to never allow cookies for (This feature is available in (at least) Mozilla Firebird (Firefox) 0.6 and above and Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 and above). Also make sure your computer's date and time are set correctly; if they are not, cookies may expire before they are supposed to. Note that some firewall and ad-blocking software may interfere with the cookie that LabVIEW Wiki uses to keep a person logged in.

A user may occasionally find him/herself "automatically " logged out in between beginning an edit and saving it, or when switching between multiple LabVIEW Wiki pages open in multiple windows. This can be a result of your browser's cookie, cache, or firewall settings, but due to the nature of the MediaWiki software; some user ID information is stored in the servers and sometimes, especially during heavy server load, the system can "glitch" and your ID information will be misplaced, resulting in a logout. Regardless of the reason for the logout, the simplest solution to the problem is to check the Remember me box. If you do this on a computer that can be accessed by more than one person (i.e. at the library, at work, at school), please find and erase your user ID cookies after your editing session.

If you log in and enabled the cookie feature, a subsequent log in as a different user without the cookie feature enabled will appear as logged out.

What if I forget the password?

If you enter an e-mail address when signing up for the account, or in your Preferences, you can request on the login screen for a temporary password to be sent to that address, which will allow you to retrieve your account. If the address is out of date, contact an Admin: (wiki [at] lavag.org).

How to set preferences

Click on the Preferences link at the top right of the page for various options, including:

  • Changing your password.
  • Changing the skin, which changes the way that the web pages look.

See Help:Preferences.

Your User page and User talk page

As a logged in user, you will be able to create your own user page and user talk page. When you are logged in, you will see your username displayed at the top right of the page. Click on this to get to your user page, which you can edit in the same way as any LabVIEW Wiki page.

Most users write a little bit about themselves and their interests on their user page.

You also have a User talk page. You can access this by clicking on the Talk link next to your username at the top right of the page. Other people may write messages in your user talk page by editing it, and you can respond.

How to log out

You can log out any time by clicking on the Log out link at the top right of the page.