major usability issue with most forums

[Shak]

something that really annoys me, and is the case on 80 - 90% of all forum pacakages out there, only takes a simple tweak and its solved.

wanna know what it is?

clue is sign/log in screen...

Shak

[rogerd]

Hmmm, I'll hazard a guess, but I think the majority of forums now offer a "remember me" auto login cookie...

[Sports Workout]

what do i need to do to have that 'auto-login' option on my site?

Zack (not Shak)

[rogerd]

It's just dependent on your software, Zack. Most forums let you configure that feature in their control panel. If your software doesn't do it, you could probably code a hack for it.

(OK, Shak, enlighten us... ;))

[isitreal]

Good question, reminded me of a pet peeve on phpbb, the log me in automatically box is unchecked by default, went into the template files and added checked="checked" to the checkbox input on login_body.tpl, that's one less step to guide users through.

[chadmg]

Is your pet peeve when someone tells someone to guess at an answer and then doesn't return to tell them the answer? ;)

[Shak]

lol, here goes, but maybe ull just think i am crazy.

so many forums that i use will have:

Log In field >>> Password field

however MANY MANY of these have "forgotten password" between the 2, so when I have entered username and click "Tab" it takes me to "forgotten password" rather than "enter password" ...

make any sense

happens all over the place, but luckily Brett and WebmasterWorld is NOT 1 of them

Shak

[Sports Workout]

shak,

this always happens to me!

so annoying for those of us who love the 'tab' key when filling out forms (probably most of us here in WW use this).

happens to me almost every time with paypal!

zack (not shak)

[Sanenet]

I'm with Shak on this one.

My online bank has some strange JS on the login form - if you just hit enter after putting in the password you go to "Become a client" page. Most annoying!

[chadmg]

Yes, being able to tab easily through a form is very important. There are some forms where they have a link to a help page (or a forgot your password page) next to many of the fields. Then when you hit tab, it goes to the next link instead of the next form field. It's a usability issue often forgotten about. Glad you pointed it out.

[rogerd]

Hmmm, off to check my forums... Good point, Shak, and one that's applicable to MANY login pages and forms.