Logout - why not automatic?

[woodyork]

I've noticed that when I forgot to log out, that the next time i visit the forum I'm still logged in. Most passworded sites that I use automatically log one off when they exit the site.

[leehljp]

I prefer the log in set like it is. Now that I think about it, most of the places that I frequent do as this one does rather than logging me out when I leave.

Only my secure banking require it "every time", which I like.

[BobSch]

quote:Originally posted by leehljp

I prefer the log in set like it is. Now that I think about it, most of the places that I frequent do as this one does rather than logging me out when I leave.

Only my secure banking require it "every time", which I like.

I'm with Hank on this one. I like not having to login each time. Secure sites like banks, etc. need to verify your ID each visit. Here it's not necessary. JMHO

[Tequila]

I prefer this as well. Most forum sites I visit have it as an option though.

[woodyork]

I want to log in every time also. What I have a problem with is when I forget to log off and come back 4 hours later to find that I'm still logged on. My financial accounts log me off automatically when I've forgotten to log off. You don't want to leave them open because someone else may be able to access your account while you are actually offline.

It seems to me that this may also screw up the statistics about how many people are actually logged on at one time.

This is no big deal to me, just an observation and I won't be whinig about it anymore. I just thought it might be of interest to the moderators.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong[?]

I love this forum.

Woody

[Sam Conder]

It's an option with some forum softwares, but not with the one we use as far as I know. (Snitz)

[leehljp]

Woody: My financial accounts log me off automatically when I've forgotten to log off.

Mine does too! I like that on a security issue site.

You don't want to leave them open because someone else may be able to access your account while you are actually offline. . . <snip> I love this forum.

Leaving my account as "logged on" still requires a "log in" if another computer is used. No one can access my account while I am offline without my pass word wether I left it "logged in" or "logged out", unless they are on _my_ computer. (Pardon, Maybe Sam could )

Occasionally I log on with someone else's computer. If I am going to be there for a day or so and will be checking in a couple or three times or so, I just leave it as logged in; BUT, I make sure I "log out" on their computer before leaving. With my own computer, I have no problems as I control its use very closely.

The "Log in" only affects your own computer, because the cookie is kept on your computer, not this site; (stepping out of my expertise range) If it is kept on this site, the cookie on the computer must match the preferences set on this site. If this were to be the case, another computer and another user cannot log into your account "as you" unless they know your pass word. Without your password on their computer, they cannot get in even though you left it as "logged in". Hope this makes sense.

I like this site too. Helps me clear the cobwebs out of my brain. When I get through, it is CLEAR space in there. Over here in Japan there is an expression called "peeman atama" or bell pepper head - Air head, empty head! Some of my posts show it too![)]

[woodyork]

Thanks Hank. Excellent explanation. If I understand this correctly this means that my name disapears from the list of members on line as soon as I leave the site even though I did not log off. That would mean that my concern about the possible error in the statistics was unfounded. I appreciate you taking the time to explain this to me.
I'm sot of a geek so I like to understand how things work, so I learned something today and it's still early.

Woody

[LarryG]

quote:Originally posted by Sam Conder

It's an option with some forum softwares, but not with the one we use as far as I know. (Snitz)

Actually it is an option, under certain conditions:

When you log on, there's a checkbox labeled "Save Password." It is checked by default. UNCHECK this box, log in, do your forum business, and then close your browser. You won't still be logged on when you come back.

Note that you MUST close your browser. If you surf elsewhere and return here in the same browser session, you'll still be logged in.

[Ken Massingale]

It's like Hank and Larry explained. We use several different instances of Snitz forums on our Intranet (yes, I pay for them).
Due to the corporate sensitive information on some of them, we modify them so that certain cookies are not set. Another is modified to log the user out after a period of inactivity.

Hank, I could have made use of "peeman atama" for a handle before the prostate surgery a couple of years ago!! ;&gt
Ken