When I became an affiliate with the Internet Password Organizer people (yes, that's an affiliate link), they very kindly sent me a free organizer. Which just arrived today.* I'm happy to have it. For years I've been using a program to save my passwords. It's password protected itself, so whenever I can't remember a password I have to open up the program (wait wait wait), then type in my password (which is invariably wrong the first time, though I really think it's them and not me). And every time I do it I'm a little bit annoyed. I think it's a good idea to have them on one's computer, but I really like the idea of having them in more convenient form right on my real-life desk in hard copy. So I'm going to be transferring them over.
The organizer is nice looking, hard covers, spiral bound, 5.5" x 8". Tabbed pages, with lines for Web Page, Username, Password, and Notes in the main section. Plus there are sections at the back for ISP Info, Home Network, Licenses, and miscellaneous Notes. It seems to be designed thoughtfully.
* And I knew it was going to, too! Because I used TrackThis to track the package via Twitter. So I received direct messages on Twitter as the package traveled from North Carolina to Massachusetts to Connecticut. And, I don't know, that just appeals to me somehow, watching it approach.
Tags: organization, passwords, Internet Password Organizer
Posted by Debra Hamel on November 17, 2008 | 
I use a password system, so I never have to record my passwords anywhere. Here's an example of a system (not mine, of course, but just to give you an idea): Take a number that you can easily remember but that no one else would know (let's say, your dog's birthday, 11/20). Then for each site that requires a password, take the first 4 letters (or last 4, or whatever) of that site's name -- like AMAZ for Amazon.com, TYPE for Typepad.com, etc. Devise a system for splicing the numbers and letters; for instance, your Amazon.com password might be AMAZ1120, your Typepad.com password might be TYPE1120, etc. That way, you can easily figure out the password for every site that you visit, but every password is different, which is what the experts recommend. And no need to write them down where someone could find them (which is obviously more of a problem for those who work outside of the home!).
Posted by: Karen | November 17, 2008 at 05:15 PM
That's a good idea. I wasn't that organized over the years, I'm afraid. I've got a few that I remember without difficulty, but some of the more obscure, less visited sites are a problem.
Posted by: Debra Hamel | November 17, 2008 at 06:56 PM
I also use Firefox, which stores all my passwords behind one master password.
Posted by: Karen | November 17, 2008 at 09:29 PM