Closed Bug 27648 Opened 25 years ago Closed 25 years ago

confusing dialog about database passwords

Categories

(SeaMonkey :: Passwords & Permissions, defect, P3)

x86
Windows NT
defect

Tracking

(Not tracked)

VERIFIED FIXED

People

(Reporter: warrensomebody, Assigned: morse)

Details

I tried to log onto webmail tonight and after entering my name and password, a dialog came up asking me for some sort of database password. This was very confusing -- at first I thought it was coming from webmail. Then I noticed from the title of the dialog that it must be something about single sign-on. I suggest some better terminology here. The user isn't necessarily going to think "databases" have anything to do with passwords. Apple's Powertalk system used the term "key chain" to the collection of keys that were themselves protected by a password. Maybe we need to come up with some kind of term like that that users can identify this dialog with.
Warren, see bug 27400. The dialogs used to refer to the sequence of characters that are needed open the database as the "database key". That was considered too "geeky" so it was changed to "master password." That was causing a confusion with the passwords stored in the database so it was changed back to "database key." Now in your bug report you refer to "database password". Since we never used that particular combination of words, I'm not sure which wording you actually saw and found confusing. If you could be more specific and tell me what the dialog said exactly and what you would like it to say, it would help. Thanks. Marking as wont-fix until a better term is proposed. If such a new term is found that is acceptable to product marketing, we can reopen the bug report and I'll fix it. (I'm easy on this point -- I'll go along with whatever consensus is reached.)
Status: NEW → RESOLVED
Closed: 25 years ago
Resolution: --- → WONTFIX
I meant "database key". I think database key is very confusing, and a has not been established with the user as a meaningful term at the point the dialog appears. The dialog really could use some a little expository text saying something to the effect "you need to entery a master password to protect all the other passwords that will be automatically filled out for you." There -- I used the term "master password" -- I think that makes a lot more sense.
Status: RESOLVED → REOPENED
Resolution: WONTFIX → ---
Kevin, do you agree with Warren's proposal to change it back to "master password" or do you feel we should stick with "database key"?
Status: REOPENED → ASSIGNED
Target Milestone: M14
OK, based on comments from dp about "key" implying encryption which are not doing, and no objections received from product marketing, I just changed "database key" back to "master password".
Status: ASSIGNED → RESOLVED
Closed: 25 years ago25 years ago
Resolution: --- → FIXED
verif.
Status: RESOLVED → VERIFIED
Product: Browser → Seamonkey
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