AO3 Changes Coming

[ysabetwordsmith]

In mid-December AO3 is doing a major update that will log out everyone.  If you don't have the right email and password, you won't be able to get back in.

I have checked my data, and it claims to be correct.  However, I have a serious problem with password decay and other account loss, so don't be surprised if that account dies anyway.  >_<

Comments

[syderia]

Thanks for the warning.

Have you tried to use a password manager such as LastPass? I find it very useful no to have to remember all my identification information for all the sites that ask for it.

[ravan]

I was just about to suggest a password manager like KeepaasX (free, multiplatform) and the sync the file (encrypted) to dropbox or google drive.

No ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

It's not an issue with my memory. It's an issue with electronics. They don't like me. They eat my passwords and cause websites to malfunction. All a program would do is propagate the problem.

Re: No ...

[kengr]

That's why LastPass is a *convenience* for me. I keep all the passwords (site, userID, email, password and anything else site specific that needs to be remembered) on 3x5 cards. They take up a couple of the "standard size" boxes.

If they "crash", I just have to pick up the cards and re-alphabetize them.

Yeah, if there's a fire, they're toast, but then I'd have far more to worry about than my passwords.

[quantumcupcakes]

I only ever read sporadically on there but I've checked my settings. Thanks for the heads up

[gatheringrivers]

I use a standalong program called "Password Safe".

I'm leery of online storage, so prefer being able to keep them offline.

I know you said you have issues with e-hardware and stuff. Maybe a couple backups of the files would help, reduce the risk of complete loss with multiple backups?

Failing that, if your place of residence is secure RL, maybe a password paper BOOK in which you handwrite the things would work. Certainly the book would be e-decay proof. :)

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I have a way of storing the passwords. The problem isn't me losing them. The problem is the distant source ceasing to recognize them. Or my username. Or my email. Or that the account exists at all. Or any combination of those things. Frequently in a way that has some sysadmin, if I can reach one, scratching their head and saying, "This isn't possible."

Our local nature group used to have me on their email list. When my eddress changed, I asked them to change it. They did. It didn't take. We tried a few more times, and eventually I just gave up. There's no way to make the program send email to me now.

Welcome to my life.

As for the files, I have the stories. But I'm not going to have time to re-upload them if the AO3 account vanishes, and I won't be able to upload new ones if I get locked out of it. There's a lot of material in there, so I'm hoping it comes through the change intact.

Re: Well ...

[gatheringrivers]

Oh weird! Ok, that wasn't how I interpreted it the first read-through, sorry about that. :(

Re: Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

It is weird, and that's why I rarely explain it in great detail unless it is happening at the time. But I know a lot of people here read my AO3 and it seemed prudent to issue a warning.

[iamnotgod]

Would the site admins be able to help on this matter? As a sort of 'please hold my seat in case bad luck strikes and something deletes itself'?

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

In theory, yes. In practice, that has only worked a couple times with sites run by close personal friends who A) already knew about my quirks, and B) were willing to hack at the problem for hours. Pretty much nobody ever believes it until they see it, and strangers aren't going to care.

And even that only works if we can still reach each other, and their changes will save.

[jtthomas]

AO3 has a feature where you can appoint a "fannish next-of-kin", giving someone else control of your account if you cease to be able to access it. Might that be a backdoor solution for the time being? It might be distant enough from you at that point that the password situation would at least be more solvable. Information here.

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

That's half of a good idea. The problem is, it's not revocable or changeable. Since people tend to get fed up with me eventually, it's not a helpful solution for me.

Re: Well ...

[jtthomas]

It is changeable, actually. If either party backs out and emails the same people who set it up, it's changed.

Re: Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Huh, that must be more recent.