Actually Re: Does this user exist? was me. Originally I was going to be funny but in my sleep deprived state it wasn't at all. I'm still very, very tired but oh well. If you feel like sending a '--' where it counts then plonk it here. [Update: Oh yeah, the anonymous monk was part of the joke and I was already writing the node when I realized it didn't need to be anonymous anymore.]

The general attitude is similar to that expressed regarding symbolic references. People who ask that sort of question that way are defacto not qualified to write that piece of software. I don't know that I'd be qualified to write that either. The whole idea of having a web accessible user-creation system or really anything at all tied into the system is deep, deep mojo and difficult to get right.

Or put another way - this system is a way of removing several layers of authentication and access control. Many normal system protections are just being completely set aside (by going through this web->cron interface). Doing this right will take some serious meditation and knowledge of the host environment.

Fun Fun Fun in the Fluffy Chair