Why are the steps to free registration so complex?

What exactly are you having problems with?

I didn't have any problems registering and you, also, have obviously registered. What "problem" are you talking about?

If it's learning how to use the site, don't be too hard on yourself. It took me a week to learn that I can mark my subsciptions as "read" .

Thanks for attempting to help me out in this matter of registration.

I think i have it solved for now, but I have noticed that "registration" can imply a wide variety of different things depending

on the goal or objective of the requirement to register. I, for example had to "register" a copy of a hard drive clean up/ speed up program ,which included paying 29.95, inputting my personal

data, and receiving the 25 character long license/serial number to

activate the full features of that particular program... so far so good! The CR 4 registration process seemed redundant at the time since the producers of the CR4 newsletter probably already had my personal info along with my email address,(of course!)

My point was that there is more than one way to do a certain task, yet in the computer world, a task can be accomplished in a number of different ways, but only one of which is the easiest!

One can go from point A to point B in a straight line ( the shortest way) or a meandering one ( the shape of the Mississippi River)... If one's objective is speed and effiency, then the straight line is best, but if romanticly savoring the pleasure cruise from A to B, then the meandering path is best for the purposes of cultivating the enjoyment and the love of traveling!

To now answer your question, the proverbial "glitch" seemed to me at the time was the way in which the CR4 website responded to my input of the data it requested...I simply did not know if I had made an error or typo while in a half-awake late-night daze!

Ah! I get you!

You have to remember that programmers and users are two different people. I know of some programmers (emphasis on the "some") who think that things have to be done just so. Try suggesting a change and you'd get a stare that says, "are you kidding"?

Some do it the sensible way and ask the users how they think the program should perform. These types are my kind of people!

About that glitch you mentioned. Here's what I think happened.

If you're history with CR4 is like mine, you started off registering with GlobalSpec who sends you an email about products and other neat stuff. They invite you to visit CR4 and you do, eventually registering to join our happy community.

The "glitch" you mentioned is that CR4 required you to input your email address. Why is that? CR4 invited you so they must know your email address, right? Not quite.

If you visited the CR4 FAQ, you'll learn that this community is supported by GlobalSpec but is a separate entity. Their database is separate from ours. That being said, CR4 didn't have your email address before you registered.

Chris, is this correct? It seems to be the logical answer to our friend's question.

By the way, Steve, do you access the internet only every week? It's been that long since your asked your question. I thought you'd gone away.

Hello, Nier_Design_Owner

Would you please describe this "glitch" in more detail? I'll try to help.

Moose

Where you been Moose havent noticed your presence recently is everything ok?