[Closed] stw - please stop logging me out

Tip 1: most smartphones let you zoom in.

Tip 2: most browsers on smartphones can remember logins for you making logging in a very painless procedure.

But yeah, it'd be nice if "Remember Me" meant "forever on this device" not "for a month or two"

Yup, I've had similar problems on each of my devices.. MacAir/iPad/iPhone. Have been logged out 4 times in the last couple of days.

Might not be STW, last time I enquired the reason they gave it's an Apple thingummy they do once a month, 4 times in a few days suggests they could be buggering around with the Interwebz again..

Tsk, Tsk

I click 'remember me' for a reason

Yes but 'they' want you to remember what the site would be like if you stopped paying your subs 🙂

It doesn't just happen on Apple, I've just had to log in to type this reply on my laptop.

#1StWorldproblem 😛

Yeah always seems to happen at the same time for me, had to log in on the iPhone this morning then again on my desktop when I got to work.

(yes, I know, I spend too much time here)

logged out on the PC this morning too!

Get logged out about once a month, normal for most websites. Logging in takes under a minute on any device.

Get logged out about once a month, normal for most websites.

Yep, but it [i]should[/i] be one month idle (i.e. since your last visit), not one month since you last entered your details even though you actually visited 20 minutes ago.

The forum received a minor maintenance upgrade some time last night / this morning which is why you (and everyone else) were logged out.

Bookmark this. It'll take you to the forum if you're logged in, and to the advert-free login page if you're logged out.

singletrackworld.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=forum/forum/off-topic

Next?

"last time I enquired the reason they gave it's an Apple thingummy"

I call BS on this. My work PC logs me out as often as any other device.

The adverts then block the login button..................

Yep, but it should be one month idle (i.e. since your last visit), not one month since you last entered your details even though you actually visited 20 minutes ago.

Should it? Works both ways round, just because you use something everyday doesn't mean logins shouldn't time out.

Would make more sense to me mike. If I was just using something AND I've expressly told it to remember my login then I wouldn't expect it to time out less than an hour later.

Obviously it'd be different on a website of more consequence (where there probably wouldn't even be a "Remember Me" option).

Anyway, Cougar says it was maintenance so fair enough.

Logged out a few times a month? I get logged out a few times an hour on my phone.

Aye - I had to log in with both Android phone and PC today. I reckon it's about monthly which isn't too much of a problem.

just because you use something everyday doesn't mean logins shouldn't time out.

Logged out a few times a month? I get logged out a few times an hour on my phone.

You might want to check the settings for cookies on your phone's browser.
Sounds like it is set to either not accept them or delete them automatically.

You might

Yeah, I might... 🙂

My Wordpress "logged in" cookie from STW seems to expire on 10th June, which seems a bit arbitrary if that's the one that keeps you logged in. Nonetheless I expect to be randomly logged off before then.

btw it's interesting how STW showers you with advertising cookies even when you're logged in. I guess "no adverts" doesn't imply "no tracking by advertisers"!

Is also a pain that the "login" link seems to be about the last thing that gets rendered on the page, making me wait ages for the stupid ads to load, well on an iOS device at least.

[quote=mrblobby ]Is also a pain that the "login" link seems to be about the last thing that gets rendered on the page, making me wait ages for the stupid ads to load, well on an iOS device at least.

[quote=Cougar ]
Bookmark this. It'll take you to the forum if you're logged in, and to the advert-free login page if you're logged out.
singletrackworld.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=forum/forum/off-topic
Next?

Bookmark this

mrblobby » Is also a pain that the "login" link seems to be about the last thing that gets rendered on the page, making me wait ages for the stupid ads to load, well on an iOS device at least.
Cougar »
Bookmark this. It'll take you to the forum if you're logged in, and to the advert-free login page if you're logged out.
singletrackworld.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=forum/forum/off-topic
Next?

I do that, but sometimes you just hit refresh on a browser window for some thread you were looking at earlier, only to find you've been logged out. So to save having to go back to the main page, hunt through pages of threads for the one you want to read, sometimes you might just hit refresh instead 🙄

The forum received a minor maintenance upgrade some time last night / this morning which is why you (and everyone else) were logged out.

How is the Hamster after his hip replacement op?

Do people still use bookmarks? Is it 2010?

Clearly not, or we wouldn't have this conversation every month.

I do that, but sometimes you just hit refresh on a browser window for some thread you were looking at earlier, only to find you've been logged out. So to save having to go back to the main page, hunt through pages of threads for the one you want to read, sometimes you might just hit refresh instead

Click the link I posted (or just the Log In link on the page), log in, hit Back, hey presto. No searching involved.

Do people still use bookmarks?

As opposed to what? Telepathy?

As opposed to what? Telepathy?

Cougar - Moderator

Next?

Can you sort out the posting history to enable you to view from where you last posted? Pretty Please!

Is also a pain that the "login" link seems to be about the last thing that gets rendered on the page, making me wait ages for the stupid ads to load, well on an iOS device at least.

Sort of. Type an S and the browser suggests the most likely web page.

One of the ways it does that accurately is by looking in your bookmarks. 😀

No probs here on iPhone lol

Well, it seems to be substituting punctuation for txtspk, so something's not right on it.

Serves me right for reading this thread on my iPad, only had to log back in four times so far tonight!

Can you sort out the posting history to enable you to view from where you last posted? Pretty Please!

This ?? please or better still view from your last read post. It's definitely possible.

nickjb
Sort of. Type an S and the browser suggests the most likely web page

And that first page suggested is probably Pron. And the second, third, and probably even the forth one coming (pun intended)........ 🙄

You're clearly not following a sensible Smutwalling strategy there max.

All one-handed browsing occurs in a completely separate browser with tighter security and Incognito/Private browsing turned on.

I get logged out every 3 to 4 days on all devices I use...they are all set to keep cookies and I also have them set to Remember Me...if it is maintenance that is causing this then the forum is in serious need of replacement as it looks like almost daily that maintenance is happening.

[quote=DickBarton ]if it is maintenance that is causing this then the forum is in serious need of replacement as it looks like almost daily that maintenance is happening.There's obviously something more specific to your setup involved or the same would be happening to everyone.

Every device, every time I fire up STW, since last night. Even with Cougars bookmark thingy it's starting to grate slightly.

My iphone still takes me to the front page after I login, complete with ads, including a large green cover-all ad that I can't close.

It's very easy to say to use the login page link, but we all know it's a PITA if you just want to pick up your phone between work to have a peek, to realise you've been logged out and then have to blah, blah, blah.

..and that, beyond all others, is the reason I have cancelled my subscription. I don't really read the mag, but was happy to pay £35 a year for the site, but this issue, with no public acknowledgment, just grinded my gears. There are ways around it, which I don't want to do, but if I'm fobbed off with workarounds instead of some public statement like "yes it's an issue", why should I?

(It's not cookies/my browser or any of the reasons that are usually suggested in these threads - it's left to the mods to suggest the workarounds )

(It's not cookies/my browser or any of the reasons that are usually suggested in these threads - it's left to the mods to suggest the workarounds )

So why does it work for a majority then. Such as myself.

So you, are a majority?

The "Remember me" box is the most pointless thing on this site. It does nothing.

Still, "it's not really an issue, nothing's broken, bookmark this link, etc., etc."
That and "the banner ads are beyond our control" argument. Comedy gold.

So you, are a majority?

Yup.

That says it all.

You're not doing anyone any favours.

It's an issue.

It's an issue yes but proved very hard to find the problem, even more so when it's proving difficult to replicate.

Just because you can't seem something being done doesn't mean they haven't tried.

It's an issue for you and it seems to be related to your phone/computer/browser/network settings otherwise we'd all be having the same issue. That we're not means that there's something going on outwith the STW environment.

It's an issue yes but proved very hard to find the problem, even more so when it's proving difficult to replicate.

Clearly I've not spent enough time on here (!), but I've never seen that admitted before by anyone such as Mark, Chipps etc.

I'd climb right back off my soap box if that's been admitted anywhere.

..and thanks Druidh for quoting the same twaddle that's always trotted out 🙂

So why does it work for a majority then.

Seems like a good use of that vote thingy that's on the homepage, if you/they are brave enough...

I access this site via personal iPhone, work phone, tablet, personal MacBook, work personal laptop and work hot desk style desktops. I've always had stw log me out every day or so irrespective of what I use. Amazon on the other hand seem to know it's me unnervingly regularly no matter where I use the computer. It's a bit creepy. And if a tiny company like Amazon can do it (without calling all their users dumbasses) I'm sure the might of stw towers should have no issue.....

I access this site via personal iPhone, work phone, tablet, personal MacBook, work personal laptop and work hot desk style desktops.

and that, beyond all others, is the reason I have cancelled my subscription

Wait... you cancelled your subscription because you occasionally have to click on a link to log in?

Wow!

I'd climb right back off my soap box if that's been admitted anywhere.

Yup it has but don't worry about it.

And if a tiny company like Amazon can do it (without calling all their users dumbasses) I'm sure the might of stw towers should have no issue.....

I can't recall that though.

And if a tiny company like Amazon can do it (without calling all their users dumbasses)

This.
Was just thinking the same thing as I went on to Amazon.
Would love to see them tell their users they're not setting up their devices properly.

To be fair, Amazon only sort-of knows it's you. You [i]appear[/i] logged in, but if you actually try to buy something you'll usually have to [i]properly[/i] log in with a password.

GrahamS, I expected better from you 🙂

£35 year for something to fire up in quiet times at work, to realise you've been logged out and have to wait a minute for the adverts to load before the 'log in' appears.....yeah, it got a bit much!

Apparently it's been admitted as an issue by the site owners, but Drac is being a smart arse and won't link to it.

To be fair, Amazon only sort-of knows it's you. You appear logged in, but if you actually try to buy something you'll usually have to properly log in with a password.

Not true for me. I very rarely have to log in to buy anything.

Not true for me. I very rarely have to log in to buy anything.

That's funny I always have to login to buy something.

Apparently it's been admitted as an issue by the site owners, but Drac is being a smart arse and won't link to it.

No. I admitted they acknowledge there's an issue where by some users get logged out, they don't know why as it can't be replicated. I can't link to it because I wouldn't know where to find it, I'm having my tea, I'm shattered from being at work for 13 hours, I'm trying to chase up work emails and I really don't think it's necessary but please feel free to insult me if you wish.

GrahamS, I expected better from you

I get that it's mildly annoying. I mean when I have to log in again I do tut a bit or maybe even roll my eyes. But cancelling your sub over it seems a bit drastic.

Out of interest I just tried logging out and seeing how long it took me to get the ad-filled forum up and log back in.
26 seconds. And that's on an old iPhone on 3G.

Not true for me. I very rarely have to log in to buy anything.

That would worry me somewhat!

To be fair, Amazon only sort-of knows it's you. You appear logged in, but if you actually try to buy something you'll usually have to properly log in with a password.

Even that would be a step towards improvement on here. I've been logged on with my PC this evening...now returned to it and I've been logged out and have to log back in again to post - nothing has been done to the machine - the browser was left open (but the STW window had been closed) so my session and whatever was still 'active'.

Could it be somehow related to memberID number? Not the actual Member name but the ID in the database? Could it be a bank of users within the database are suffering rather than anyone and everyone?

Without wanting to divulge too much of my life, but I just did some stuff in kitchen, locked doors, cleaned teeth, got into bed and guess what, logged out!

If it's something that belongs on an STW KEL, then I can live with that.

Paying for a 'premier' sub which does this, with ****y responses such as Drac's, gets pretty frustrating, so you just give up paying for it.

No flouncing, just what I decided 🙂

Could it be a bank of users within the database are suffering rather than anyone and everyone?

Plausible but I've no idea how they work at STW HQ.

No flouncing, just what I decided

Are you sure?

Paying for a 'premier' sub which does this, [b]with ****y responses such as Drac's, [/b]gets pretty frustrating, so you just end giving up paying for it.

Difficult being a mod.
Perhaps things like this should be dealt with by Chips or the STW team rather than volunteer mods.
But yes, it can be a problem, and it is annoying.

^ agree.

It's just logged me out now. On iPad, not been to any other site or on any other device, just moving between threads.

£35 year for something to fire up in quiet times at work

Maybe that's the issue, you're expecting £35 worth of service, whereas I only have a £15 digital sub, so I expect less 🙂

It's just logged me out now. On iPad, not been to any other site or on any other device, just moving between threads.

So it sounds like one of three things:

- the login cookie only gets set when you actually log in and expires a set time (say 30 days) after that timestamp, regardless of how often you visit during that time or even if you are visiting a that moment.
- or the session tracking (the bit that ties the login cookie to an actual login) is a bit screwy.
- or they are doing maintenance again and had to take the session database down.

Or some combination of those.

We have enough geeks here to sort this with a bit of coordination from the STW "web team" surely?

convert, you need to delete your cookies and clear your cache before moving between threads. It's that simple really.

🙂 yes silly me- I just need to remember to do that 3 times an hour and it would work beautifully. Damned ungrateful users nausing the place up!

Next time someone (technically minded) gets logged out, take a peek at the cookie before you log back in again and see if it has actually expired. That might help rule out one cause.

That's funny I always have to login to buy something.

I don't. I'm guessing I'm not unique in this. (In fact I know I'm not).

It is funny though.

FeeFoo, I'm in the same boat. I'm thick, though, so not sure whether to laugh.
I've been logged out quite a few times over the last week or so (Android tablet and phone). When I've gone to log back in, the tick's been gone from the box. Who's doing that, then?

Whilst I appreciate this is probably not helpful,

You have to understand that as Mods, the 'face' of STW if you will, we have no access to the underpinnings of how the site works. For my part I try to be as transparent as possible, and suggest workarounds as they come to light not as part of some JHJ-esque conspiracy There Is No Spoon coverup but because I'm trying to help. I have no doubt that Drac and the anonymous others have similarly positive intentions at heart, even though I expect it's somewhat challenging to remain bouncy when you're met with a grumpy userbase after a 13 hour shift at work.

I don't think anyone has ever actually denied that there is an issue, for some users, and that others seem to get on just fine. Why that might be, we don't know. Or at least, I don't have a scooby myself beyond what I've already posited. It's demonstrably not a site-wide issue or everyone would be having the same problems. We've put forward suggestions and ideas which have helped some, but if it was an easy global fix, it would've been fixed by now. I'm pretty sure that the Powers That Be don't run a site which is [i]intentionally[/i] idiosyncratic just to spite you (though I probably would).

I'd be interested to see if anyone replies to GrahamS' idea, that might throw a bit more light onto it.

I get logged out all the time on an ipad. Worse - whenever I click either the [u]URL[/u] or Video code buttons it blackscreens, dumps me out of Safari and logs me out all in one fell swoop.

As soon as Andy Armstrong rolls out the new website everything will be sorted

For the sake of balance; I don't have any issues with it remembering me; no complaints here.

whenever I click either the URL or Video code buttons it blackscreens, dumps me out of Safari and logs me out all in one fell swoop.

That one seems to be a new "feature" of the latest Safari on iOS. It used to work just fine. I don't think we can blame STW for that, even terrible javascript shouldn't be able to crash browsers.

Though interestingly although I get the same crash it doesn't also log me out. That might suggest your iPad is only using an in-memory session cookie for some reason. Can I ask what settings you have under Settings->Safari->Privacy and Security ?

I was more grumpy at being called an arse than the 13 hour shift.

Cheers Graham for helping people and info gathering.

Yeah, about that - think I misinterpreted your tone. Was a bit grumpy myself. Sorry 🙂

No worries.

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