Online security frustrates the hell out of me, and you too, I imagine.  Not only are login systems for incidental services often harder to penetrate than my online banking, but they are invariably illogical in the extreme.

At the weekend I tried to book cinema tickets with Odeon.co.uk. After selecting the movie, cinema and show times, I tried to login – unsuccessfully.  As usual, the “Forgotten your Password” link was there to help. I duly clicked it, entered my email address, and received an email confirming my password. What a relief; except at no point would it remind me of my bleeding username, which naturally was not my email address!

So I have my password but no username, and cannot then login. The only thing left for me to do is re-register.  This would be fine, except their system tells me that I can’t do so because an account is already registered for that email address.  Not only that one, but for several email addresses of mine, as this is not my first time at The Odeon Rodeo.

All online booking systems really need to be fully tested for idiots like me, because we are everywhere.  If they aren’t designed to accommodate idiots, then companies shouldn’t be surprised at the results.

Stephen O'Donnell is a lifelong recruiter, internet enthusiast, fadgadget and peripatetic writer.

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