The Blog of Peter Filias

…a self-proclaimed Computer Ninja

Login, signup, Log In, Sign Up!?!??!

September 28th, 2009

Is it just me that thinks the Internet world is grossly misusing the terms login, log in, signup, and sign up?

If we’re talking about what a user DOES, they “log in” and they “sign up”.

If we’re talking about the things they own, they own a login to a site, they remember a signup to a site.

When you visit a website, you’ll often see a link for “Login”. Now, literally, that’s just a noun sitting out there. Shouldn’t it be “Log In”?

If they want you to sign up, shouldn’t the link be titled “Sign Up”?

I decided I’d go look for a log in link used on the first site that came to my mind: smugmug.com.

Kudos to SmugMug for keeping it straight!

SmugMug Photo & Video Sharing. You look better here.
Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

I decided to venture out, looking for a sign up link used on the first site (well, second) that came to my mind: basebamphq.com.

See plans, pricing, and free trial.
Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch!

So, it looks like this “condition” I’m seeing isn’t 100% canvased across the internet, but it’s pretty common, and I think it should stop.

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The Blog of Peter Filias

…a self-proclaimed Computer Ninja