Art -

If you're getting the "name is already taken" it's probable that you're clicking the link to create a new membership rather than the "button" to Login.

I just logged out so that I could log back in to see exactly what steps are needed. This may be oversimplified, but one-step-at-a-time is the only way to be sure all the steps are right:

1. On the Threads Page (Lyrics and Knowledge) the box at the top probably will say "Quick Links" in the box.

2. Click the arrow beside the "Quick Links" box, and a windowshade should roll down where you can click "Login."

Note here: when you click on Login, the box will probably stay highlighted (blue/black background). If you touch the mouse wheel, it can roll the selection to something different. If you click a blank space outside the box it will "un-highlight" what's in the box, and you can be confident that it won't change on you before you make the next click.

3. Click the "GO" button next to the box where you've selected "Login."

4. You should get a new "page."

The text at the top of the page should say:

"You are not currently logged in. Your cookie may have expired or has been deleted. If you are a member, please enter your Mudcat name and hit submit."

5. There should be a blank/empty box labelled "Mudcat Name"

Type your mudcat name in the box.

6. There should be a grey button labelled "Submit."

Click on the grey SUBMIT button.

Note: Below the button labelled "Submit" the text says:

"If you are not a member of the Mudcat and would like to join, click here."

7. DON'T DO THIS: If you put your name in the "Mudcat Name" box, and click on the blue "click here" instead of clicking the "Submit" Button, you'll get the response that "name is already taken."

8. Below that "click here" will be text:

"If you are having problems switching names or with your cookie, go here to logout, then log back in."

9. Don't click on the "go here to logout," unless your really do want to log out.

10. After step 6 above, when you click on the "Submit" button, you should get a new page. The text at the top of the page should say:

"Your Member information was found.
Enter your password below to reset your cookie."

11. A box immediately below that text, labelled "Mudcat Name:" should contain the name you typed on the previous page.

12. A second box labelled "Password" just below the Mudcat Name box should be empty. You need to type your password in the empty box labelled "Password:"

13. After you've typed your password, there's a grey button with "Submit Query" on it that you click to complete the login.

14. Things not to do:

Below the "Submit Query" button (step 11), there should be a line, and below that there should be text:

"If you cannot remember your password, enter the e-mail address you registered with below and hit submit.
Your password will be mailed to you."

You shouldn't need to use this lower section, since I think you've had recent discussion about your password; but for the benefit of others who may be looking over our shoulders:

Your password can ONLY BE SENT to the email address on file for your Mudcat name. If you change email addresses and don't update your personal information YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE IT. Your only recourse will be to email direct to Joe Offer and beg, plead, bribe, extort, or otherwise work out a mutually satisfactory resolution.

That's about as step-by-step as I can make it, and it worked for me a few minutes ago (assuming this post has my regular name on it.)

John