Facebook supports username log-in

We knew that Facebook had bigger plans for vanity URLs/usernames when it opened them up for registration this summer.

The popular bet was that it would create a mention/reply system similar to Twitter's @replies. That was shot down this week when Facebook launched its mentions system, which uses real names. But on Thursday, Facebook started letting users log in with their usernames.

(Credit: Facebook Blog)

This might not seem like a big deal at first glance since most Web sites use username log-in. But this is a time saver, compared with typing in your full e-mail address every time. I still suspect that we will see our Facebook usernames being used for more things in the future, though it's unclear what those things may be.

[discern]

Now if they would only remove that annoying, albeit intermittent, autofill blocker, which prevents Safari from entering my login info automatically.

[bourgtai]

Another huge time saver is "remember my password" options in your browser. I just logged on to here through Facebook Connect with one click.

[sdfwef_ewer]

I fail too see how this is significant time-savings... my browser already enters it for me.

Better time-saving hint... avoid facebook altogether.

[hawkeyeaz1]

LOL! True!

[leap_day_man]

Bad, bad, bad idea. Facebook already has virus problem for them to add to their woes. Twitter has had a lot more hacked account problems than Facebook, because it's blatantly obvious what a person's login name is, it's their vanity URL. All you need is to run a password cracking program against the login 'ev' for example and wait. With Facebook (up until now) you couldn't tell what email a person used to sign up with. I, personally, use an email address that my friends and family do not have. Yeah, might make it harder to find me, but I'm sure no one is going to hack my Facebook page. Now, people can see my vanity URL and then use that is my login and run a pswd cracker. If they go forward with this, it will make me remove my vanity URL.

Bad, bad, bad idea.....

[Sophie-Capri]

They're not "vanity urls!" Just because a person would rather have a name or handle or even just a word instead of a bunch of random numbers in their profile url to make it easier to remember, does not make them vain! Please, let's ditch that insulting term and call it "word url" or "name url" or something that doesn't judge everybody as vain for using a word in their url! I am not vain just because I'd rather my profile had something easier than just a ton of numbers!

[harrisonh1]

I don't think that when people use the term "vanity URL" they're necessarily calling people that use them vain. I think that people equate it to a vanity license plate where you can choose what to put on your plate as opposed to randomly assigned numbers and letters.

[Sporlo]

Seriously? You take offense to the term "vanity URL"? That's just what they're called. It doesn't judge everybody as vain.
Although... "excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc."
"concerned about one's own appearance" That could very well apply to someone who wants a certain URL. Now obviously it doesn't apply to everyone, as like you said, you might just want something other than numbers, but it's not like "vanity URL" has nothing to do with what it is.
Most things are only offensive if YOU TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY. If you take offense to something, you acknowledge it's true, even if you really don't think it is.

[bkissel]

Maybe the vanity URL will be an OpenID?

[nmabry]

Is the logical next step that your "vanity url" would become an email address? You can already send email from Facebook, why can't I receive email at facebookmail.com?

[Sporlo]

isn't facebook basically already like an email service, just with a whole lot more features?