Why so many usernames and passwords?

[keyon]

Not sure if this is the right forum to post the question.....let me know otherwise.

I'm trying to understand the mechanics behind setting up addon domains and installing wordpress blogs on those domains (HostGator).
I think I've got the basic components mapped out: (1) add a subdomain (addon), (2) create a MySQL database, (3) install WP.

However, I've noticed at each step of the way I'm asked to create a username and password:

Addon Domain Username
Addon Domain password

MySQL database username
MySQL database password

wordpress username
wordpress password

This is getting confusing to me. Do I have to create unique usernames and passwords for everything? Will there be conflict if use the same username/password in more than one place? Will there be conflict if I use the domain name as a username?

I'd like to set up a simple naming convention / pattern that I can duplicate across multiple sites.

thanks for your help

[weegillis]

The obvious advantage of several different UN/PW is security. If a dictionary program is used to discover one password, it will still need to discover the other two to be of any use. The number one recommendation given to all newbies is don't have a single password for everything.

[m2weblogs]

I think I've got the basic components mapped out: (1) add a subdomain (addon), (2) create a MySQL database, (3) install WP.


Hm... It could be even more simple. Do you have Fantastico De Luxe ? I think it goes with hostgator CP?
Then you just (1) add a subdomain (addon) (2) Install WP via fantastico de luxe (MySQL database username is made automatically, you just need to put wp user name and pasword!)

[keyon]

Hm... It could be even more simple. Do you have Fantastico De Luxe ?
Yeah...I've tried some of the auto-installers (like Fantastico) --- no doubt it's a faster process. Seems like it starting acting a little buggy on me though (sorry, I know that's vague). And when I tried to go in and fix things, I first had to decipher all the things that Fantastico had done behind the scenes (creating it's own random database names and passwords) before I could really investigate the problem. Plus, it looked like Fantistico was keeping some sort of history of my installations, which seemed to cause some conflicts with me deleting databases and starting the installation process over from scratch. That wasn't good. A HG tech rep suggested I try another installer (QuickInstall?) -- but I didn't like how this program used the WP default "admin" and a random-generated password (sent to my email address). Both of which I would have to change manually after the installation. That wasn't going to save me any time.

In the end, I decided it was worth my own peace of mind to take complete control of everything -- creating my own subdomains, setting up my own databases, installing my own WP via FTP.

Hopefully I get faster at it. :-)

[ronchalice]

SimpleScripts, which I've used for about 50+ sites, used to function only with BlueHost, but now you can use them on HostGator and just about any other host. I really like the way they keep up with program updates. In some cases, they've released an install script on the same day the software organization releases the update/upgrade. They've got a straightforward recovery process and it's easy to make changes if you rename an install directory or change a domain name.