Autodesk Labs: To log in or not to log in - a follow up

In a previous blog posting, I posed the question about requiring login to be able to download technologies from Autodesk Labs. The quandary is that we want to know who downloaded what, so we can follow up with you, but we do not want to turn people away who loathe registration. Some of you thought it was a dynamite idea, one thought it was bit dicey, while still others thought it might hurt. Here's what you said:

	Having to login to download a utility would be fine; however, if you place [all of] your information behind a login, it would greatly decrease your exposure to blogs and news.
	I currently have multiple Autodesk passwords so a Labs one wouldn't bother me but it would be great if the passwords could be unified. For example it would be great if I am already logged into the subscription page not to have to re log into Labs or to the AU page or the area.
	I think sign in is a good tool for your use. I would welcome it. Updates and additional information would be to our benefit. A short explanation at the sign up screen to the "why’s and what for’s" would go a long way in providing comfort and understanding to the signee.
	Most people would be willing to login to download but not to read about a project.
	@scottsh115 - To answer your login question, you are heading in the right direction.
	It seems like there should be a middle road. If you aren’t logged in, splash up as screen saying, "Please log in for reasons A, B, and C." with a link to log in. After you log in you’re taken to the file. On the splash screen, include a "No, Thank You" button to allow you to just go to the page where you will download the file. This seems better than both alternatives.
	I don't see a huge problem in asking people to log on to download stuff. It will introduce a barrier and reduce participation, but how much is anybody's guess.
	Including a required log in puts up a barrier that some people just won’t want to deal with. I mean, yet another username and password to deal with . I’ve made so many duplicate user accounts on so many sites that have required logins.
	It is often easier to just fill out junk info on a throwaway email account (then it is only slightly more annoying than the repeated form filling out like you have now). This goes doubly when there is a security question you have to remember as well.
	The Autodesk Single Sign-on login involves logging in again, and again, and again, and again... Very annoying, and a definite disincentive to using any site infected with it.

Thank you fro providing this feedback. We will consider this as we move forward.