the best password is no password

The level of crap I have to go through these days just to be "secure" is all sorts of ridiculous, so much to the point where it gets in the way of trying to get simple things done.

For example, there are a few online accounts I have where I'm required to do this when I want to login:

1. Go to site
2. Click a "prove you're human" thing or solve a CAPTCHA puzzle
3. Enter my username
4. Enter my password
5. Click a "prove you're human" CAPTCHA thing or solve a CAPTCHA puzzle AGAIN
6. Enter a 6-digit code sent as a text message
7. Enter another 6-digit code using an authenticator app

...and then I'm finally in? MAYBE. This is assuming I'm not prompted to "remember the browser" and/or "check recent activity" before finally getting into my account.

That's SEVEN TO NINE STEPS just to login to one account.

Is that the most ridiculous? No. There is a different thing that's more ridiculous, even though simpler to access.

If I want to do the dirt simple thing of starting a 15 minute timer on my Casio WS1600H watch:

...it takes literally only 3 button presses to do this. Mode, Mode, Start. I don't have to "wake up" the watch, nor enter a password, nor launch an app. Whenever I want to start a 15 minute timer, it's 3 button presses and the timer starts.

If I want to do the same dirt simple thing of starting a 15 minute timer using my phone, it is required to:

1. Wake up the phone with a button press
2. Authenticate myself
3. Launch the Clock app and select the timer
4. Set the timer
5. Start the timer

The ridiculousness becomes obvious in that absolutely nobody should have to authenticate to a device just to start a stupid timer.

And just speaking of timers, there is in fact an even simpler timer...

...the dive watch.

Whether it's a cheap Casio MRW200H, Seiko Prospex, Citizen Promaster, a highfalutin Rolex Submariner, whatever, doesn't matter. You want a timer? Turn the bezel. NO button presses.

If for example I want a 10 minute timer, I move the bezel arrow to wherever the minute hand is. And that's it. Nothing more to set. The moment you move the bezel arrow to where the minute hand is pointing, the timer has started. When the minute hand reaches 10 on the bezel ring, 10 minutes have passed.

Is that the absolute easiest timer there is? I think so. The only reason I don't use it is because I like to hear beeps when a timer finishes.

A complicated authentication dance is required to get into pretty much any online account that contains your sensitive info in it. I don't like it, but understand the reasoning.

However, ANY authentication dance to do simple things is bad.

If I want to jot down a note, I use a memo pad and my favorite pen (I'm favoring Z-Grip retractable these days). If I need a timer, I use a watch. For navigation, I use a Garmin navigator like a DriveSmart 76. There are no logins, no passwords, no CAPTCHAs, no TOTPs, and no authentication dances for any of that stuff.

One more note about note taking: Yes, they're still trying to sell you on the idea of smart pens. I think the money is better spent on better pads, which pretty much means anything Moleskine. Nice pads, with nice soft covers, and dare I say they're luxurious? Still cheaper than anything for note taking that's "smart".

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Published 2025 Sep 18