i think i found the answer. you make up your own name, other than your e-mail address in order to identify yourself. i tried to do that on a couple of websites that i was attempting to register on, but somehow got shut out. on one site i wasn't able to use the name i chose, but they accepted my e-mail address. when i tried to resubmit a name they suggested i change my e-mail address. needless to say, i was confused. i got into yedda with no problem, so apparently i'm not the problem after all! thanks for your comments.