Network passwords: preferred list vs. keychain

[EricNau]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I cannot understand why I have to enter my WAP password in the Preferred Networks list and my keychain. ...Shouldn't once be enough?

Is there a reason for this, or is it just to annoy me?

Thanks for any input.

 

[mad jew]

Not quite sure what you mean, mate.

Assuming you're talking about wireless networks, I enter the password once when I first join the network and then don't have to enter it again. Are you constantly having to enter it, or just the two times?

 

[EricNau]

I have to enter it twice:

Once when adding my wireless network to the "Preferred Networks" list (in Network Preferences) and a second time when I select my wireless network from the airport menu for the first time (and from there I select "Remember password in my keychain").

...It just seems like I should only have to enter it once.
(It's been awhile, but I believe this is the case with Windows.)

 

[mad jew]

Err, I reckon if you do it the other way 'round you'll only have to enter it once. You're saving to the Keychain with the second step. Make that step first and Keychain'll have the password already stored for ya.

 

[EricNau]

Err, I reckon if you do it the other way 'round you'll only have to enter it once. You're saving to the Keychain with the second step. Make that step first and Keychain'll have the password already stored for ya.

You're right, it would assuming you have "Automatically add new networks to the preferred networks list" checked in Network Preferences (which, for some reason, I did not).

I guess it's always bothered me that it can't work both ways. ...It seems like adding it to the Preferred Networks list should automatically add the password to the Keychain as well, but I guess that is not the case.

Oh well, maybe Leopard will be able to read my mind.

Thanks for the help.

 

[mad jew]

Haha, no worries mate. How often are you adding new networks anyway? Oh, and it'd be nice to see the Add To Keychain option bandied about more liberally.

 

[EricNau]

Haha, no worries mate. How often are you adding new networks anyway?

Actually, not that often (maybe once every month between my different computers), but I have a rather long, random password and it's become quite a pain. ...And I can never remember where I have the password written down!

Oh, and it'd be nice to see the Add To Keychain option bandied about more liberally.

Ya, that would be nice.


I guess my thoughts on this subject could be summarized as, "If my computer has to store the Preferred Networks' passwords somewhere, why doesn't it store them in Keychain? Isn't that what it's for?"