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Basic information
Why do I need to register? What are the benefits?
As a registered user of developerWorks, you get easy access to other developers who share your interests, as well as the feeds, forums, blogs, groups, and bookmarks that you care about.
You can connect, interact, and collaborate with your fellow developers. You can update your personal profile, create a custom home page to organize and dynamically feed your interests, post to a forum, start a blog, comment on articles, start and join groups, bookmark and tag content and people of value to you, and much more.
As an added bonus, registering for developerWorks also automatically registers you for the web-based applications and content on other IBM web pages that require registration. On those other IBM web pages, you'll use the same IBM login ID (in the form of an email address) and password combination that you establish for developerWorks.
What is developerWorks registration?
developerWorks registration is a short and secure form where you choose the IBM login ID and password that you want to use whenever you sign in to the developerWorks website or any IBM.com web page that requires registration. On this form, you also choose the developerWorks display name that will identify you and your interactions to your peers in the developerWorks community.
I have previously registered with IBM and already have an IBM login ID and password. Do I need to register again with developerWorks?
No. But you do need a developerWorks display name in order to participate in the developerWorks community, so you will be guided to a page to select your display name. Your display name identifies you and your interactions to your peers in the developerWorks community.
What are the rules for the IBM login ID?
It must be in the format of a valid email address
It must be unique (not already in use)
It must be 80 characters or fewer
It must contain an '@' character that separates the user and domain values (example: lorem@ipsum.com)
It must contain at least two sub-domains separated by a '.' (example: ibm.com)
It can contain numbers (0-9), upper and lower case letters (A-Z, a-z), hyphens (-), underscores (_), and periods (.), !, #, $, %, &, ', +, /, =, ?, [, ], ^, `, {, |, }, ~
It cannot contain any space, backslash (\), colon (:), double-quote ("), semicolon (;), comma (,), less-than symbol (<), greater-than symbol (>), parentheses ("(", ")"), or asterisk (*)
Does the email address I provide as my IBM login ID have to be my primary email address?
No. You can use any valid email address as your IBM login ID.
Can I change my IBM login ID later?
No. You cannot change your IBM login ID once you select it during registration. It is the unique identifier for your developerWorks profile and IBM.com profile. As you update your password-protected information, your IBM login ID always remains constant. Even if you edit your password, or change your personal or work email address listed in your developerWorks profile, it won't affect the IBM login ID you selected during registration.
What if I forget my IBM login ID?
You can recover your IBM login ID by contacting the Worldwide IBM Registration Helpdesk.
Can I change my email address later?
Remember, after registration, you cannot change the email address that you registered as your IBM login ID; it remains constant. But you can change the email address that you list in your developerWorks profile (as your Contact information) at any time. (That email address in your developerWorks profile does not need to match the email address that is your IBM login ID.)
To change the email address that is your Contact information in your profile, sign in to developerWorks, and go to developerWorks: Profiles. Click the "My profile" tab and then the "General info" tab. Then click "EDIT" and open the "Contact information" section. There you can change your email address. When you're done, click the Update button.
What are the rules for a password?
It must contain only single-byte characters
Passwords are case sensitive (so when you sign in, you will have to enter your password exactly as you enter it here)
It must be between 8 and 31 characters in length
It can contain numbers (0-9), upper and lower case letters (A-Z, a-z), hyphens (-), underscore (_), and the @ character
It cannot contain any space or period (.)
It cannot contain your IBM login ID
When changing your password, it cannot contain the existing password
See additional password rules for Italian users, Fluor users, and State of Georgia users (including the GETS Portal) in the My IBM registration: Help and FAQ.
Can I change my password later?
Yes. To change your password, go to My IBM registration.
What if I forget my password?
To register for a new password, go to My IBM registration.
Why do I need a developerWorks display name?
Your developerWorks display name will identify you and your interactions to your peers in the developerWorks community. Your display name accompanies the content that you post on developerWorks.
What are the rules for a developerWorks display name?
It must be between 3 and 31 characters in length
It must be unique
It cannot contain any of the following 6 characters: comma (,), single quote ('), double quote ("), semicolon (;), less-than symbol (<), or greater-than symbol (>)
We recommend NOT using your email address as your display name for privacy reasons.
Sample display names are brenny, JeffJ, lindameyer, and Michael_OConnell
Can I change my developerWorks display name later?
Yes. To change your display name, sign in to developerWorks, and go to developerWorks: Profiles. Click the "My profile" tab and then the "General info" tab. Then click "EDIT" and you can change your display name under "Basic profile information." When you're done, click the Update button.
I've been asked to change my developerWorks display name. Why is this necessary?
Recent functional enhancements expanded our pool of display names, and yours is no longer unique. We regret having to ask some users to change their display name.
Can I change the country/region of residence during registration? Can I change it later?
Yes, you can change it during registration. Your country is pre-selected based on your IP address, and you can change it during registration. (This is a required field, so you cannot leave it blank.) Once you've registered, though, you cannot change your country/region for warranty purposes; it is a fixed value.
Even though you cannot change the country/region for your warranty, you can change your country/region for your personal or work address at any time. Sign in to developerWorks, and go to developerWorks: Profiles. Click the "My profile" tab and then the "General info" tab. Then click "EDIT" and open the "Contact information" section. There you can change your work address. When you're done, click the Update button. Changing your country/region for your personal or work address does not affect your country/region for your warranty; the latter is a fixed value.
Why is a language required?
Wherever possible, the language you select is used in future communications (mailings, email, telephone calls, etc.) between IBM and you. We may also use the language you specify to personalize your experience on developerWorks.
What is the purpose of the security question and answer?
The security question you choose, and the unique answer that you provide, can help us confirm your identity in the future. For example, if you forget your IBM login ID, you may be asked for your security question and answer.
Can I change my security question and/or answer later?
Yes. To provide a different security question or a different answer, go to My IBM registration.
What if I forget my answer to my security question?
Contact the Worldwide IBM Registration Helpdesk.
How can I report a problem I'm having while using the developerWorks registration form?
We're sorry for any difficulty you experience. Please report the problem in the Using developerWorks forum; we monitor that forum daily and will respond within 24 hours. Or, if you prefer, you can submit the problem on our Feedback form, or you can contact the Worldwide IBM Registration Helpdesk.
Privacy preferences
What are my privacy options?
On the developerWorks registration form, under "Privacy preferences," you can indicate whether you want to receive helpful notifications from IBM or an affiliate regarding IBM products, services, or other offerings.
To decline to receive email for this purpose, check the first box. To decline to receive phone calls or postal mail for this purpose, check the second box.
Can I change my privacy preferences later?
Yes. To change your privacy preferences, go to the IBM Registration page.
How will IBM use my personal information?
If, in your privacy preferences, you elect to receive email, phone calls, or postal mail, IBM or an affiliate may use information you provide about yourself, such as your name, email address, residence, or other personal data, to send you relevant information about IBM products, services, or other offerings. To learn more, read about IBM's general privacy practices on the web.
