Remember secure passwords: Create a Password Pattern

Why would you not use something like modified OPLOP?

You generate lots of passwords from one secure password. This way you can replicate it across password managers, and have a back up if something catastrophically screws up. The best combo of Human friendly and hacker resistant.

The main reason I see is that sometimes you need to type the password out of your head (ex: logging in to your workstation). Couldn't find a better method than actually remembering the password in these cases.

I always use patterns for non-core services. It works well except when there are annoying rules for passwords that don't match my pattern. However those are edge cases that force me to either remember my password or I don't use their service.

For my core passwords, such as workstations, email and servers, I still use a pattern but I tend to just remember those and therefore don't have problems when I need to change. For my work password I start it with number of months since I joined the company, and this follows along with the requirement to change my password each month.

Biggest problem is websites which screw up your pattern.

Like the mandatory eBay password reset from the other day.