Looking for a login script

[Serious_Practitioner]

(Also posted to alt.php on 16 Aug 07)

Good day -

I am looking for a log-in script that I can use for a project. I'm pretty
inexperienced but I want to teach myself some PHP. The project that I've
chosen will be more useful and easier to manage if I have a log-in area. But
I don't think that I can create such a script by myself.

So I'd appreciate opinions on something suitable - the site won't be huge
and wont have a huge number of users, I don't think. I am willing to pay for
a good package but free is, of course, good as well if the script is proven.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Steve E.