def register
        username = request[ 'username' ]
        realname = request[ 'realname' ]
        encrypted_password = Digest::SHA1.hexdigest( request[ 'password' ] || '' )

        @new_user = $dbh.new_object(
            'Users',
            {
                :username => username,
                :realname => realname,
                :encrypted_password => encrypted_password,
            }
        )
    end