But you "own" your database. Your ISP or
parent organization SHOULD
give you access to it somehow, even though I agree they should NOT
give you access to the database directories.
Another approach once you have access to the database: put in an email
address for the user, then go back to MediaWiki and press the "mail be
a password" button.
it's not that simple...it's housed in a directory belonging to someone
else (long story!). It is being resolved but there are 'issues'...(not
unreasonable ones).
In fact i've done what i needed through their admin interface. But i
thought this would give me access to the actual php files, so I've
clearly got confused about the structure of this thing...i'm only a
mortal university lecturer...