This an article from March 09 by Kevin Vigneault of Viget that explores some techniques using Javascript to create more usable password inputs in forms. The ideas range from using a checkbox or button to temporarily show the password or changing type from text to password when the input is not in focus. Great ideas.

If you're interested in this topic, you might also want to check out Chris Dary's experiments with password masking.

http://www.viget.com/advance/password-fields-are-annoying/