.htaccess question

[rishi]

I am using .htaccess file and currently only for password protection. I have two kinds of users, normal and power users and the only disctinction is based on their username. I want to provide special priviliges to the power users and need to identify them. If a power user logs in, several invisible tags will become visible and they will be able to do more.
If anyone has a better idea, I am keen to know it.

[victordb]

For easier user management try creating a php script to do the stuff for you rather than using .htaccess.