fyi, I implemented a User Sign In Module this morning that will be included in the next release (coming soon) and will allow you to add the sign in control to the home page. However, if you use SSL to secure authentication then you would need to use SSL on the home page. It is really better from a security practice point of view to use a separate page for login and not have other stuff on the page and to always use SSL for secure data such as login credentials.