having to sign in ...

[bluewillow]

William, I am having to sign in on a regular basis. How can i correct my problem?

thanks
bw

[williamtully]

William, I am having to sign in on a regular basis. How can i correct my problem?

Is this in the last couple weeks while the site has been acting up, or is this every single time you visit the forums?

In the last while we have been experiencing server issues which appear to be eating cookies... Here, let me explain:

Logins to websites are handled by cookies. So what's a cookie right? Well, in ultra-simplistic terms, think of it like an Oreo cookie. When you arrive to the site and login, your computer and our server take an Oreo, split it in half - we give you the top piece, and we keep the bottom. Now, when you come back tomorrow, our server asks your computer if you still have the half we gave you. It checks to see if the icing still matches what we have, and if it does, then you don't need to login again. Now, if we have a server issue and it eats the cookies on our end, then there is nothing to match up and we have to split a new one (aka. you need to login again). Similarly, if your browser is set to eat them when you leave, or an internet security program you have installed eats them before you come back then you need a new cookie.

So, between random server challenges (which happen), and potential settings on a users computer, these things can be eaten frequently which requires frequent logins. When people are required to login every single time they visit, generally that is a sign that there is a setting on that computer that is eating the cookies too frequently and is not hanging onto them for an extended period of time.

Hope that helped shed some light on it.

[Smitty]

I was always told that saving your cookies was a bad thing.wrong people could get a hold of them and could cause trouble for you puter. I have mine set to toss my cookies when I shut down internet but firefox saves all my log in info and it's as easy as one click when I arrive and I'm on my way again

[bluewillow]

It does get confusing William especially when I have no technical skills. I did have to sign in today ... its a hit and miss sorta thing. Thank you for your explanation too .... now I am some wiser.

bw

[williamtully]

I was always told that saving your cookies was a bad thing.wrong people could get a hold of them and could cause trouble for you puter. I have mine set to toss my cookies when I shut down internet but firefox saves all my log in info and it's as easy as one click when I arrive and I'm on my way again

Yes, technically baddies could do something with them, however, it is extremely unlikely as I have a better chance of winning the lottery than someone compromising my cookies and running amok.. However, in light of not keeping them, using something like firefox is always a great alternative and you're right, it's as easy as one click to login again.

Cheers,

[Smitty]

and here I was hoping that I may have a chance of winning the lottery
thanks for the puter lesson William. you make it easy for this puter illiterate to understand

[MareE]

Ditto what Smitty said, William! Thanks kindly for your excellent Cookies 101. But did you have to use an Oreo cookie to illustrate? I wouldn't be drooling on keyboard now if you'd used a Milkbone®. j/k Have a great day!

MareE;o}

[Eeyore]

Love that explanation! It makes a whole lot of sense and it's easy to understand.

[williamtully]

Love that explanation! It makes a whole lot of sense and it's easy to understand.

I've decided that the moment I figure out how to get paid ridiculous amounts of money for it, I'm quitting my job and am becoming a professional analogy creator. It would be like getting paid to constantly win the lottery.

[Eeyore]

Then you could interpret legelese for people.