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FAQ - Registration... Cookies?
(Question proposed by Prof Willie B.)
Cookies are attached to the users machine. (Actually their browser.) Whenever a registered user logs on, the site searches your browser's 'cookie file' and tries to see if you've been here before. If you're a registered user and decide to post a message, your browser should tell the site your username and password information. Sometimes cookie files get lost or corrupted and you'll need to type your info back in (not re-register, just re-log in your username and password.) I've already had a few times when the site asked for my info again. However, once I typed my name and password in, I didn't have to do it again for the entire time I was logged in.
I haven't tried it, but I assume that would be the case if you denied the cookie at registration. You'd then need to type your info in each time you logged into the site, (to post) but only once each time. I believe that will be the case for internet cafe people. This is still much better than typing in your info every time you posted or replied to a message.
If you only use one machine or MOSTLY use one machine, there's no harm in accepting the cookie. If you are only using internet cafes, I'd deny the cookie at registration and type it in each time you log into the site to post.
Plus, this isn't internet BANKING. The worst case scenario is someone logs into the site (physically using your computer) and posts a message under your name. If that happens I simply delete the message and you go ahead and get a new username. (And you stop leaving your computer laying around) No biggie.
The site administrator (Jim) has no access to your cookies. It's all automatic and all cookies are physically stored on YOUR hard drive as a very small text file (about 25 characters of text.) The forum system checks your machine only when you enter the site.
Read the Forum FAQ (there's a link in the upper right area of each page on this site) for more info or go right to the http://www.vbulletin.com web site and poke around there. (vBulletin is the place that built the system)
--Jim
Hi Jim, should people who log on at cafe's and friends computers (ie. don't have their own), use the cookie facility, especially when registering? Is the cookie attached to the machine or the user's password?
I haven't tried it, but I assume that would be the case if you denied the cookie at registration. You'd then need to type your info in each time you logged into the site, (to post) but only once each time. I believe that will be the case for internet cafe people. This is still much better than typing in your info every time you posted or replied to a message.
If you only use one machine or MOSTLY use one machine, there's no harm in accepting the cookie. If you are only using internet cafes, I'd deny the cookie at registration and type it in each time you log into the site to post.
Plus, this isn't internet BANKING. The worst case scenario is someone logs into the site (physically using your computer) and posts a message under your name. If that happens I simply delete the message and you go ahead and get a new username. (And you stop leaving your computer laying around) No biggie.
The site administrator (Jim) has no access to your cookies. It's all automatic and all cookies are physically stored on YOUR hard drive as a very small text file (about 25 characters of text.) The forum system checks your machine only when you enter the site.
Read the Forum FAQ (there's a link in the upper right area of each page on this site) for more info or go right to the http://www.vbulletin.com web site and poke around there. (vBulletin is the place that built the system)
--Jim
