Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 12:17:44 -0500

From: Gareth Branwyn GarethB2[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM

Subject: Re: Cookies



Do you mean the downloaded copies of Telnet and what not that Web sites

send you automatically--or something else?



Wayne Glowka



Cookies are preference files that a website keeps on *your* computer. For

instance, if you set up an account on the New York Times site, the password

that you've asked them to remember is stored on your end via a cookie. If you

define a series of preferences on a customizable website, all that info lives

in a cookie file. Cookies have been somewhat controversial. Users were

concerned in the beginning that other websites might be able to steal your

cookies and learn things about your online haunts and viewing habits. After

many articles and a concerted effort on the part of sites that use cookies to

calm people's fears, this practice has continued (and likely increased). If

you want to see how ubiquitous cookies are, there's a preference in Navigator

(and I assume Explorer) that asks your permission before storing any cookies.

You'll quickly become tired of hitting the "OK" button.



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