Like many websites, especially those using passwords or other access-control, the Harley Email Digest uses a "browser cookie" to remember your logon information during your visiting session.

A "browser cookie" takes information I provide from my server, temporarily stores it in your web browser, and then returns that information whenever my server requests it. It does not ever return other information from your system or configuration, only the information I originally gave it.

In the HED's specific situation, the cookie contains your password/pin in a specially encoded format. No more, no less.

The reason why a cookie is useful on this website is that only some of the webpages require your password, while others are for the general public. As you jump and visit between the two sets of pages you would constantly have to type-in your password/pin whenever you return to a protected area. The cookie allows me to "remember" it for you and avoid the need for typing it many times.

The "browser cookie" is given a lifespan of approximately 2 hours. If you are idle for more than this time, the cookie crumbles and then you would need to retype your password for protected web pages.

Whenever you visit a protected webpage during the cookie's lifespan, the cookie is granted a renewed life extension of the original time. So, while you are actively visiting, the cookie doesn't quit.

Similar to being idle is that you spend a lot of time outside of the protected webpages in the public areas. You must visit a protected "subscribers only" type webpage or service within the lifespan of the cookie to ensure its continued life.

©opyright 2000 by harley-request (at) the-hed.net