Cookies - What They Are
HTTP is, by design, a stateless protocol. Each HTTP transaction occurs independent of any previous or future transaction. Each transaction (session) consists of these steps:
1) user connects to a HTTP server, making a request for a web page (or other data)
2) server acknowledges request, responds with web page (or other data)
3) transaction is terminated (disconnects)There is no way for the server to “relate” transactions to each other. No way for the server to know there was a previous transaction with a particular client nor what happened if there was. Hence, the concept of stateless.
Problems using Cookies
The most obvious problem relying on cookies is a user completely disabling them. If your web page relies on them, it won’t work correctly. The best you can do in this circumstance is detect that cookies are disabled and then redirect to another page that doesn’t rely on a cookie.
YVOD uses cookies so we can relate one page to the next. When you submit a form and we reply with a “thank you” page, we use a cookie to fill in the information you sent us. When you add something to your shopping cart, we use a cookie to allow you to continue shopping. Anything that requires personalized information from us requires a cookie.
YVOD recognizes that cookies can be abused. We can create non-cookie solutions, but everyone using them will receive the exact same response to enquiries. Almost all websites that offer user accounts require cookies to be enabled because without them, it is very difficult to ensure that private information is returned to the correct browser. Log into your Gmail, Yahoo or bank account and you will need to have cookies enabled.
Cookies can be your friend… just make sure you only eat the ones from friends (ie: only websites you navigate to).