Caucus and Cookies

What are cookies?  The normal log-in method for Caucus requires "cookies".  A cookie is information that a Web site puts on your computer so that it can remember something about you at a later time.  (More technically, it is information for future use that is stored by the server on the client side of a client/server communication.)  Typically, a cookie records your preferences when using a particular site.  (See a detailed definition of cookies for more information.)

Transient cookies.  Caucus uses "transient" or "session" cookies to keep track of who you are once you log in.  These cookies are not written to your hard disk, and disappear when you close your browser.

Enabling cookies.  The exact steps for disabling and enabling cookies change wildly from browser to browser and version to version.  We've put some (frequently outdated) instructions below.  But your best bet is probably to google the name (and version!) of your browser, with the phrase "enable cookies".

For example, try this link: www.google.com/?q="firefox 7" "enable cookies".

If you have Internet Explorer 6:

  1. On the toolbar, click on "Tools", then "Internet Options".
  2. Click on the "Privacy" tab.
  3. Click on "Advanced".
  4. Make sure "Override Automatic cookie handling" is checked.
  5. Check "Always allow session cookies".
  6. Click "OK", and "OK".

If you have Internet Explorer 5:

  1. On the toolbar, click on "Tools", then "Internet Options".
  2. Click on the "Security" tab.
  3. Click on "custom level".
  4. Scroll down to "cookies", and under "Allow per-session cookies", click "Enable".
  5. Click "OK", "Yes", and "OK".

If you have Netscape or Mozilla:

  1. On the toolbar, click on "Edit", then "Preferences".
  2. Click on the little tab next to "Privacy and Security".
  3. Click on "cookies".
  4. Click on "enable cookies for the originating web site only".
  5. Click on "OK".

If for some reason you absolutely cannot use cookies, the site administrator for your Caucus site may be able to turn on an alternate login method.  Contact your site administrator and ask about "server-based login" and the "caucus_sb.html" page.