WHAT IS A COOKIE?

A cookie is a very small text file placed on your hard drive by a Web Page server. It is essentially your identification card, and cannot be executed as code or deliver viruses. It is uniquely yours and can only be read by the server that gave it to you.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A COOKIE?

A cookie helps you as an internet user and it helps us be more efficient.  A cookie performs the following functions:

• It tells the server that you returned to that Web page.
  
• It helps you by saving you time. When you order with us, a cookie helps us remember who you are.  Next time you return, we know to show you the information you requested. Or, when you register for another product or service, all you need to do is type in your e-mail address and a password. We then fill in any questions you've already answered and store your information for future orders.
  
• It helps us by allowing us to be more efficient.  We can learn what information is important to our visitors, and what isn't. We can discard Web pages you don't use, and focus our efforts on information you need.

CAN I CONTROL WHICH COOKIES I WANT TO ACCEPT?

Absolutely!  You can order your browser to accept all cookies or to alert you every time a cookie is offered. Then you can decide whether to accept one or not.  With newer browsers, you can also view which cookies you have accepted and rejected.  For specific instructions on how to do these things with your browser, see your the section on your browser in the How to enable cookies section at the bottom of this page.

CAN I SEE THE "CODE" IN THE COOKIE?

Absolutely!  Just click on a cookie to open it. They are stored in a special folder on your computer depending upon which browser you use.  You'll see a short string of text and numbers. The numbers are your identification card, which can only be seen by the server that gave you the cookie.

CONCLUSION

Cookies are small bits of information that allow us to identify you on this visit and future visits.  This helps us streamline the order process for you in the future and provide you with the best possible shopping experience.  Cookies can also help us protect your privacy by ensuring you are who you say you are when you return to our site in the future.

Cookies are a widely used technology and are used by some of the largest vendors on the internet!  Companies that use cookies to enhance their sites include Amazon.com®, Microsoft®, eBay®, Google®, Yahoo!® and many, many more.

Cookies are only text, and cannot sacrifice your privacy or harm your computer like a virus would.

MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER 6.0+

• Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
• Click on the "Privacy" tab.
• To enable:
  • Click the "Default" button (or manually slide the bar down to "Medium") under "Settings".
• To disable:
  • Manually slide the bar up to "Block All Cookies" under "Settings".
• Click "OK".

MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER 5.x

• Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
• Click on the "Security" tab.
• Click the "Custom Level" button.
• Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
• To enable:
  • Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
  • Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
• To disable:
  • Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Disable".
  • Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Disable".
• Click "OK".

• Select "Internet Options" from the View menu.
• Click on the "Advanced" tab.
• Scroll down to find "Cookies" within the "Security" section.
• To enable:
  • Select "Always accept cookies".
• To disable:
  • Select "Never accpet cookies".
• Click "OK".

FIREFOX 1.0

• Select "Options" from the Tools menu.
• Select "Privacy" in the list on the left.
• Expand the "Cookies" node in the right panel.
• To enable:
  • Check "Enable cookies".
• To disable"
  • Uncheck "Enable cookies".
• Click "OK".

NETSCAPE 7.1/MOZILLA 5.0

NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR/COMMUNICATOR 4.x

• Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu.
• Find the "Cookies" section in the "Advanced" category.
• To enable:
  • Select "Accept all cookies" (or "Enable all cookies").
• To disable:
  • Deselect "Accept all cookies" (or "Enable all cookies").
• Click "OK".