Cookies? Yes, please.

As a registered old phart, I am constantly surprised at the way people get their knickers in a knot about cookies, sharing social network info and the like.

Let’s go back to the good old days.

You went to the Book store and bought a book. The nice lady there helped you, took your money and bid you a speedy return. When you did return, she welcomed you warmly and suggested you look at the new book by the same author. You looked at it but it was an double novel from ten years ago.

But still, you were pleased that she recognized you, remembered what you bought, and showed you something new along those lines.

Fast forward to today.

You go to Amazon dot com, buy your book and return to your Klondike game.

Next time you go to the web site you are recognized, greeted, and shown some books along the same lines of your past purchases. In all respects except for the drive and flirting with the clerk, it is the same scenario.

Why is this a bad thing? Cookies are how it happens. Delete your cookies and you have to start over each time you shop at the same site.

Now Facebook is taking it to a new level. If you have listed some favorite tunes on Facebook, and then visit Pandora. Your favorite artists are offered up. Facebook will be sharing your information with other sites so that they might tailor-make your visit experience.

Is this a bad thing? Have they gone too far?

If you feel it is, then you have an option to opt out and/or adjust your Facebook privacy settings.

I assume it’s all done with cookies only, and not a large file with user-sensitive information. In any case, on Facebook, go to . . .
Account/Privacy Settings/Applications and Websites and unclick the ‘Allow’ box.