MSNBC and cookies

In attempting to check out different Net media coverage of TWA 800, it
appears the msnbc.com site won't let you in without a cookie.  Repeated
cookie cancels with Navigator 3.0 drop you into an indigestive loop of the
server continuing to try to force feed you cookies.  When you finally click
OK, you get in.

Am I spacing, or is this the first site anyone's stumbled on that requires a
cookie for access?  I've never been shut out of a site for canceling a
cookie.  The first cookie request does have a user ID field.  If the server
(or client) isn't misbehaving, this seems like a wee bit of a privacy issue.

I tried accessing the page (http://www.msnbc.com) on 7/18/96 around 9:15 PM
PDT.  Anyone care to confirm this.

Joel

Joel McNamara writes:

: In attempting to check out different Net media coverage of TWA 800, it
: appears the msnbc.com site won't let you in without a cookie.  Repeated
: cookie cancels with Navigator 3.0 drop you into an indigestive loop of the
: server continuing to try to force feed you cookies.  When you finally click
: OK, you get in.
: 
: Am I spacing, or is this the first site anyone's stumbled on that requires a
: cookie for access?  I've never been shut out of a site for canceling a
: cookie.  The first cookie request does have a user ID field.  If the server
: (or client) isn't misbehaving, this seems like a wee bit of a privacy issue.
: 
: I tried accessing the page (http://www.msnbc.com) on 7/18/96 around 9:15 PM
: PDT.  Anyone care to confirm this.

I can confirm it.  I never gave them the cookie.  Had one hell of a
job backing out.  I don't know what would have happened if I had set
my cookies file to be read only.

It's a nuisance, but I suppose there is no reason that a commercial
service can't do such a thing.  But what happens when one tries to
access it with Lynx?

I too am using Navigator 3.0 (the new beta with strong crypto)--I
wonder if people who use MS's explorer or whatever it is called are
faced with the same problems?

--
Peter D. Junger--Case Western Reserve University Law School--Cleveland, OH
Internet:  junger@pdj2-ra.f-remote.cwru.edu    junger@samsara.law.cwru.edu

>>>>> "Peter" == Peter D Junger <junger@pdj2-ra.F-REMOTE.CWRU.Edu> writes:
 (About accessing http://www.msnbc.com/ )
Peter> I can confirm it.  I never gave them the cookie.  Had one hell of a
Peter> job backing out.  I don't know what would have happened if I had set
Peter> my cookies file to be read only.

Peter> It's a nuisance, but I suppose there is no reason that a
Peter> commercial service can't do such a thing.  But what happens
Peter> when one tries to access it with Lynx?

You lose!

Typical Microsoft arrogance:
                                                               Welcome to MSNBC


                              Welcome to MSNBC

                                   [LINK]

















http://www.msnbc.com/default.asp?


(and the links don't work of course).

Since Lynx is the only browser blind^H^H^H^H^Hvisually challenged
people can use, failure to make a site readable with Lynx is a clear
case of discrimination.
-- 
steve@miranova.com baur
Unsolicited commercial e-mail will be proofread for $250/hour.
Andrea Seastrand: For your vote on the Telecom bill, I will vote for anyone
except you in November.

Peter:

On Fri, 19 Jul 1996, Peter D. Junger wrote:

> : I tried accessing the page (http://www.msnbc.com) on 7/18/96 around 9:15 PM
>  But what happens when one tries to access it with Lynx?

	What page?   I just tried it, and all I saw I was
	"Wwelcome to MSNBC" and "[LINK]".

	Tried to link, and found myself back on the same screen.
	
	The only thing that isn't usual for the site, in comparison
	to the stuff that comes out of Redmond, is a high sticker price.

        xan

        jonathon
        grafolog@netcom.com



	AOL coasters are unique, and colourful.  
		Collect the entire set.

I find that MSNBC is now working OK without cookies. I tried off and on
during the day today (Friday) and last night and it didn't work, but it
is working OK now.  I can get in with lynx or with my cookie-blocked
Netscape.  I sent them a nasty letter this afternoon complaining about it
so either that may have helped or it is obsolete.  Maybe it was just a
glitch?

Hal

> 
> It's a nuisance, but I suppose there is no reason that a commercial
> service can't do such a thing.  But what happens when one tries to
> access it with Lynx?
> --
> Peter D. Junger--Case Western Reserve University Law School--Cleveland, OH

Err...

W/ Lynx it's a dead-end. You get nowhere.


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