Background
This search system uses MetaStar Gateway product from Blue Angel Technologies

Why Does MetaStar Use Cookies
MetaStar is a multi-user application that permits any number of simultaneous users to access information from their Web browser. In order to keep track of what function a user is performing in the system at any particular time, the system assigns a unique identification number for each user. This is referred to as a session ID. Cookies are used to store the session ID.

How is the Cookie Used
Cookies are used to store a unique session ID to keep track of user interactions with the system at any particular time. As one might expect, when there are 50 or 100 users on the system at the same time all performing simultaneous operations, it is imperative that a unique ID is appended to each user operation so that the system can respond with the right information to the right user. The cookie performs this function. It is created and stored on the users machine the first time a user receives a response from the server.

What Information is Stored in Cookies
The information that MetaStar stores in a cookie is a session ID. The session ID is a unique number comprised of two segments: 1) a counter, and 2) the current time in milliseconds since epoch time. These segments are separated by a colon. Thus, the cookie that MetaStar creates and stores looks as follows:

• GatewayID 1:942867009983
• DataEntryID 20:943291186893

Where is the Cookie Stored
The cookies are stored on the user's computer in a file located as defined in the user's browser configuration. Typically that is in the following directories (but may vary depending on user configurations):

• Netscape: C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\default
• Microsoft: C:\WINDOWS\Cookies

What Happens if the User Removes the Cookie
If the user removes the cookie once a session with MetaStar is complete, there is no effect. MetaStar is designed to use a cookie if one exists. Each time the user interfaces to a MetaStar powered system anew, a session is started and the system creates a new cookie for storing session information. If the user removes the cookie while they have an active session with MetaStar, the system will be unable to process subsequent requests from the user.

Does the Cookie in Any Way Identify an Individual
The cookie has no information associated with an individual user, their Internet address or any other personal information. The data stored by MetaStar in a cookie is the time and a unique number noted above.