Accepting Cookies
Why does the calculator require me to accept cookies?
The Calculator will temporarily store your scenario data while you are creating new scenarios and comparing plans during a user session.
This means the system can restore your saved scenarios if your user session times out.
A time-out occurs when you stop interacting with the system for a certain length of time.
Because the system does not collect any personal information about you, the only way it can re-connect your browser to your scenario data after a time out is by storing a temporary first-party cookie on your computer.
This cookie does not contain information that identifies you, personally (such as name, address, etc.)
It contains only a Session Identification Number that the Calculator can use to determine which stored scenario data to show you when you start interacting with it again after a time out.
The cookie is temporary
If you close your browser window, or click a "Cancel" or "Done" button, the system assumes you are done working with the calculator and will delete the cookie.
The next time you click the Use Calculator link, you will be starting over, and none of your temporarily stored scenarios will be available to you.
How do I set my browser to accept cookies?
In Microsoft Internet Explorer
In most versions of the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser, setting the browser to accept cookies is done using the "Privacy" tab in the "Internet Options" dialog.
Tools >> Internet Options >> Privacy Tab
In Internet Explorer 6, for example, the calculator will work just fine on all privacy settings except "High". This setting blocks all cookies. If your browser's privacy setting is set to "High", the Calculator won't work properly.
In other browsers
Most browsers have some way to configure to handle cookies. Look for a privacy setting or accept cookies menu option.
Select any option that accepts "first-party" cookies that don't contain any identifying information.
Don't forget to reset
If you normally have your privacy setting set to block all cookies, make sure you re-set it after you're done using the Calculator.
Last updated Sep. 27, 2011