| Error type: "Cookie"
It appears that either your browser does not support "cookies" or you have disabled them. You will need to enable the "cookie option" in your browser to access the MACPA Web site.
[Why does MACPA use cookies?] [What is a "cookie?"] [How do I set my cookies?]
Why does MACPA use cookies?
It can be quite frustrating to encounter the "cookie error" message while trying to visit the MACPA Web site and we apologize for this inconvenience. However, cookies allow us to maintain security on the Web site while protecting the privacy of our members and visitors. Here's why MACPA uses cookies.
When we designed the Web site, we chose to use a form of security that was efficient -- from a maintenance and tracking standpoint -- and a system that our Members could use with ease. And as with any major undertaking, cost was also a consideration. We needed to design a security system that we could also maintain "in-house" to use our available resources. We needed a way to identify our visitors--either as "members" or the "public"-- and the most cost-effective way to do this, was to incorporate cookies. We did not incorporate cookies to do "mass marketing" as most consumer sites do. Our intentions were to build a Web site that was beneficial to our members and the community. Cookies enable us to do this.
Since the skills of Internet users run the gamut from beginner to advanced, we needed to make sure our system was easy enough for the beginner and still satisfied the skills of the advanced user. We implemented security that protects the privacy of members and their information, such as Member Profiles and CPE Transcripts, but also provided flexibility with our internal database. Information between the MACPA database and Web site is exchanged 24 hours a day. Cookies help these two mediums to communicate by identifying our visitors as members, and individually, as the public. This way, we can cater to the individual's needs and make sure our information is relevant to their interest areas and education. It also makes registration for courses easier for Members who log into the Web site. Member information is "pre-filled" into the online registration forms, making registering for a course as easy as one mouse-click.
We incorporated "help" features so that members could access their accounts 24 hours a day--even if they forget their login. We gave members options on how to log in---they can choose whether or not to have the Web site "remember" their user name and password. All of these advantages have been accomplished by using a programming language that depends on cookies to identify users and save their login information (if they choose to do so). We do not use cookies to "sell" to our members, but rather to help build the professional profiles of individuals so we can structure MACPA around what members need and also what the public needs from our members.
What is a cookie?
A "cookie" is the term used to describe the piece of "data" that is left on your computer's hard drive after visiting a web site. Not all web sites use this "data cookie" but most do to allow visitors to create preferences according to their interests.
The cookie is also used to store login information so that the next time a user visits the web site, the web site will call the cookie and match the stored password with the user name for access privileges. Therefore, in most instances, if the user has chosen "remember my password" during the registration process, the user will not have to log in again.
Users can turn off their cookies or delete them as they see fit but they will have to log in again when visiting sites. Also, if the cookies are turned off, some web sites will deny access to the site.
If you need additional help, please contact the MACPA webmaster@macpa.org.
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