When you first enter our website, for example, we use a test cookie to confirm your browser's ability to retain cookies. We won't have to ask you to identify yourself with each new page requested. We can also deliver to you customized information and store your settings more efficiently. Some of our cookies are long term. If they weren't, we'd need to ask you for certain information with each new session, such as your user name.
Some cookies do expire after a short period of time.
You are, of course, free to clear any and all cookies from your hard drive any time you wish. You certainly could set your browser to alert you each time a cookie is passed to your machine. However, we'd recommend that you turn that feature off, perhaps after using the site for a day or so with it on, once you've seen firsthand how we use this technology. Our use of cookies ultimately helps you have a better experience here. You might find it cumbersome to be alerted to each cookie you'll encounter.