Article: How Not to Use Cookies

I recently came across an article that explained cookies on a web developer end. I liked the basic explanation of the question “what is a cookie in my web browser?”, so I decided to share the article on this blog. This question usually comes up from time to time on campus. Kudos to informit.com for the wonderful explanation. Please read below.

~Angel Brady

How Not To Use Cookies

Last updated Dec 15, 2006.

Within one week’s time, we stumbled across two different sites using cookies the wrong way. While the attack vectors were a bit different, both sites trusted the cookie data to secure their users’ accounts. Therefore, this week we are going to spend some time discussing cookies, when they should be used, and what can happen if they are misused.

What are Cookies?

Before a web developer can understand the dangers associated with trusting cookies to store sensitive data, it is important to recognize what they are, and what they aren’t. Specifically, a cookie is just a small text file that is stored on your computer by a specific website. Cookies are not programs, they can’t read your personal data, and they don’t cause spam. In fact, cookies can be very helpful if used within the correct context.

Review: Blogs As Electronic Learning Journals

I recently read an article by Laurie Armstrong, Dr. Marsha Berry, and Reese Lamshed titled “Blogs as Electronic Learning Journals”. It was interesting to read about blog technology on a pedagogical end. I know when I am faced with a new piece of technology, I ask myself “What will I use this for? How will I use this technology?” These are the same questions that faculty members ask themselves when they here the word blog. How can I use this tool in my classroom? I was recently approached by a faculty member that wanted to use blogs as a type of journal. The faculty member already had an idea in her head how she wanted to use the tool. Hopefully an article like this will help her take into consideration all the aspects she will need to address when introducing blogs into her classroom. I recommend this article to anybody who either has an idea of how they want to use blogs in their class (since this article breaks it down, from design, to student reactions, to setting guidelines so the blogs are being properly used) or have no clue but would like to entertain the idea in the near future.

Here is a link to the article http://www.usq.edu.au/electpub/e-jist/docs/Vol7_No1/CurrentPractice/Blogs.htm

~Angel Brady