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Microsoft tosses a no hitter
Friday, September 14, 2007
by BillMartin
A number of people are having problems seeing the schedules, scores and stats in our database. The problem is not on the website but rather the settings in their browser.

Database servers, such as those we use on the CIBA/ABIC site, must be able to communicate back and forth between the site and your computer as you click from one data presentation to another. The server needs to maintain connection with your computer throughout your visit or session. To do that, the server uses "session cookies".

Microsoft has changed its default settings for Internet Explorer with session cookies turned off, just the opposite of earlier editions and opposite from all other browsers on the market. With no session cookies, you cannot access any of our stats information or any other database for that matter. In effect, Microsoft has tossed us a no hitter as people cannot hit our site for details.

The simple fix is to change your browser settings to allow session cookies:

Click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options.
Click the Privacy tab at the top of the window.
Make sure that the slider is set at a level not higher than Medium.
The bottom of the slider section of the Security window contains several buttons. Click on the one marked Advanced.
In the new window under the Cookies section, check the box labeled "Override automatic cookie handling".
Now you will see the other settings that are enabled and can be configured.
Under the First-party Cookies section, click the Accept button.
Under the Third-party Cookies section, click on the Block button.
Check the box labeled "Always allow session cookies."
Click on OK.
Click on OK.

Security experts would recommend an even better solution. They would suggest you don't use Internet Explorer at all. For security reasons, many experts suggest two other browsers, both of which are free. Apple offers a Windows version of its Safari and Firefox is a popular open source browser. The folks who produce Firefox also have a companion email program (Thunderbird) which replaces Microsoft Outlook.

So, this website is alive and well. Its sophisticated database of schedules, scores, stats and media reporting components are all working and working well. If you want to see them, you must have a browser that allows session cookies.

Just for the record, this site was built and is maintained on a Mac. We were not immediately aware of the viewing problems associated with Microsoft browsers.

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