Even if you're running Win98SE for which there is virtually no support, if you have a fairly recent Internet Explorer you should be aware that the "Security Settings" changed some time ago. "Critical updates" to IE should be available regardless of what OS you're using.

The same "level" of security set in the browser that used to accept cookies from nearly anybody may now "bounce" cookies. If you ask for a cookie (i.e. if you log in), it may be entered as a "session cookie" that's good as long as you're on the site, but is erased as soon as you leave.

If you are using Internet Explorer, you need to click on Tools, then on Internet Options, Click the Privacy tab, click the "Sites" button, type mudcat.org in the little box at the top and click "Allow." That will let IE accept and keep a mudcat cookie.

If you're using another browser, there probably is a similar setting but you're on your own for finding it.

After you seem to have been logged in, it is a good idea to hit the "Refresh" button, either the one at the top of the thread index page or the one on your browser to make sure that you have a "new-after-login page" and not an old one from your own temp files - and that you actually are logged in.

John