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EVERY WEBSITE YOU visit will mention the same thing upon arriving. It will tell you it’s using cookies, you click ok to get rid of the banner ad that popped up and you go on your merry way.
For the most part, they don’t impact you in any significant way, but it’s worth explaining what exactly they are and how far they can reach.
So what are cookies?
Cookies are a site’s way of tracking your movements while visiting and remembering specific details about it. They come in the form of small text files, with ID tags stored in your browser’s directory for future reference.
One site can have multiple cookies, many from sites you haven’t or will not visit like ad sites, that will be saved on your browser for future reference.
The type of cookie saved is either temporary or permanent. The temporary cookies only remain while you’re still on the site. When you leave, they disappear. Permanent cookies stay saved onto your browser for the next time you log in.
So how much information do they save?
Not a whole lot. As mentioned, cookies are small text files that save three main details: the name of the server it was sent from, how long it lasts and a randomly generated unique number.
Cookies don’t save private or personal information nor can they go through your PC for additional information. They have only one function and that’s only related to the site you’re currently visiting.
What can they be used for?
They allow two things. The first is convenience. By saving data from your last visit, it will load up faster and remember details so it loads up faster. If a site has any customisable features designed for use like sign in, it can save that for you so the next time you visit, you don’t need to go through the same process.
The second and unsurprising part of cookies is they determine the type of ads you see. Have you ever viewed an item on Amazon before visiting another site and seeing it or a similar item being advertised? That’s because of cookies telling those sites where you’ve been and adjusting its ads so they’re more appealing to you.
Some cookies can track your browsing history which leads to this, and for that reason alone, some may feel that is a little invasive, but there are ways to remove them if you feel that way.
How so?
For one, you can delete cookies entirely by going into your browser’s history. This is usually found in settings but all of them allow you to wipe clean cookies and other cached data.
You can also view and block individual cookies by clicking the icon to the left of the site’s URL – normally a lock, globe or page icon – or by going into the browser’s settings.
You could go a step further and download a plugin like Cookie Inspector for Chrome, a plugin that allows you to delve deep and edit cookie properties.
If you do block cookies, it could mean that you will lose some functionality for certain sites, or that you will have to enter in details or change settings every time you visit.
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Didn’t think we had woodpeckers in ireland
@liam mc meel: shoot
@Philip Murphy: shoot them or se
@liam mc meel: I’ve been listening to them chipping away at the trees for a good few years now. Sounds like a machine gun being shot in the distance
@michael odwyer: Indeed! They can heard rattling away at the metal tops of telegraph poles along the banks of Lough Erne. Some noise to experience!
@liam mc meel: they are pecking up their passports on the way over.
@liam mc meel: only in last 20 years. They flew in from Wales.
@liam mc meel: It’s amazing, I’ve never seen one here. I was going to say they’re very striking :-D
Ha ha ha HA ha, Ha ha ha HA ha, heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh!
Can’t comment on Finland taking action on illegal immigration. Why?
@paulinlavally@gmail.com: because the government told them not to let you
How about the so called professionals ESB put the electrical infrastructure underground? No let’s blame the woodpecker. And the top brass are earning €100,000s.
@robbie scanlon: How much do you think it would cost to put all the cables underground, billions? Are you willing to pay this extra on your bill? We allow one off developments and this is some of the cost associated with it.
@The next small thing: The cost, the cost, oh what about the cost.
These people are making hundreds of millions per year, let them upgrade their own infrastructure or get out of the game and let someone in that will think of everyone, including our animals.
You wanna punish the animal for getting in the way of capitalism!
@David: Bless your naivety if you think the end customer won’t pay the cost. I never mentioned animals in my comment so I don’t know why you brought that up however seeing as you have then surely you are against one off developments which destroys their habitat.
@robbie scanlon: why not blame the Donald
These woodpeckers are live wires with no forwarding address or postal code for billing purposes
@Jerry Collins: brilliant!!
They’re Welsh, not Poles. [Insert rant of choice about migrants]
Still not as irritating as the noise Mary Toilet makes when she opens her gob
@Peter Murray: and now your having a conversation with yourself
@Peter Murray: jeez Man are you ok??
Are those woodpeckers migrants from Wales.Shouldnt they be in direct provision and be made to apply for asylum
Wood (oops Would) treating telegraph poles with tar deter woodpeckers from damaging them?
@Garreth Byrne:
Not much fun if you are the worker that has to climb that pole after….
@Garreth Byrne: Or maybe change the material of the pole and stop punishing the wood pecker for being a wood pecker?
Nial “Hatch”…….. born for the job:)
@Edward Hughes: Ya gotta wonder if the name provoked his interest.
Amazing to have so many of them they run out of trees. We need more native trees and less conifer plantations…
Everyone says I’m paranoid for starting these Morse code lessons ,but I’m positive those woodpeckers are talking sh,t .
Seriously though, why have shops stopped stocking strawberries? Usually imported from Spain this time of year.
@Fintan Stack: oh Maaann!! Good point even though it’s such a First World problem… I used to grow my own I’d defo recommend it x
@Fintan Stack: parsnips from Spain too
Pesky woodpeckers, coming over here, taking our poles, messing with our trees! Round them all up and send them back! ;- )
@Mick Hanna: lol love it!!
These woodpeckers are live wires
Are these immigrant woodpeckers ?
Woodpeckers will not eat timber treated with creosote
Would these nests effect the overall structure safety and useable of these poles. I wouldn’t think so why not leave be.
Is this English?
Would these nests effect the overall structure safety and useable of these poles. I wouldn’t think so why not leave be.
@J M: “affect”. Apparently they do, since they are causing power outages.
Would these nests effect the overall structure safety and useable of these poles. I wouldn’t think so why not leave be.
Is this meant to be English?
Would they not set up the old poles they had to replace, so the birds can still nest in them? Or add new ones nearby that are shielded & leave the inhabited ones in place?
have your say