If I’m following you, read this . . .

I follow a lot of blogs. Most are not that active. Some are.

Blogs I follow are split into two kinds . . . those with their own domain name, and those that have names which include  the wordpress name (for example, like mine: disperser.wordpress.com).

This post is for blogs with their own domain name . . . but first, let me tell you about third party cookies. No, let’s let someone else tell you about them.

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/disable-third-party-cookies-in-ie-firefox-and-google-chrome/

So, here’s the deal; I looked at the cookies stored on my PC. About every other cookie is an advertising cookie. Most know where I am (or at least they think they do; I use GoTrusted, so my IP is listed as being somewhere on the East Coast), but they also know what I am looking at, and target ads specifically to my browsing.

I. Don’t. Like. That.

I don’t object to people making money from ads. I object to them assuming what I want to see (Google does the same thing with the searches, and it’s becoming more and more annoying). I object to them gathering data on me. I don’t like Google doing it, I don’t like FaceBook doing it . . . I basically don’t like any site doing it. 

So, what does that have to do with blogs with their own domain names?

When I block Third Party Cookies, I no longer can comment or leave “likes” on those blogs. Not all of those blogs, but some. You can read the whole support thread HERE, but basically that’s what WordPress says; I need to enable third party cookies for my comments and ‘likes’ to work.

Now, there are some caveats to that . . . it’s not just me blocking third party cookies. It’s also the site (the blogger) requiring commenters to log in (meaning, they have to have facebook, twitter, or wordpress accounts).

This is what my comments settings look like.

There are more settings, but these are the ones that seem to matter. Specifically, the “Users must be registered and logged in to comment“. 

If you have that box clicked, commenters are required to be logged in.

Before I continue, let me make a comment about that . . . not everyone is on Facebook, Twitter, or WordPress. In fact, a number of my readers are not. Having that box checked essentially shuts them out from being able to comment unless they join one of those sites . . . which they would have already done had they wanted to do so.

Anyway, if you have that box checked, and even if I am logged into my WordPress account (or one of the other two), and the site can’t set a third party cookie, I will not be able to comment.

Supposedly I can write exception for individual sites, allowing them to post third party cookies.

. . . supposedly . . . I’ve done so for blogs I read, and it makes no difference. 

I can post comments on some sites, but not hit ‘like’. On other sites I can hit ‘like’ but not post comments.  And on some sites I can do neither, and on some sites I can do both.

The behavior I have seen points me to a possible glitch. . . . or . . . there are additional advertising cookies wanting to be set; cookies that have nothing to do with either WordPress or the site I am visiting. 

Now, all this would go away if I enable third party cookies . . . but I am not going to.

So, here’s the way of things. If I am following your blog, I am reading it. If you no longer see my ‘likes’ or any comments, check your settings.

HOWEVER . . . as I said above, the system is not consistent. I had one blog that stopped accepting comments as I was having a conversation with the blogger on the comment; I posted about four, and then I could post no more. 

Again, I am not enabling third party cookies.

If that keeps me from commenting on your blog, I will be sad . . . but I will not enable third party cookies.

I will attempt to write an exception for your site. If that doesn’t work I will be sad . . . but I will not enable third party cookies.

I have no idea why ‘likes’ work on some sites and not others; I will attempt to click on ‘like’ on your blog. If it does not work I will be sad . . . but I will not enable third party cookies.

None of the above applies to people who have a blog with ‘wordpress’ in the name.

I thank those who have read this far, but I fear few will, and that means there is a chance I will lose touch with some bloggers.  I will be sad . . . but I will not enable third party cookies.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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Note: if you are not reading this blog post at Disperser.Wordpress.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

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Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.