Cookies & Cache

This site requires authentication

In order to keep track of your games and show them to you when you visit this site, we need to know who you are, so we require you to log in when you want to play.

The nature of the web requires us to authenticate you not only the first time you visit the site, but on every web page that you view on the site. Obviously it wouldn't be a good idea to have to type in your nick name and password on every page, so we use "cookies."

What are cookies?

Unfortunately, these aren't the home baked variety with little chocolate chips that make your mouth water and your dieting convictions wither away. Instead, it's a little bit of information that we ask your computer to keep, and to send to us every time you visit another page. This cookie consists of the information necessary for us to determine your nick name and password, so we can verify that you really are who you say you are.

We send the cookie when you log in, and your computer sends it back to us every time you visit another page. We compare the cookie that your computer sends with the cookie that we have on file, and if they match, then we allow you access to your games.

The problem with cookies

Cookies do have a few disadvantages. If the cookie is stored on your computer, then anybody who uses the computer after you do will be able to access the site without knowing your nick name and password. Conversely, if the computer forgets your cookie, or doesn't send it for some reason, then you will have to log in manually for each page.

We allow you to "log out" of our site using the log out icon located at the top of every page, so if you are concerned about people using the same computer to access this site under your name, make sure to log out after each time you play. Doing so will erase the information in the cookie, so that the next person using that computer will have to log in to this site rather than being logged in automatically.

If your computer doesn't work with cookies very well

We also allow you the option of authenticating in a different manner: through the URL-Encoding method. To enable or disable this, visit your Preferences Page.

When you are using the URL-Encoded Authentication, we verify your nickname and password by placing a special code on each page that you visit. As you are browsing through the site you can see the code in the URL of each page. This code is unique to you, and it identifies you to the site.

The problem with URL-Encoded Authentication

There are a few disadvantages to URL-Encoded Authentication. Every time you visit the web site, you may have to enter your nick name and password again.

In addition, with this unique code permanently attached to each web page, you should be careful if you ever want to cut and paste the web page URL to send to a friend. Make sure that you remove the code in the URL, or your friend could get logged into the site as you!

As an example, say you wanted to show a friend a game you were playing, using this URL with the code:

http://www.goldtoken.com/chess?g=1234&sid=1O1e45d874930bc637

Before you send that URL to a friend, you'd be best to remove the code, which is identified by the underlined portion of the URL above -- so the modified URL that you'd want to share with friends would have that portion removed, like this:

http://www.goldtoken.com/chess?g=1234

We have taken steps to minimize the danger of passing this code along with the URL, but it's still safest not to let anyone have it.

Which method works best?

So, which is the best to use? I personally think that cookies are the best way to handle authentication on this site. That's the method that I use, and it seems a lot less intrusive. However, some computers don't handle cookies very well, so we default to using the URL-Encoded Authentication. If you want to change to relying solely on cookies, you'll have to make the change in your Preferences Page.

Questions:

Recently, I have found that if I am on a discussion board for awhile and reading lengthy post's that when I try to reply or go back to my gamesheet I find that I am kicked off the site and have to sign in again. Is this something that has changed? I don't remember having to log back in if on a discussion board page for awhile reading!

Answer:

That is most likely a cookie problem. This means one of two things: either your browser is not set up to accept cookies, or your cookies have become corrupt. This happens more often with Internet Explorer than with other browsers. If just a cookie problem, try emptying your cookies and your cache, reboot and it should be fixed. If your browser isn't accepting cookies, you need to go into your browser tools and reset it to accept cookies.

Maybe you've chosen the option that allows your browser to use session ids. If you've been away for a long long time (not sure exactly how long it is) you'll have to re-login (assuming your cookies aren't working and you are using session ids). That's what the session ids are for though; If you are having cookie problems you might want to check the session ids button along with checking up on your cookies (it can't hurt anything

)

My games won't load all the way. What's wrong?

Answer

Some browsers load what's known as cache, that allows for faster page loading. After time, a week to a month or more, depending on what your browser memory level was set at, the cache can become corrupt (the prior cache pages don't hold all the information like they originally had thus your pages won't load fully because your browser is relying on your cache to display the full page rather than an original view), and will need to be emptied. So when you start having troubles with page loads, empty your cache and cookies to completely refresh your browser.

I keep seeing the same game over and over even though I played it already, and my dice change on mid-move! What's up?

Answer:

This is usually a caching problem. For some reason your browser is displaying an old version of the gamesheet or remembering a dice roll that had a similar dice roll as a previous game instead of getting the latest version from the GT server. It can usually be fixed by clicking Refresh when viewing the gamesheet. If it keeps happening try clearing the cache (delete temporary Internet files).

I often read that emptying your cache and cookies helps with login problems. How do I empty the cookies and cache from my computer and how often should I do it?

Answer:

This is a very easy procedure and gets easier once you have done it once or twice. To empty your cookies and cache, open your browser, like it is right now. At the top of the browser is a list of options, you want to click on tools. If you have Internet explorer then you click Internet Options. Next click Settings, its about half way down. A new window will open and you want to click View Files. A new window will open up and you want to go to the top and click Edit, then Select all. Under Folder Tasks click delete all files. This empties your cookies. When it has emptied all the cookies, close that window.

Next, to empty your cache, you will find yourself back at settings in the tools box. Close the first window by clicking ok. Then click the Clear History button (a box will open asking if its ok to do so, click yes) and your done!!

You only need worry about emptying your cache and cookies if you are having a problem staying logged in, you keep having to play the same game and the database doesn't seem to register your move or are having page loading problems. It may seem over whelming at first, but stick with it, by this time next year you will be a pro!!!

How To Clear Specific Web Browser Cache (updated October 2019)

Clear the Web Browser Cache - Safari

1. Click on the Safari drop-down menu and select Preferences.
2. Click the Advanced tab. Select the Show Develop menu in menu bar checkbox and close the Preferences window.
3. Select the Develop drop-down menu. Click Empty Cache.
4. Note: You may want to also clear your browser history.

Clear the Web Browser Cache - Chrome

1. In the top right corner of the browser you will see three dots, which indicates a settings menu. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Advanced.”
2. Click on the section “Clear browsing data.”

Clear the Web Browser Cache - Firefox

1. From the History menu, select Clear Recent History. ...
2. From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
3. Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.

Clear the Web Browser Cache - Internet Explorer 9, 10 and 11 (Win)

1. Select Tools (via the Gear Icon) > Safety > Delete browsing history.... ...
2. Make sure to uncheck Preserve Favorites website data and check both Temporary Internet Files and Cookies then click Delete.

Clear the Web Browser Cache - iPhone & iPad

1. Open Settings.
2. Swipe down and tap Safari.
3. Swipe down again and tap Clear History and Website Data, tap it once again to confirm.

Clear the Web Browser Cache - Android

1. Go to Settings, tap Storage, and you'll be able to see just how much memory is being used by the partition under Cached Data. To delete the data:
2. Tap Cached Data, and tap Okay if there's a confirmation box to complete the process.

If you would like a specific cell phone or browser added to this list, please contact GoldToken Support.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find out what that wonderful fresh-baked smell wafting in from the kitchen is...