SPE's website requires the use of session-based "cookies."  These are small files that are written to your hard drive (in the cookies directory) that allow us to keep track of your login or other information you provide so that you don't have to login again on each page.  These cookies are harmless, but without them, you will not be able to use the SPE website, so your computer must be set to allow cookies.  If you are using the eLibrary, SPE also uses a permanent cookie that expires after 7 days to store your shopping cart information.  This helps you so that if you get disconnected or have to leave the site for some reason, it will keep track of items you put into your cart so you don't have to start over again.

To enable cookies in Internet Explorer 5.0:

1. Click on tools
2. Click on internet options
3. Click on the security tab
4. You will need to do each tab, but do not enable cookies on restricted sites
5. Click on the custom level button
6. Scroll down to the cookies section
7. Under cookies, you want to enable the "allow cookies stored on your computer"
8. Allow PER-session cookies (not stored) "enable"
9. Click OK
10. Click OK again
11. Follow steps for each tab as mentioned above
12. Close down your connection for Internet Explorer and then re-start. 

You should able to access the site now.

To enable cookies in Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher:

1. Click on tools
2. Click on internet options
3. Click on the privacy tab
4. Click on the Advanced option
5. You will then click on the box to select "Override Automatic Cookie handling". Click to Accept "First party" and "Third Party Cookies".  Also click to Accept "Always
   Allow session Cookies" and the click "OK".
6. Close down your connection for Internet Explorer and then re-start. 

You should able to access the site now.

In general, most newer browsers will work with SPE.org.  Browsers earlier than I.E. 5.5 and Netscape 6.0 are not supported.

In building the new website, SPE has made every effort to make all aspects of the website, including third-party applications compatible with both I.E. and Firefox, but users may encounter slight formatting or functionality differences due to the inconsistencies between the two primary browser platforms. Safari and Opera are not supported, but will work with most aspects of the website. Users of these browsers may encounter some functionality issues that could not be avoided. These browsers may not work for paying your dues online.

SPE is respecting the privacy of our members and volunteers.  Companies that send unsolicited spam email have gotten very good at extracting any email addresses from a website and inundating those addresses with spam.  To help to protect our members, SPE has attempted not to include email addresses of member volunteers in unprotected areas of our website. 

SPE members can easily look up another member in our online Membership Directory (which is protected via login) and get the information they need to contact that member. Non-members can send an email message to service@spe.org asking us to forward their inquiry to the appropriate committee chair or section officer.

SPE staff contacts are behind member login for the same reason.