Rob,
Obviously I would rather not hack. I don't have spots and the closest thing I have to an anorak is a Barbour to wear when taking the Labrador for a walk (just need a Range Rover to complete the image
)
What I am suggesting is there be a way of configuring users such that their cookies are persistent. This could, if you wish, be made a little complex (though I think that, given your reasons for doing this just a tick box would suffice.)
The default would be "off", but if anyone cared enough and knew enough, or knew who to ask, that would be proof enough that they could be trusted to tick this box.
Anyway, as I am always saying to you and Danny, it's your box, you set it up how you like. Some people, including me, find the change irritating, and you may or may not want to take that into account. I'm not going to stop using PPRuNe or stop giving you money, or stop singing your praises because of it...it's just a bit of a pain!
Timothy