Some days ago, a new version of MTLookup was released. Please read Second version of MTLookup released for the announcement. I will describe the new features in several posts, which will be published here in the Movable Type Weblog.

Today, I want to tell you about persistent user data.

The problem

Today, an MTLookup query is defined by several settings. For example, in addition to the search phrase, you choose which websites should be included, and whether just the titles or also the excerpts are to be shown.

Most of these settings will not be changed from one query to the next. For example, I will always select "Title, Summary, and Excerpt", as this is my preferred setting. However, somebody else might prefer a short result list, showing just the articles' titles.

For supporting a returning user, these settings should be saved and restored on a later visit.

The solution

Usually, such a problem is solved with the help of a cookie: a small piece of information is stored on the user's PC. You know this technique, if you ever visited the Movable Type Forum. You only log in once and then on future visits you will be identified automatically.

If you open MTLookup for the first time, a cookie is stored on your PC. This cookie does not contain any query setting. It is just a key. It points to a row in the MySQL database, where all settings are stored. If you later return for performing another query, MTLookup reads this cookie and is then able to restore your preferred settings.

There is no need to explicitly store the settings. This happens automatically, if a query is performed.

Search History

Additionally, the most recently used search queries a stored and listed in the sidebar. So, if you have done some searching, then read some of those articles, and later return to MTLookup, you will be able to easily re-create a result list.

Related Articles

The new version of MTLookup is described on the Movable Type Weblog. These articles are...

• Second version of MTLookup released
• MTLookup v2 Improvements: Website Indexing
• MTLookup v2 Improvements: Stemming
• MTLookup v2 Improvements: Persistent User Data
• MTLookup v2 Improvements: Query Feedback
• MTLookup v2 Improvements: This and That

If you want to try, use MTLookup.

mgs | 09/19/2005

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