Basically, if someone’s web browser is not retaining their login session (unless there is no activity within 2 hours), it possibly indicates an issue with their system/browser somewhere that conflicts with retaining standard PHP sessions. Each computer setup is different and can take a lot of time trying to diagnose all the variations, browser plug-ins and add-ons, versions, anti-virus programs running, bad internet connections, IP Pooling issues (where the IP address constantly changes), Satellite internet connections with “power boosters” that cause problems, having multiple windows/tabs opened using the same browser and possibly logging out of one window/tab not realizing it affects the other windows/tab sessions as well. There are more possibilities but ...
I’ve been working on thequiltshow.com since 2007 and am constantly logged in almost every day with multiple browsers and tabs, testing on iPad, tablets, iPhone, 2 different computers with various versions of Windows. In that time span I never loose my login session or am automatically logged out, unless there is no activity for 2 hours. This simply means that there is nothing on my 5 computers/devices that are causing that problem.
First thing I would absolutely make sure that my web browser is allowing cookies to be set. I have had maybe a half dozen members over the past year report they could not login with their iPad and when they checked, the Safari settings were not allowing cookies to be set. However, if a web browser is not allowing cookies, then theoretically there should never a successful login to begin with, but many people may not notice and think they are logged in until they try to do something that requires a login, like post in the forum or watch a show. I has appeared to me over the years looking at security logs, that some people successfully login, browse around a dozen or so pages then are no longer logged in but never when through the logout process. It’s a mystery to me.
The other thing that one can try, is to use a different web browser and/of completely uninstall the web browser, reboot, then reinstall it from scratch so to ensure a clean version of the browser is being used. Some people have installed plug-ins and/or add-ons (with or without knowing it) that have conflicted with their ability to watch our videos. Once the plug-in/add-on was removed, then they could watch our video again. So, I suppose it’s possible that people having issues retaining their login session may also have conflicting things added into their browser. A great test for this is to reinstall the browser.
It’s also possible that there is a bug/conflict in the website software somewhere that is like trying to find a needle in the haystack.
You can know if you’re logged in when you see your username in the top login button (ie: Logout: username)
Unfortunately, I don’t know a simple answer that applies to everyone in this situation.
Bob Bigelow
Tech Support
. My Grandson has the "Friends for Christmas" quilt, I had literally put the last stitch on the binding and laid it on the floor to admire, when he walked in and said, "Mama, is that my quilt finished - Can I take it home tonight?" Out of all the quilts I have made I have only 2 quilts in my house. My Grandchildren are all asking who will get the ABC quilt when it is finished, and if I cannot decide who gets it can they have a raffle for it! This also includes the 17 year old. Like you say you can never have enough bags. The weather with the exception of a couple of nice days last week has been cool and wet 
I'm praying for sunshine. Speak to you soon
