Again, what is the concensus for authentication?

HTTP authentication? Cookies...and milk ? Server Side ? Combination? I prefer a combination of HTTP authentication and cookies, however, wanted to know if implementing the cookie part was worth the effort. Anyone have any words of wisdom for HTTP authentication? THIS E-MAIL MESSAGE AND ALL ATTACHMENTS TRANSMITTED HEREWITH ARE TRADE SECRET AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION INTENDED ONLY FOR THE VIEWING AND USE OF ADDRESSEE. IF THE READER OF THIS MESSAGE IS NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY REVIEW, USE, COMMUNICATION, DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY BY TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONIC MAIL, AND DELETE THIS MESSAGE AND ALL COPIES AND BACKUPS THEREOF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.