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How to set Google preferences -
and still disable Google's cookie!

We don't know how long this will work, or if it works in your area, but it's worth a try because it's so easy. Perform these nine steps in this order:

1. Enable cookies.

2. Go to http://www.google.com/

3. Click on "Preferences" on the right side of the search box.

4. Set your preferences and click "Save Preferences." You're back to the search box.

5. Click on "Advanced Search" on the right side of the search box.

6. Do not fill out anything, but just click on "Google Search."

7. Bookmark this new search page.

8. Delete your Google cookie.

9. Disable all cookies, or at least your cookies for Google.

Now when you use your new bookmark for Google searches, your preferences are passed to Google in the URL, without a cookie. And with cookies disabled, Google won't be able to associate your search terms with the unique ID number that they use in their cookie. This is so wonderful that we think Google will patch this workaround sooner rather than later. If they do, it will prove for once and for all that the real reason Google uses cookies is to track you, and not to set preferences. But you knew that already, didn't you?
from google-watch