Reading a cookie (Need to brush up this one :D)

[wpearsall]

Hey ya,

I'm writing a (simplish) php / MySQL pop up exchange to use on my site.

I want the user to be able to store their username and password in a cookie, And so, IF they provide the correct details,
The cookie gets set like so:

    // User ID - Username - Password (MD5)
    $userinfo = base64_encode("$user_id:$username:$password");
    setcookie("usercookie","$userinfo",time()+2592000); 

Any how, so far, i have got by just editing my php nuke site, to include the login, password ETC thats needed (Genious huh)

Well any how, I want this site to be totally indipendant from my nuke site, (For the main reason, it dont go anything with my nuke site).

Any how,

How do i get the cookie READ into the php script?

Like make it into a variable called "$userinfo" When they call my index.php / login.php / member.php?

From php nuke (lol) I have been able to find out how i READ it into the user id / username / password

WHEN i have it as a variable ($userinfo):

    $user = base64_decode($userinfo);
    $cookie = explode(":", $user);

    $user_id = $cookie[0];
    $username = $cookie[1];
    $md5_password = $cookie[2];
// Login stuff goes here IF the cookie is correct,
// Else
// setcookie("usercookie"); 

this is basically a MUST have thing for my "Exchange" as i really doubt users wanna have to login every page etc.

Ne one help plz?

TNX