Please include why, since Im working on a script and would like a few opinions.

Opions about what??

What to use???

Really a combination of sessions and cookies are good...

depends on what you're tryinna do.
$essions
{'anything with mysql','only keepin\' track of data in the current "session"';}
cookies
{'keep track of user-specific data from one visit to the next';}
.htaccess
{'stop thief from linking your images','protect directories';}

what's your script tryinna do?

It's nothing big like a board or anything. It's just a script that calculates custom plan prices but after someone submits, it gets logged into a database. I'd need an admin panel for that.

Someone suggested I use sessions since they cause less problems but I've noticed a lot of scripts using .htaccess as well.

Yeah it really depends, if you are trying to determine login details I force 401 authentication in the php header and then use the in built username and password variables. I never store passwords in cookies.

I store pws in cookies only after i crypt("$string","salt"); them...

no, don't do that
just store a 'key' in the cookie that can be used to open up the password (stored on the server)
crypt("$string","salt"); the key ;)

Sessions: For shipping carts, people who don't want to stay logged in, passing info transparently from page to page.

Cookies: So they don't have to log in every time they visit a site.
Storing passwords in cookies isn't a terrible idea, just make sure you md5 anything that's being passed via http

Originally posted by Alturus
Storing passwords in cookies isn't a terrible idea, just make sure you md5 anything that's being passed via http

yeah, I guess.. I'm just paranoid

If I do use cookies, I'm going to have a timeout- I'm just too paranoid. Just wonering what the benifits to sessions and .htaccess were since every php programmer that I've spoken to seems to hate cookies and love sessions.

Depending on what you are trying to do. But I prefer cookies.

Good luck.