That is correct - clearing is a readily accessible privacy setting (as I’m sure you know) and I think the “loss” issue is subject to debate (and is subjective in its own right as well).

I only have to click the log in button when I arrive someplace, with a password manager aiding the process. But, I don’t save usernames or passwords in my browser (or anywhere on my machine) for sites that have my financial information (nor do I use the same username/password combo at them all, but I manage). In total, I’d say it is hardly a big loss of time, and certainly provides me with some level of comfort as well. Nevertheless, I haven’t seen a study compares the loss of time from such a process to the potential loss of time dealing with direct marketing solicitations, spam deletion, and/or running around changing checking accounts and credit cards after an identity theft incident.

But the bigger issue here, IMHO, is stratification of the userbase (i.e. the difference between how you and I use the internet). I test a new site or service every now and then, but I have a core group of sites I use (and most of them are either proprietary stuff or services that allow me to do things like pay bills or buy a new gizmo). You, however, likely visit an enormous number of sites, and over and over again. That is part of your job - visit, test, provide useful opinions, get feedback, network those opinions and feedback…repeat. You do a great job of it, and a lot of people benefit from that.

How you use the internet is not how I use the internet (and it is not how my core group of friends and colleagues use the internet either). Hence, I and they don’t need the convenience of saving cookies for every site we visit, because we are vetting our visits based on YOUR opinions.

Keep up the excellent work!

PS: I believe OpenID adoption would create a much more comfortable arena for investigating new websites. My “non-hardcore” friends agree.