How do I know who is logged in?

Hello guys.

My current application is using standard .htaccess authentication. Right now my code is using REMOTE_USER environment variable that is getting created when a user logs in to the website. I am looking for a authentication script that would let me manage my users and protection for the directiories. So I am testing this script.

I was trying to use htpasswd folder protection method, but I am getting a login pop-up, which we are trying to get away from. We want to have a simple HTML login form for users to login to the webite.

I have few questions.

Question 1:
When I use new_rewrite folder protection method amember_nr cookie is being created. When my script reads the cookies I get:
Cookie: amember_nr - amember_nr=7960deee27e33f0dac85d7d813fcab4a; path=/
I need to know the user name of the person that logged in because my script is looking at the actual name of the user name. Previously I was able to obtain this information from REMOTE_USER environment variable. It does not look like new_rewrite method creates that variable. So the question, is there a way to have new_rewrite method to create REMOTE_USER?
If not, how do I know which user has logged in to the website?
I assume that information is stored in amember_nr cookie. Is there a way for me to retrieve it? If that information is not stored in amember_nr cookie, where can I get it without encryption?

Is there a way to know who is logged in?

Thank you,
-Al