Hello netcash-ga,
most free stats programs tend to use javascript, java or are server
side scripts.
however there are the odd few which do not need javascript, but are
less functional as a consequence.
I assume you are not looking for paid for scripts, otherwise it will
offset the price savings you are enjoying with your free? webspace.
It's quite rare that the host does not allow javascript.
Anyhow, I managed to find two, (after being subjected to some horrible
popups :-[ and registration forms as the code is only displayed after
registration. Javascript was powering most of the scripts)
The first script incorporates more functionality, the second is more
basic.
1. Site Meter ( http://sm6.sitemeter.com ) has a javascript and non
javascript script version (
http://sm6.sitemeter.com/default.asp?action=newaccount )
You need to register (free) to obtain the script there are
instructions on how to implement it. The non javascript version
doesn't allow you to track the original URL from which your visitors
came before linking to your site, only a small concession.
2. The Microsoft bCentral FastCounter is free and is non javascript
( http://www.bcentral.com/products/fc/default.asp )
again this requires a sign up.
Search Strategy:
Yahoo: Computers and Internet > Internet > World Wide Web >
Programming > Access Counters
http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/World_Wide_Web/Programming/Access_Counters/
Google web directory: Computers > Software > Internet > Site
Management > Log Analysis > Commercial > Outsourced Analysis
http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Software/Internet/Site_Management/Log_Analysis/Commercial/Outsourced_Analysis/
I hope that one of them works, and that they satisfy your
requirements,
if not, please get back to me with an answer clarification.
Good luck!
kind regards lot-ga |
Request for Answer Clarification by
netcash-ga
on
31 Jul 2002 11:27 PDT
20 minutes back I got to know that sitemeter is giving html counters.
Could you please tell me how html counters work? Please
|
Clarification of Answer by
lot-ga
on
31 Jul 2002 11:43 PDT
The way 'HTML' counters work is simply by referencing an image
(visible banner or transparent invisible graphic) hosted on their
server. Their server logs record the request from your webpage, and
then reformat the stats for your page.
For example if I 'gave' you a URL for one of the graphics hosted on
my server to be referenced on your webpage, I can tell how many hits
you have had, and other data in my server logs.
This is the reason why some forum boards do not allow users to 'post'
images hosted from their own servers on to the boards, as the poster
can pick up information from readers of that message, their IP
address, ISP etc. I hope you understand the explanation.
Kind regards lot-ga
|
Clarification of Answer by
lot-ga
on
31 Jul 2002 11:54 PDT
Hi,
actually I checked again, with Site Meter it doesn't reference a
graphic / image, it references two ASP files instead hosted on their
server This is more flexible regarding the type of stats available
than a plain graphic, regards lot-ga
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
netcash-ga
on
31 Jul 2002 12:06 PDT
hi lot,
Thank you once again for your reply. You know, this html counter is
really building some curiosity within me. I understood what you are
telling, but I would like to know what programs they use to write and
track html counters. Is it pearl, cgi, php or something else? And how
is it possible for them to give the service to me.
For eg. let's assume that you are sitemeter and i m your client. I
came to your site, signed up for a html counter. Now, you get the
information on how many hits i got on my pages on your server logs.
Then how is it that you provide me to see that log or information in a
formatted way. What is the technology behind that.
If you know any readymade programs which will do this, please tell me.
I would really like to go through those programs.
The reason I am behind you for all this information is just because of
my love for programming. I just joined a course on programming. And I
want to learn a lot about programming. Hope you understand that.
|
Clarification of Answer by
lot-ga
on
31 Jul 2002 13:35 PDT
Hi netcash-ga
Please find my responses interlaced with your questions.
> I would like to know what programs they use to write and track html
counters
Site Meter uses the basic server log mechanism of the server, plus ASP
( Active Server Pages ) so it’s Microsoft based programming (well on
the surface it is), and pages are served on the fly dynamically to
present the data, though I wouldn’t know what is in their code :-[
The referencing URLs have a unique identifier after the .asp file name
(following the ? mark) which is your identifier in their server logs.
http://sm7.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?sm71qaz1qaz
http://sm7.sitemeter.com/meter.asp?sm71qaz1qaz
So presumably they have a clever programme that collates the unique
IDs and throws it up with ASP all nicely presented to each person.
> If you know any readymade programs which will do this, please tell
me.
Mmmm... I don’t know of any off the shelf solutions, but first you
would need to change your host with their restriction on javascript,
as any programme which would offer this functionality would need more
access to the server features.
> how is it possible for them to give the service to me?
According to their FAQ page
( http://sm6.sitemeter.com/default.asp?action=help#10 )
“Site Meter is supported by the advertising shown on each of its
pages. You are helping to support Site Meter every time you see an
advertisement, click on a banner or signup with a service advertised
on Site Meter.”
They also expect a certain percentage of people to upgrade to the paid
for account.
( http://sm6.sitemeter.com/default.asp?action=help&area=UPGRADEFAQ )
Because the free account has less features than the standard account,
e.g. only tracks the last 100 visitors, has no recent visitors report,
no full IP address of the visitor is available, no referring website,
referring search engines, referring search words, referring web page
or previous years traffic reports. Also you are required to display
the Site Meter Logo on your webpages which is A. advertising for them
and B. may increase their rankings in popularity link influenced
search rankings, as there will be a lot of sites using this free
service, and ‘linking’ to back to them.
I hope that the additional information is somewhat useful. If you need
a more detailed analysis for the technology behind and logistics of
running a free web statistics concern I would recommend you post that
as a new question so other researchers can answer it more effectively.
I hope you enjoy your new programming course, and keep your curiosity
going. I glad you love the programming, I’ve met a few who have become
a bit jaded over the years with glassy eyes, and too many screwn up
plastic coffee cups in the bin. Keep the enthusiasm up!
All the best
lot-ga
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
netcash-ga
on
31 Jul 2002 19:36 PDT
HI lot,
Thank You for your time and service. You have really been helpful and
extremely co-operative. Like you said I will post one more question on
the mains for learning everything about counters. Let's see what comes
up.
Meanwhile by chance if you know any counter scripts that are readily
available can you inform me about it.
|
Clarification of Answer by
lot-ga
on
24 Aug 2002 11:26 PDT
Hello netcash-ga,
I didn't find any other non-javascript counters but here is another
listing which might be a useful resource when you decide to work on
your own script.
CGI-Resource Index
http://www.cgi-resources.com/Remotely_Hosted/Access_Counters/
kind regards
lot-ga
|
