Cooky to observe downloads

[matt]

Hi everybody,

I have a little problem: I designed a website where I offer some data
(pdf) for download. I'd like to know where my visitors and downloaders
come from or who they are. Can I set a cokkie to get some information
without any form of registration?
I know html quite well but don't speak any other languages...
Thnx for any help!
joern
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[Mark Tranchant]

matt wrote:

I have a little problem: I designed a website where I offer some data
(pdf) for download. I'd like to know where my visitors and downloaders
come from or who they are. Can I set a cokkie to get some information
without any form of registration?

A cookie allows you to store information on the users' machines, which
you may then re-use next time they visit. They are not a technique for
getting that information in the first place.

Your best solution is to get access to your web server logs and use a
program like Webalizer to analyse them. Such statistics are only
indicative and cannot be relied upon, however. For example:

1) IP addresses' physical locations cannot be accurately determined
2) User agent identification strings are easily altered
3) Users may be getting the documents via a proxy server

--
Mark.
http://tranchant.plus.com/
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PLEASE NOTE: comp.infosystems.www.authoring.cgi is a
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for their content.

HOW TO POST to comp.infosystems.www.authoring.cgi:
http://www.thinkspot.net/ciwac/howtopost.html