Rick,

>>The scripts I'm "familiar" with are CGI.
>>Typically, you install the script and it guides
>>you through creating redirects for the pages you
>>want to track. It then gives you the links which
>>you use in your pages instead of linking directly
>>to the other pages. The script also takes care of
>>statistics but you also have your site stats to
>>rely on. (Do I have that about right Harvey?)

Yes, that's right.

There are two types of ad trackers
CGI Script - which you install at your site
Online Service - the program runs at the supplier site
although they essentially work in the same way.

At the basic level an ad tracking program records
when your URL has been clicked. It can detect
where your visitor came from (the referring URL),
the browser and operating system and the exact
time. It can record total hits and unique hits
(i.e. where one visitor may click several times)

This data is kept in the system so you can then
pull off reports on any ad campaign over any
period e.g. by month, day or even by hour.

You can go online at any time and view your stats,
which will be immediately up to date. If someone
clicked on your ad just a second ago this
information will already be available in the
system.

Harvey