: A few thoughts: Web based tools like Google Analytics require JavaScript to function completely. Some of them even requires JavaScript to be turned onto function at all. So if a user doesn't

@Pope3001725

A few thoughts:

Web based tools like Google Analytics require JavaScript to function completely. Some of them even requires JavaScript to be turned onto function at all. So if a user doesn't have JavaScript enabled your site statistics won't be accurate or complete. They also may slow your site down as the user has to wait for that code to fully download and be parsed fort it to work. If the stats provider's server is slow at that moment your page will seem to be slow to the user.

On the plus side, they are easy to set up as they only require a small snippet of code to be placed in your pages and you're up and running. They also tend to stay on top of updated bot and browser lists which they can apply immediately with no work from you required so their reports are always current.

Web based tools like Awstats don't require any client side and thus will offer a complete set of statistics from every user. If you use a web host that provides a basic control panel one of these is usually included so no set up is required.

On the downside if you don't have a server with a pre-installed control panel or want to use a different one then is included you'll have to install one yourself. Installing software on web servers, particularly *nix systems, is not for the lighthearted. As browsers and bots continually change you'll need to make sure you keep this software up to date otherwise you'll have a lot of "unknown" bots and browsers in your stats which isn't particularly helpful.

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