[UPHPU] Email Counter

[Smith, Jeff]

There are a couple options.  You can always form your html email to load
an image file from your web server.  Something like <img
src="counter.php"> then use PHP to generate the image.  You could then
use PHP to add an entry to the database recording the users IP.   There
is a bunch of draw backs to this.  Not all email clients will
automatically load the image file.  Also some people may look at the
email multiple times (thus triggering multiple counts).  This is known
as email bugging and is generally considered a bad thing.  If you just
want to keep in touch with potential customers have a link that points
back to your site.  That is the best thing to do (IMHO).

jeff 

-----Original Message-----
From: uphpu-bounces at uphpu.org [mailto:uphpu-bounces at uphpu.org] On Behalf
Of Webot Graphics
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 3:25 PM
To: UPHPU.org
Subject: [UPHPU] Email Counter

Is there a way to make an email counter using PHP (or anything else)  
to count (and possibly the ip address) when an email is viewed  
(without a database would be best)?

Basically I work for a company that sends out a free email newsletter  
almost monthly to previous customers. 2 days ago we sent one out and  
we got back an email saying

"Hi guys, it's nice to here from you. How do I place an order with you?"

After reading  sitepoint's  "Do You Underestimate Your Users?"  
article, i feel i am not doing the greatest job with our newsletters,  
and I would like to be able to track views, button clicks, etc.

Thank you


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