Why is there a tracker program on this website?

[DitzzyChic]

You have a google analytics tracker program (also known as urchin tracker) installed on this website that monitors our traffic & where we come to BYC from. I don't like websites tracking my whereabouts for advertising. This tracker also pays per click. Is this the alternative to "no ads" on the website?

Read all about it here & click on the urchin tracker link at the top of the first paragraph.


http://www.acorn-is.com/services-web-site-tracker.htm

 

[BYC Support]

I use Urchin (now Google Analytics) to check statistics. The information I gather is absolutely no different than the information that EVERY SINGLE website already has access to.

Each time any web browser hits any website the "server logs" capture information like IP address, browser type, version, etc. I hate to be blunt, but if you don't like this, you'll have to stop using the Internet.

I capture this data to help me as a web host. For example, it helps me to decide what parts of the site need the most attention and if / when I need to increase server resources.

Not sure what you mean by "pays per click" because it absolutely doesn't! If you want accurate information about Urchin / Google analytics, you can read up on it here. Heck, sign up for a free account and see what I (and every other web site) can and can't see:

http://www.google.com/analytics/

 

[BYC Support]

Also, other important data I collect is relative to the resolution / browser version. This helps me to know what tools / features the majority of users can use. It would stink if cc and I came up with a bunch of cool tools and features that cause you problems when you login because we just guessed that your computer was the same as ours.

Make sense?

 

[dlhunicorn]

now I am not very technical or nothing ...but from what I have read...YOU may not want or use it for other things than what you have listed above but it allows a window of opportunity for third parties to do so (I think) and I think that is the source of Ditzies objections?

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Guys, I do all this stuff full time job. I promise you're not at any more "risk" than you are surfing the rest of the internet.

 

[eggchel]

This version provides you all the tracking information about visitors to your web site to help you make informed decisions on listing services, Pay Per Click (PPC) listings, etc.

It says that it helps you make decisions about Pay Per Click, among other things.

Just sounds like "cookies" to me. You pretty much cant surf anonymously anywhere anymore.

chel​

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

chel, you're exactly right. This info can be used in lots of ways, but it's super harmless. I promise, more information is gathered about you when you drive your car around town then I'll ever gather from you visiting this forum.

By the way, one good thing about being able to see the stats for a new site I own.... finding goodies I didn't know existed. I just noticed a few people downloaded the following movie..... COOLEST THING EVER:

http://backyardchickens.com/images/feeders/auto-feeder-movie.mpg

 

[eggchel]

OMG That is the coolest chicken feeder anywhere, and exactly what I need to keep the darn mice out of the feed.

Quick.... who can build one of those for me?

chel

 

[bigzio]

nifty-chicken,

Wonderful avitar, reminds me of my wonderful broody hen that we had in the garage this summer. Wish we had taken pics!

bigzio

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Thanks! She's broody all the time. I'm actually chattin' with Chel right now to see how I can leverage this buff's broodyness to get Chel some hatched eggs.