First Time Visiting?

[Warptweet]

I was wondering, is it possible to display a message to a visitor of my website IF he has NEVER visited my website before?

 

I'm not asking for a whole code (unless you already know one) but I need help thorizing the basics of this. NOTE: I can use MySQL databases to store IP's or something if needed.

[tom100]

2 options that I can think of:

 

1.) Track their IP.

 

Problems:

If their IP changes, they will appear as a new user. (All dialup users will have this problem.)

If their on a network, one IP will apply to multiple users.

 

2.) Use Cookies.

 

Problems:

If they delete the cookies or it expires, they appear to be a new user.

 

[JBS103]

Personally, I am a proponent of the "First time visitor? Click here!" link for that reason.

 

Like Tom mentioned, it will be difficult to track guests before they register/login.

[Jessica]

If their IP changes, they will appear as a new user. (All dialup users will have this problem.)

If their on a network, one IP will apply to multiple users.

 

As well as anyone else who has a dynamic IP.

So while my IP at home could constantly change, and I'd see the message a lot, I'd go to school and never see it there because someone else had been first - seems weird to me as a visitor.

 

I recommend the "First Time?" buttons too.