Thanks for the replies. A lot of work to test it all out.

Let me ask this regarding topic views, is there a way it can be changed? I don't care about unique hits, as the forums I compete for advertising dollars aren't set up like mine. Thus when advertisers look at the forums I look like not much is going on compared to them.

I understand the need for some to want to have unique visitors but my business is different in nature.

Let me know and thanks for the help.