Counters DO NOT need to slow down pages... just don't put them at the top or even in the middle - and don't put them in tables. Bury the fucking thing on the bottom of the page.
Counter companies tell you to place them on top for the most accurate stats because they want the surfers to see it of course. In reality it is just a load of crap. What is the point of counting a surfer that doesn't even let your page load...??
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Make $$$ the Diabolical Way