function init() {
    //show the counter when necessary
    if (hasQueryVariable(document.URL,'counter')) {
        var strShowCounter=getQueryVariable(document.URL,'counter');
        if (strShowCounter.toUpperCase()=='Y') {
            var elem=document.getElementById('divVisitorCounter');
            if (elem!=null) {
                elem.style.display='block';
            }               
        }
    }
}