[Xenon]

it would be just like this:

PHP Code:

<?
require('global.php');
$userid = xx;
$userinfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT lastvisit FROM user WHERE userid=$userid");
$newposts=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT COUNT(*) AS total FROM post WHERE dateline>$userinfo[lastvisit]");
$newthreads=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT COUNT(*) AS total FROM thread WHERE lastpost>$userinfo[lastvisit]");

echo "New Posts: ".$newposts[total]." in  ".$newthreads[total]." updated threads!<br>";
?>

just save this on every forum server and include it from within your startpagescript

be sure you enter the correct userid