Integrated vB features screwing with PHP

[GlobalFusion]

I have a PHP page outside the forum directory that I am trying to integrate some vB features into using the global.php method.

an example:

<B>Welcome</B> to <a href="<?=$site_url?>">
  <?=$site_name?>
  </a>, 
  <?
if ($bbuserinfo['username']=='Unregistered') 
{ 
echo 'Guest'; 
} 
else 
{ 
echo $bbuserinfo['username'];
}
?>
  !</font></p>

It should Display like:

Welcome to <sitename>, <username>!

Now - here is where the problems begin..

By including global.php at the start of the page, i believe that if I am logged into the forums, that code should show my username.

It doesnt. it sees me as 'not logged in'.

IN addition to this, for some weird reason, it seems to lose the output for $site_name (my own non-vB variable).

If I comment out the include for global.php, my own variables work fine..


Im clueless as to why... and would appreciate any help.

Cheers in advance.