global variables?

[culthero]

that's probably a stupid question, but i'm a beginner in modding...
i've just integrated that welcome panel mod and expanded it with the "currently active users" part - it works fine on the forum index, but on the other pages it doesn't show the numbers. i guess those variables need to be set as global somewhere, to be available on all pages? could you explain me how to do this?
the code-bit with those variables is part of the navbar, and the url is http://www.musicportal.org/forum/

<!-- logged-in users -->
	<td class="alt2" valign="top">
		<a href="online.php?$session[sessionurl]"><img src="$stylevar[imgdir_misc]/whos_online.gif" alt="$vbphrase[view_whos_online]" border="0" /></a></td>
	<td class="alt1" style="padding-right:10px">
		<div class="smallfont">
			<strong>$vbphrase[currently_active_users]:</strong> $totalonline<br />(<phrase 1="$numberregistered" 2="$numberguest">$vbphrase[x_members_and_y_guests]</phrase>)<br />
			<div>$activeusers</div>
			<phrase 1="member.php?$session[sessionurl]u=$newuserid" 2="$newusername">$vbphrase[welcome_to_our_newest_member_x]</phrase>
		</div>
	</td>
<!-- end logged-in users -->