only thing i can think of...

i don't know what ao is using or if it's possible with php but in coldfusion (cfM) you can set server variables which can be stored in a db or the registry. i use a db on my site to track client preferences rather than cookies...that way clients get what they want no matter what system they are logging in from...however...my set up requires you to login before any preferences are applied...

that said...there's no reason you couldn't set it up to check ip's and query them against a db.... altho that would be a bit strange...but then your problem is a bit strange too...

any ideas jp???