AbleStable | Review Centre | Software | Development

Absolute Log Analyzer Pro is a sophisticated Windows based log processor designed to uncover valuable information about website traffic that may otherwise lay hidden in log files. The program is designed for website owners and web designers.

Website log files are generated by a web server, and contain a record of website activity. Every time a person visits a website, a log file is updated with the visitor's information by the web server. A single HTML page usually includes many graphics and other associated files, and therefore results in many entries in the log files which can be downloaded and used to generate useful statistics. This is commercially valuable data that provides information about who is visiting a website, how they got there, where they go, and what files they request. In turn this shows the webmaster how their site can be restructured and improved.

Web logs are usually saved in a 'raw' text form that is all but impossible to read without the aid of a log analyzer. The job of a web analyzer is to demystify these logs and present the information in meaningful ways.

There are essentially two kinds of log analyzer available. Those that carry out their tasks on the web server (usually script based applications), and those like Absolute Log Analyzer Pro that are exclusively client based and used on a local computer. Some commercial software products deliver both client-side and server-side log analysis solutions.

Absolute Log Analyzer provides a hundred and sixty reports that uncover the way visitors and files at a website are delivered, instant customisable filters, parsing filters, and remote log file import. The software recognizes more than a hundred search engines including the most significant like Google and Yahoo! This allows the webmaster to view information about search words and phrases which assists in their Meta Tag implementation and content editorial.

Absolute Log Analyzer's traffic statistics appear in charts and tables, and all reports are delivered via a simple explorer type 'report tree'. An original GetStats interface and support for FTP/HTTP protocol allows the webmaster to easily retrieve and analyse remote log files. Analyzer recognizes the majority of log file formats (Microsoft IIS, Apache combined, W3C Extended) automatically, and there is also the ability to specify a customised log file format for non standard log files. GZip and bzip2 compressed log files are recognised, processed, then recompressed to minimize drive space usage.

Absolute Log Analyzer imports data into its optimized proprietary database. This allows to incrementally update the statistics as new log files arrives and makes it simple to zoom in on a particular quarter, month, week, or day.

The program first opens in pre-activation mode. Registered users enter their registration key while connected to the Internet, and follow the simple procedure that is significantly helped by a generous informational window that explains the whole process. An option for off-line registration is also available as well as using the software for a trial period.

Program Launch

Subsequent launches of the program begin with a 'Did you know?' window which provides hints about the program usage. The user has the option of launching the program without this 'tips' window by unselecting a 'show tips at startup' box. The user has the option of creating a demo workspace to get to grips with the software, or may elect to define their own workspace.

The layout of Absolute Log Analyzer is clear, easy to use, and consists of the following 9 distinct areas:

1. Text menu
2. Icon menu toolbar
3. Drop down calendar for date selection
4. Time interval selector
5. Filter tool
6. Tree view of reports
7. Data view of selected report
8. Chart view of the selected report
9. Status bar


	Software for Creative People