Log File Analyzers

Log File Analyzers

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  Introduction
  Awstats
  Webablizer
  Analog

Introduction
At first glance you’re probably thinking WTH is he talking about? Well to put it quite simply a log file analyzer is just a script that runs on your web hosting account (assuming you have one) and spits out stats and pretty graphs and charts. Usually your web host will have at least one of these pre-installed in your account, and there should be a link to them from a category in your control panel named “Stats,” “Web/FTP Stats,” or something else along the same lines.

Awstats
My personal log file analyzer. It files everything in a nice easy to use and read format. It’s not hard to use and it’s extremely accurate.
Demo:
http://awstats.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/awstats.pl

Webalizer
In my opinion if you have to use it it’s okay, but a lot of the stats are incorrect. From my experience the only really accurate number from a Webalizer stat page is the bandwidth usage. If you just want the general gist of how your site is faring Webalizer is okay, but Awstats is far better.
Demo:
http://www.mrunix.net/webalizer/sample/

Analog
About the same as Webalizer, not particularly accurate, but the graphs and charts are nicer. Also it’s very condensed, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding exactly what you want.
Demo:
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sret1/stats/