Using Web Server Logs to Track Users Through the Electronic Forest

Summary

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Next we decided to test AWStats on a sample set of log files from my server without actually installing the software on our Web server. When this test was successful, the consultant installed AWStats on a test server. During this process, we could not make the Web-based interface for updating the statistics work. However, I was not sure I needed "real-time" data, so we journeyed on. The final step in the process was installing and configuring AWStats on our Web server.

Coombs discusses the electronic presence of the library and for providing cohesion between its various Web-based systems and electronic information. She also introduces the library Web site at SUNY Cortland that has approximately 270 pages, including database driven Web pages, XMLK, and Web-based forms, across two different servers. Among other things, the site offers a variety of Web-based services, including online interlibrary loan, electronic resources, and others.

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Extract

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Using Web Server Logs to Track Users Through the Electronic Forest

As the electronic services librarian at SUNY Cortland, I am responsible for the electronic presence of the library and for providing cohesion between its various Web-based systems and electronic information. As part of my responsibilities, I work with the library's Webmaster and other librarians to create a unified Web-based presence for the library. Along with our main site, we have Web sites for our ILL system, proxy server, and Webbased survey host. When the university wanted to know more about who was using our Web pages and how they were doing it, I was asked to collect some statistics. After using three methods to assess our site, I chose to concentrate on using Web server logs, and in following their paths discovered a wealth of useful data.

Welcome to the Virtual Electronic Forest

Currently...

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