Express Software Production

WinLog™

Full Version
Trial Version
Free Version
All Versions

It is assumed that the person installing this software is an expert in the use of computers and their software. Otherwise, you should seek the assistance of someone so qualified.


Purpose of the Software : This program is designed to track windows as they are opened and closed. It may be used to track one’s own usage, for billing or tax purposes. It may be used to track worker productivity, or compliance with computer usage rules within your company. It may be used to monitor what your children are doing on their computers. It is not spyware, and will not make any attempt to communicate with other computers or software. Its only action is to write information to a log file, configurable by an expert user.

What this program does NOT do :
It DOES NOT record Windows events.
It DOES NOT record device activity (such as communications).
It DOES NOT record keystrokes.
It DOES NOT communicate with anyone.


The program comes in three versions :

1. Full, paid version :

This version supports two command line flags :
D= # of seconds, e.g. D=2 means a delay of 2 seconds
M= #1000 lines, e.g. M=3 means a maximum of 3000 lines

The “delay” represents the refresh interval for updating the program’s internal list of open windows. The default interval is 5 seconds. That is, every 5 seconds, the program refreshes its list of open windows, and will write entries to the log file reflecting any windows that have been started or stopped during the past 5 seconds. Since the program actually logs its data by window title, a window whose title changes will be logged as “stopped”, and the new title “started”. For example, when you first open a document in a word processor, the title will change. Please note that changing the interval will have little effect on log file size. It will only affect the logging of windows that open and close quickly, during the time between two refresh cycles.

With time and computer usage, a log file can grow considerably. You may wish to limit the log file size with the M= command line flag. Without it, the file size is unlimited, i.e., there is no default. With the flag in use, the file is shortened to the specified length when the program is started, normally when Windows starts. Before the program is stopped, there is no further limit on the file size. For example, if you specify M=2, when the program starts, it will remove all but the last 2000 lines, before beginning normal operation.

If you are interested in a site license to cover multiple computer installations, please send email to
winlog at software-production.com

 

2. Trial version (Free for 30 days) :

This version supports only one command line flag :
M= #1000 lines, e.g. M=3 means a maximum of 3000 lines
The refresh interval is always 5 seconds.
See above for a description.

3. Free version :

This version does not support any command line flags.
The refresh interval is 5 seconds.
The maximum number of lines is 1000, as if the command line flag had been M=1

All versions :

Information about the program is never displayed on the screen, only written to the log file. This includes version information and the serial number. All messages, including error messages, are also written to the log file.

To specify command flags, if supported, you need to edit the shortcut file properties. For example, to specify a maximum of 5000 lines and a refresh interval of 2 seconds, edit the “Target” text box to read:
"C:\Program Files\Express Software Production\WinLog\W32.exe" M=5 D=2
The order of command line flags is not important, nor whether you include them within the quotes.

To read the log file, open it in Notepad if it is small enough. Use WordPad if it’s too large for Notepad.

This software has been tested successfully on Windows XP and Windows Vista.


Return to main WinLog™ page
Send e-mail to :
winlog at software-production.com

Copyright © 2009, Express Software Production
Last Updated: July 10, 2009