Mach 5 (FastStats) filtering

power plus limitation

[tedster]

On several threads here we've mentioned Mach5 Analyzer (aka FastStats), a product I've used for several years, because of its speed and entry level pricing.

I thought it would be good to talk about the filters they offer, first because of the raw power and second, because of some limitations that are important.

All kinds of filtering is possible: include or exclude records from the analysis by referer, url, date and time, ip address, file type, directory and more.

But it's essential to understand that when multiple filters are used, they are combined with an "OR" rule, not with an "and" rule. Unless you are aware of this, your reports may not be telling you what you think they are.

The analysis that Fast Stats performs includes all the log records that fulfill ANY of the filter rules. It is not confined only to records which fulfill ALL the filter rules.

EXAMPLE:
A common filter for me is "Exclude all Spiders". If that is combined with "Include all page hits from directory A" I get all the Directory A page views - EVEN IF THEY CAME FROM SPIDERS! I also get all non-spider hits, even those outside Directory A.

This limitation (given the price, it's understandable) makes it necessary to use other analysis tools as well - especially Excel.

It works for me, but I thought anyone considering which analysis tools to use would appreciate this not-so-fine point.

[krazylegz]

This is NOT true. Mach5 Analyzer does include the functionality to do 'OR' and 'AND' filtering. To set your filters to be 'AND' filters rather than 'OR' filters, simply check the box in the Mach5 Analyzer options (Report->Options) and check the boxes marked "Only include log file records if all include filters are true" and "Only exclude log file records if all include filters are true". Mach5 Analyzer will now do 'AND' filtering rather than 'OR' filtering.

[tedster]

I stand corrected - and gratefully so. It's amazing that I've struggled so long missing this feature!

And welcome to Webmaster World, krazylegz

[Brett_Tabke]

Interesting. I didn't know there was that option either. I use the filters quite often myself - mostly to filter off myself out of logs.

[Reflect]

Hi,

I sent out an invitation to him to look into your findings. I wanted to see the answer myself so it was self motivated, hope that was allright.

Brian

[tedster]

Let me check on one more thing.

As I understand it, this is a GLOBAL option. That is, it changes the way every report works. That's one of the reasons I missed it - I was expecting to tailor each individual report, and you don't access these options from within the report definitions.

If I've got it right, then I'll need to switch my global choices from report to report to get the combinations I intend. But hey, I'm so glad to know it's there!

[tedster]

I sent out an invitation...hope that was allright

Brian, I'm very grateful that you asked about this. Your initiative just made my life easier. As you can tell, I had given up hope long ago!

[krazylegz]

Yes, this is a global option, so you may need to change the global options each time you run a different report. Hopefully, this will be changed in a future version.

[Reflect]

Payback Tedster, payback. Always glad to help out.

Brian