Hello,

You may remember hearing about the LogValidator [1] project being
developed by the QA activity at W3C. This website log analysis (and
validation) tool is entering today a beta test phase, with a tentative
stable release date around the end of March 2003.

[1] http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/Logvalidator/


As a companion to this tool, I have written, with the help of the QA
team and contributor Kim Nylander an article covering the simple ideas
behind this tools, also acting as a tutorial. [2]

[2] http://www.w3.org/QA/2002/09/Step-by-step

The ideas presented in this document are quite simple and could be
summarized as follows:
- if you have many things to do and little time to do it, you start
 with what's most important
- for a webserver, what's more important is what gets more traffic
- analysing your webserver logs can tell you what resources need love
 and caring
- we have developed a flexible tool for that purpose

I believe the Log Validator (with the help of this article) is
potentially a very helpful Web Quality tool. The public-qa-dev
community can help make it possible by:

- Reviewing the tutorial
- Participating in the Public Beta Test for the Log Validator
- Talking about it within the Web Community, inviting people to use
 and review both the tool and its tutorial.

Thank you. olivier.
-- 
Olivier Thereaux - W3C - QA : http://www.w3.org/QA/
http://www.w3.org/People/olivier | http://yoda.zoy.org

"If you have many things to do and little time to do it, you start
with what's most important".

This sounds simple, and infact, it is. This is the idea behind the
"Log Validator" [1], which is being developed by the QA development
Team at W3C.  [1] http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/Logvalidator/



** About Log Validator **

The Log Validator is a Perl library which analyses web server logs,
and run those through modules. This is not a new concept, except that
these modules are Web Quality oriented.  The first module we have
developed is allow the webmaster to clearlyidentify which are the most
popular resources on the server that do not pass (X)HTML validation.
This makes the Log Validator a candidate for validity-conscious
webmasters' best friend.



** BETA TEST **

The Log Validator is currently in beta stage, and this announcement
starts, today and for one month, a beta test period. Candidate release
date for a first stable version is March 28th, 2003.



** Participating to this Beta Test **

How can you participate in the beta test?

- Use it!

Install it, try it, use it, love it or hate it, but be sure to report
about it.

- Review it!

The Log Validator is open source... You think you can improve its
design, its efficiency, fix bugs? Go ahead, come and discuss here,
patch it, report bugs!

- Develop for it!

The Log Validator is flexible and extensible. Anyone can build new
modules, and you're welcome to do so. We have published an API/Guide
for Modules developer [2], it would be a good idea to check it for
potential design flaws, and develop new modules. CSS validation,
metadata, Lexical analysis... Use your imagination?

[2] http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/Logvalidator/API



** References and Contact **

- Log Validator at http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/Logvalidator
   Manual at http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/Logvalidator/Manual
   API at http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/Logvalidator/API
   Tutorial at http://www.w3.org/QA/2002/09/Step-by-step
- comments? : public list at www-validator@w3.org
- bug reports, patch/fix submission : public bugzilla at http://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/


** Acknowledgments **

The following people have contributed in the birth of this Web Quality
Tool: Terje Bless, Karl Dubost, Henri Fallon, Kim Nylander, Olivier
Thereaux, Ville Skyttä, The following people will contribute in making
it a killer Web Quality App: You.


Thank you. olivier.


Olivier Thereaux - W3C - QA : http://www.w3.org/QA/
http://www.w3.org/People/olivier | http://yoda.zoy.org