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Merge files - is the result a real file or some type of virtual file?

Indy — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:11:34 GMT

New user evaluating the program.

When I merge a bunch of log files into one - is that an actual file saved somewhere? If so, where is it located?

If not, I'm assuming it is some type of virtual merge of the file for use only within the program. Is that correct? If so, probably cannot be saved to disk?

Thanks,

RE: Merge files - is the result a real file or some type of virtual file?

LogViewPlus Support — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:11:34 GMT

Hi Indy,

I just wanted to let you know that we have now released LogViewPlus 3.1.14 as a BETA release. This release introduces a new Selection Toolbar which appears only when multiple log files or filters are selected. Hopefully, this toolbar will help resolve some of the confusion around which commands are possible when multi-select is used.

Hope that helps,

Toby

RE: Merge files - is the result a real file or some type of virtual file?

LogViewPlus Support — Mon, 27 May 2024 09:06:04 GMT

> Sometimes the files would be merged immediately and sometimes I would get the dialog box to merge

When using the context menu, the user intent is clear. It is easy to understand what you want to merge, so the dialog seems unnecessary. Using the toolbar feels more like the user went out of their way to use the toolbar. Why? Maybe to select additional files or to provide a file name?

I can see where it's a little weird, but I think the different behavior is justified. The alternative is to probably show the dialog when using the context menu as then behaviour is consistent. That takes more steps, but it has the advantage of being more consistent.

> In the resulting dialog boxes for those tools have a clear indication as to what file is being acted upon

That's a great point. I will review this before the next release. Thanks for highlighting this!

> disabling (greying out) those buttons when multiple files are selected

This is a good idea. We had reasons why it is implemented as it is, but I can see how the current implentation could cause confusion for new users. I will take a closer look and see if there is an easy solution. If not, it might be better to improve how we indicate which file has focus. This might help users understand the target of the toolbar actions.

> don't allow multiple files to be selected if the majority of buttons/commands only act upon one file

This is how LogViewPlus worked for years. We had feedback from users asking for multi-select to make it easier to merge files, etc - and I think the feature makes sense. It's hard to please everyone. :)

Thanks again! I will take a look and post back here when a BETA release is available.

Toby

RE: Merge files - is the result a real file or some type of virtual file?

Indy — Sun, 26 May 2024 19:38:39 GMT

Ah, now I understand why I had experienced different merge functionality. Sometimes the files would be merged immediately and sometimes I would get the dialog box to merge - I didn't connect that difference to whether I was using the context menu or the toolbar button.

Initially, since it let me select multiple files I was fully expecting the view to dynamically show me the contents of the selected files. But it appears that multiple selected files are mainly acted upon by commands in the context menu.

But, to me at least, it was confusing that multiple selected files were NOT acted upon by toolbar buttons such as 'Export Log Entries' and 'Transform Text'. Some suggestions that probably would have helped me while I was figuring things out:
1) In the resulting dialog boxes for those tools have a clear indication as to what file is being acted upon
2) or, disabling (greying out) those buttons when multiple files are selected
3) or, don't allow multiple files to be selected if the majority of buttons/commands only act upon one file

Thanks for your help and and I appreciate that you actively seek feedback.

RE: Merge files - is the result a real file or some type of virtual file?

LogViewPlus Support — Sun, 26 May 2024 15:58:20 GMT

Thanks for the feedback.

We have tried to make LogViewPlus as easy to use as possible, but it does have a learning curve. I would love to decrease that curve and as a new user you're the perfect person to provide this kind of feedback. Much appreciated.

That said, I am not sure what we can do to improve things in this case. When you select multiple files, we draw a focus box around the target log file. All commands will be executed against this file:

The biggest advantage of selecting multiple files is that you can merge them more quickly using the context menu:

Maybe if we changed the file icon, that would help? Maybe if we used an arrow, or something like that?

That might confuse things as the file icon can have different meanings, but the multi-select state is intended to be temporary. Hmmm....

RE: Merge files - is the result a real file or some type of virtual file?

Indy — Sun, 26 May 2024 14:45:57 GMT

Thank you Toby - I was able to get the merged file exported.

One usability issue that threw me off for awhile (admittedly as a new user who hasn't watched any of the videos) - the UI lets me select multiple log files on the left and I assumed that:
1) selecting multiple files would display all the entries from them - that doesn't seem to be correct
2) other actions such as Export... would act on those selected files - that doesn't seem to be correct either

The program is more than capable for the simple analysis that I want to do - I think all of the flexibility and functionality is tripping me up on the simple things (since I haven't watched the videos yet). Feels like learning how to drive a semi to go to the grocery store - I'll get there but it won't be pretty the first few times. :)

RE: Merge files - is the result a real file or some type of virtual file?

LogViewPlus Support — Sun, 26 May 2024 09:23:57 GMT

Hi Indy,

Thanks for taking the time to evaluate LogViewPlus.

You are correct - merged files exist only in memory. If you want to save this view, you can export the log entries.

From your description, it sounds like you want to export the log entries in their original format. This is implemented as a save option type:

Hope that helps,

Toby