Event Log Explorer

Overall Opinion: Windows comes native with the Event Viewer - a tool allowing you to track the major events logged by your computer. But for system administrators and individuals looking for more control over how their system operates, this is often too limited to properly meet their needs. The Event Log Explorer greatly speeds up the process of analyzing and compiling event and provides you with a wealth of additional resources to help you better track, manage, and make sense of the events your computer undergoes. The first thing users will notice when opening up the Event Log Explorer is how clean and simple the interface is. There's little in the way of flash here, with the developer instead opting for a design that reflects the basic sensibilities of the Windows OS. It's a smart choice for a program like this, designed as it is explicitly to improve the productivity and efficiency of the system. Panels can be adjusted by the user to present the necessary information in a way that best works for them, and accordion style directories and files mean there won't be piles of unnecessary clutter on your screen as you search for the events and information you're in pursuit of. For system administrators, access can be further extended to a workgroup or an entire office network. You don't need to be a technical wiz to gain access to this functionality, as clearly stated step-by-step instructions can guide first time users through the entire process. Support is included for a wide variety of server types, including Windows NT workstations and servers, domain controllers (PDC, BDC), standalone, terminal and SQL servers. Once you've set up Event Log Explorer, you'll be able to access local and remote logs instantly without having to sort through a variety of menus. A neat outlay of all the computers in your network are available directly through the main screen, and you can access them with a simple click. From here, users have all the aspects of the event log at their fingertips. Multiple filtering options help you when you're looking for specific information. One of the more helpful options is the ability to create filtering templates. That means if you're looking for information relevant to security or networking efficiency, all you have to do is pull up the template to get the information you're looking for neatly outlined. Event Log Explorer will find the most use from IT teams and administrators, and the program is scaled to allow tracking on a larger scale. Exporting the information from your logs is simple, and exporting options include XML, HTML, and Excel as well as others. Easily transfer and information from your logs to create regular reports or convert them to a searchable database.

Pros: Streamlined design makes information easily searchable and accessible Support for a wide variety of server types Highly customizable and flexible to the demands of specific users

Cons: Simple, archaic design interface is great for productivity but boring Replicates a number of services already available through the Windows OS Of limited value to anyone who doesn't demand intricate control over their machine's operations