Recently at work I've had to generate some web site usage statistics and reports from a web server's log files. Here is my review on a couple different tools I've tried out to get the job done.
The first one I tried was Analog. Yeah, it could generate a report, but it was too primitive in its configuration and what it would provide. The numbers weren't bad, but it had the distinct feeling of an an Apache admin tool. It isn't very usable and has a big old manual which you have to RTFM to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. I'm feeling a rant coming on about how support for Open Source Software totally sucks like none other. Breathe... inhale... exhale... that's better.
The next tool I looked at was AWStats. The reports that this tool generates are amazing! I totally thought I had just discovered sliced bread. However, I was told by a coworker to take a closer look at the numbers in order to see if they make sense. Nope. Not even close. I downloaded the Windows version of the tool. It didn't even have .aspx files configured as a page type. Huh? In order to get the numbers to match a little better, I'd have to first parse the log files and rewrite them, doing things like changing .aspx page requests to .asp, and deleting requests for .png images. Give me a break! Yeah, this one was a definite let down. None of us could easily figure how to configure it, so we moved on to other tools.
The last tool I looked at was Funnel Web Analyzer, a tool I was recommended from a friend at Selytics. Wow, this tool isn't too bad. In fact, it is really nice! It has a nice graphical interface, easy-to-use admin and configuration options, beautiful reports, and most importantly, the numbers make sense! So there you go, this is the tool to use. If you have a tool you'd recommend instead, let me know.