ZedLog

Table of Contents

Basics

Saving Logs

Advanced



About ZedLog

ZedLog is a robust cross-platform input logging tool (AKA a key logger). It is based on a flexible data logging system which makes it easy to get the required data. The current features include the following;

License

Copyright © 2013 Zachary Scott <zscott.dev@gmail.com>

This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program. If not, see www.gnu.org.



The Basics

Getting Started

When you first start ZedLog you will be presented with the following screen. This is the main screen from which all functions are available, such as adding/removing loggers.

Adding a Logger

To add a logger click the [Add] button on the screen (or the Loggers > Add Logger menu) which will bring up the following dialog;

Select the logger type from the drop down list and press [Okay] to add it to ZedLog. Once you have added the logger it will automatically start logging, like so:

Multiple loggers can be added in this way to produce a customised 'composite' logger, which compiles all log data together.

Viewing Logged Data

The logged data can be viewed on the main window. The default logger is the previously mentioned 'composite' logger, which displays all logged data. Such as below:

Each logger also has its own tab in the main window which will display the data from that logger only. Such as the following;


Clearing the Logged Data

The data currently held in the logger can be cleared by pressing the [Clear] button on the main window (or the Loggers > Clear menu). Like so;

NOTE: A word of warning; the data is cleared permenantly (i.e. there is no way to get it back unles you have set a log file) and ZedLog will not ask you if thats what you want. It will just unmercifuly delete all your data!

Removing a Logger

An unwanted logger can be removed simply by selecting the loggers tab and pressing the remove button (or the Loggers > Remove Logger in the menu).

Pausing

The logging can be paused, so that events are not recorded (temporarily of course). Like so;

Recording can be resumed by pressing the [Record] button (the same button), like so;



Saving Logs

Saving a Log to File

The logged data can be saved to a file in two ways. Firstly the currently logged data can be saved by selecting File > Save in the menu and choosing the file. Like so;

NOTE: This produced file is a human readabe log file, which CANNOT be opened the same way as the log files produced via the method below.

Set Log File

The second way is to set a log file, which automatically saves the log data. This allows for the log to be saved without explicitly saving the file. The log file is set by selecting File > Set Log File in the menu, like so;

Open Log File

You can also open a saved log file by selecting File > Open Log File in the menu, like so;



Advanced

Hiding ZedLog

ZedLog has a handy feature which allows you to 'hide' it while still logging. This can be done by pressing the [Hide] button main window.

To bring the ZedLog window back you have to middle click (that is the mouse wheel) in the far upper left corner of the screen. This trick can also be used to quickly hide ZedLog aswell.

Replay Simulation Tool

ZedLog also now provides a replay simulation tool, which allows for the logged events to be simulated. That is it will replay the recorded actions. The replay tool can be started by selecting Tools > Replay Events and you will be presented with the following screen;

Clicking the [Run] button will simulate the events as fast as possible, while the [Run Timed] will run the simulation with the same timing as the original events.

Note that you can also stop the simulation by pressing the button again.

A Good, General Configuration

Below is an example configuration which will provide all of the necessary keyboard and mouse events to simulate a normal session. Just as a point of reference.

Keyboard/Mouse Shortcuts

Function Shortcut
Show Help F1
Add Logger Ctrl + Plus
Remove Logger Ctrl + Minus
Save Log Ctrl + S
Set Log File Ctrl + Shift + S
Open Log File Ctrl + O
Replay Simulation Tool Ctrl + R
Show/Hide ZedLog Middle click (mouse) in top left corner of screen.
Quit Ctrl + Q


Copyright © 2013, Zachary Scott <zscott.dev@gmail.com>