Which log for which information? Gathering multilingual data from different log file types

Abstract

In this paper, a comparative analysis of different log file types and their potential for gathering information about user behavior in a multilingual information system is presented. It starts with a discussion of potential questions to be answered in order to form an appropriate view of user needs and requirements in a multilingual information environment and the possibilities of gaining this information from log files. Based on actual examples from the Europeana portal, we compare and contrast different types of log files and the information gleaned from them. We then present the Europeana Clickstream Logger, which logs and gathers extended information on user behavior, and show first examples of the data collection possibilities. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.