Using TextPad editor for Log files

[Bob Hansen]

I have made many enhancement requests in the past, and most have been implemented. One that has not yet made it is to have the ability to choose another editor for Log files. We do have the option to use a different script editor, but cannot do the same thing for log files.

For years I have used TextPad in conjunction with Macro Scheduler. I have used TextPad as an alternate script editor and have my own syntax file, clip library, and other tools. TextPad and Macro Scheduler are my two "cannot live without" tools.

Well, today, I found an AddOn for TextPad that forces any program that calls Notepad to call up TextPad instead. I just tried it out on my copy of Macro Scheduler, clicked on an icon to read/edit a log file, and TextPad opened up instead of Notepad. With a much richer set of tools, RegEx Searches, etc.

This TextPad AddOn is available here: http://www.textpad.com/add-ons/index.html

There are a few variations depending on OS and versions of TextPad. I use "Txplink XP" for use on a XP PRO system with SP2 installed.

So, until the option to select Log file editor is provided, this will take care of the issue for users of TextPad. More info about TextPad features available at http://www.textpad.com/products/textpad/features.html

NOTE: They do mention a macro utility as a feature. Forget about it. I use Macrro Scheduler to do the macros in TextPad. Theirs is extremely limited, Can only be recorded, cannot be edited, no variables, even clipboard values end up being hardcoded, so there is no flexibility. But that is the only drawback. Also recommend using the older version 4.73 vs. the recently released version 5.x. My personal choice is to stay with the older one until some newer issues get resolved.

PS Tried to post in Tips, but for Admins only.

[jpuziano]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for posting this, much appreciated.

Until this enhancement request gets implimented, this does the trick, for TextPad user anyway.

If anyone finds a way to do something similar with another editor, please share.

[jpuziano]

Hi Marcus and Bob,

After some fiddling with regedit, I added a new string value called LogViewer, set it equal to C:\Program Files\TED Notepad\TedNPad.exe to test and now log files come up in this editor, works like a charm.

Next I checked the help file, searched for "log" and found the following help topic:

View Log File

If the selected macro has a log file assigned to it, this option will display that log file in Notepad.

That will not be true if a user has changed it... however on looking through Help, I couldn't find any instructions on how to do this. Could we get some text added to the "View Log File" Help Topic along these lines?

View Log File

If the selected macro has a log file assigned to it, this option will display that log file in Notepad.

As of version 9.2.01 - October, 2007, you can change the log file viewer from the default (Notepad) to an editor of your choice by manually adding a registry value (Set HKCU\Software\MJTNET\MSched - LogViewer)

Sorry, don't mean to be a complainer, just want to make sure that two years from now, someone wondering if they can change the default Log File viewer... can find information on how to do this in the Help File.

Thanks again Marcus for adding this feature... as always... much appreciated.

Edit: Bob, I had seen your reply saying your request was no longer needed and thanking Marcus for adding the ability to set the Log File viewer via a registry entry. I posted the above reply and when I went back to view it, I noticed your post had dissappeared. Did you delete it? If my post somehow over-wrote yours, my apologies... JP

[Bob Hansen]

I noticed in the History info that this feature was now available. I just installed the latest version, but have not had a chance to try that out yet.

Thanks for the instructions. At this point I probably won't know if it works without undoing the TextPad AddOn. That made a global change for all instances of Notepad, so I want to keep that for other programs that don't have this feature. But I can use this on some of my accounts that have not done that.

I just added the registry value anyway. Just a note that LogViewer is Case Sensitive value. Should be mentioned with the Help information.
Would like to see this as a checkbox option on Tools/Options vs. having to manually make registry changes, but this is much better for now. At least it exists.

Thanks Marcus for making this available for us. Much appreciated.

[Marcus Tettmar]

This registry setting was squeezed in to 9.2 at the last moment as a bonus. There has only ever been one request for it - from Bob. We couldn't justify modifying the UI to accommodate an extra option for this point release. But it will no doubt be there in the next full version. Help file too.

[Bob Hansen]

Aw shucks, thanks. There's nothing like special treatment.

My recent posting was not a request. Request had been made a few times over the past years and never showed up. Rather than nagging, I accepted that other features were more important. That is why the workaround posting.

But I really do appreciate it. I like the benefits of being able to do Regular Expression searches, sort by column, having syntax highlighting, etc.

[jpuziano]

This registry setting was squeezed in to 9.2 at the last moment as a bonus. There has only ever been one request for it - from Bob.

I had thought this would be nice as well but never posted to that effect. And I'm thinking, there's probably others that use log files but either didn't see Bob's original posting or didn't post to support his request. Serves us right I suppose. I'll have to take some time and go through the existing requests in the Enhancement Suggestions forum and chime in if the request strikes a chord.

We couldn't justify modifying the UI to accommodate an extra option for this point release.

Understand, this was a nice bonus, thanks for throwing it in. I hope a good percentage of MS users that already use log files take advantage of this.

But it will no doubt be there in the next full version. Help file too.

Excellent, that will ensure any user will be able to easily specify a Log File viewer of their choice.

Aw shucks, thanks. There's nothing like special treatment.

Well Bob, if anyone around here deserves a little special treatment, it would be you (IMHO). At 1809 posts, only Marcus has posted more often than you.

My recent posting was not a request. Request had been made a few times over the past years and never showed up. Rather than nagging, I accepted that other features were more important. That is why the workaround posting.

Yes, thanks for the workaround and for taking the time to update this post now that there's a registry method of doing this.

But I really do appreciate it. I like the benefits of being able to do Regular Expression searches, sort by column, having syntax highlighting, etc.

Sounds good, especially the Regular Expression searches. Is every case unique for you or do you have some generic types of searches you often do on log files that might interest others in these new abilities?

[Bob Hansen]

Is every case unique for you or do you have some generic types of searches you often do on log files that might interest others in these new abilities?

Well every case is different. I usually only need the log when there is trouble. But with TextPad, for example, I can strip all the lines that do not include variable %abc% for example. Or perhaps only look at every 30th line, or only look at lines that contain a specific word or value. Can be much easier than scrolling through thousands of lines looking for one particular value. I can use the Clip Library to "one-click" insert some preformatted comments, etc.

I use TextPad and Macro Scheduler as my two "cannot live without" utilities. I recently posted on TextPad forum suggesting that a user should look at Macro Scheduler to overcome their macro shortcomings. The very next day he posted that he just purchased Macro Scheduler!

And it's easy to get many postings, just keep posting: "Great idea, I agree with the previous posting!"
Won't be long, anyyone could have 1000 in a month or less.

But let me take this opportunity to say Thank You to jpuziano for all the great support and ideas that you have contributed. I learn more about Macro Scheduler every day because of your efforts. Keep up the good work. You and JRL and Marcus and Me_again are super, extra benefits of purchasing Macro Scheduler. And there are many other great ideas and support here from too many people to name specifically.

[JRL]

Great idea, I agree with the previous posting!


Sorry... I couldn't help myself


Seriously, this is a fantastic forum with amazing help. It was this way long before I posted for the first time. Marcus and Bob deserve a great deal of the credit. There is a community here and many very good contributions.

[Me_again]

JRL has said it better than I ever could...

[pgriffin]

hmm....Was Bob's first macro written to create posts on MJTNET Forums???