[EHPweb] google analytics

[Jeremy M Fee]

Hi,

I see loading delays occasionally, and maybe am just used to them so I'm not as frustrated.  Scott also notices delays sometimes.  Either we're lucky and they happen rarely, or most public users don't report problems.  It certainly isn't affecting only our sites, and is the nature of Google Analytics which is free.


If we want to change the status quo, we have a few options:


Other Javascript analytics - these capture many users that don't appear in server logs because they are behind proxies/caches which service many users (an entire company that sets up a web proxy may appear as one hit, even though many of its employees view a page).

	Chartbeat is a new analytics company that provides even more detailed usage than analytics, but sends even more data from users.  It may be less obtrusive to users depending on how the data is sent.  It might enable features like "what's popular right now on our site".  Around $150/month.
		http://chartbeat.com/

	This site has several others: http://blog.webdistortion.com/2009/04/06/5-refreshing-alternatives-to-google-analytics/


Non-Javascript analytics - from server logs.  May miss many users (see above), but are the least obtrusive.

	Natweb currently processes the Level3 CDN logs for us using analog.  Free.
		http://natweb.usgs.gov/otherwww_stats/earthquake/

	Process Level3 CDN logs ourselves.  The cost of software + a person to set this up +  any maintenance.
		Pick your apache log analysis software.

	Enable Level3 analytics.  Around $10,000 per month.  Since this would be USGS wide, we may only need to pay part of the bill.



Thanks,

Jeremy



On Jul 19, 2010, at 12:05 PM, Lisa A Wald wrote:

> If this is still a potential problem, please talk to Stan Silverman about it while you're there.
> - Lisa
> ------
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: sasilverman at comcast.net
> Date: July 9, 2010 10:23:27 AM MDT
> To: lisa at usgs.gov
> Cc: jfee at usgs.gov
> Subject: google analytics
> 
> hi lisa/jeremy (don't have your email address at home)
> 
> i just tried the earthquake site (from home) -- california nevada map loaded half way and then froze transferring stuff from google analytics -- after 30 seconds  i refreshed the image and it loaded
> 
> i still think it needs more investigation ...
> 
> stan
> 

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