[jdl]

This may be so old that everybody knows about it...or so old that nobody remembers it. I have found it handy to track developing problems or to track any event that I think I may need a complete record of. The procedure will create a file where every entry is automatically time and date stamped.

Starting a time and date stamped log with notepad requires the creation of a text file with the extension of LOG or FILENAME.LOG. So first, Right Click with your mouse on the Windows Desktop. Anywhere is fine. This brings up a dialog box. Select "New", then "Text Document".

A new icon will appear on the Desktop named "New Text Document". Rename this by right clicking one time on the text. Select “Rename,” and change the text to any name you wish with an extension of ".LOG" An example would be to change "New Text Document" to read "Phone.LOG". Please note the extension must be in caps. A message will come up stating "If you change a filename extension, the file may become unusable." Select "Yes" and go on.

Now that you have created the Notepad file, double click on the icon, thereby opening the file for the first time. On the first line of Notepad, enter ".LOG". That is period LOG. The letters must be capital letters and no space between the period and LOG. Select, "File" on the "Menu Bar", located on the top left corner. Click once, then click “Exit”. At the save prompt, select "Yes". This will exit the program and save the entry you just made.

To start using the log you just created, just double click on the Phone.LOG icon, opening Notepad. Now it will say the time and date just below the .LOG entry. From this point on you should be able to enter phone calls, messages, etc. below the date. Then exit and save your entry creating a time & dated log.

Each time you open the log in the future, the new entry will be time and date stamped.

You don’t have to start these files on the desktop. They can be started within any file in “Windows Explorer.”

[ChuckE]

The filename extension of the text file does not have to be .LOG
otherwise your info is correct.

It might be handy for your own refference to have it called "something.LOG" but it is not required.
The filename extension only has to be associated with NotePad, as .txt files, and possibly .log files; but it can be others as well.

As you've already mentioned , the first line has to be ".LOG" (do not include the quotes).

[hewee]

http://liquidninja.com/metapad/
They have metapad and Full and LE. No install is needed either but make a folder to unzip it too so you keep the files in one place.
But FAQ says this.

[7] - .LOG files

Q: Is the feature of creating a log file that appends the date and time, a capability in the original Windows Notepad, still available?

A: Yes. Here's How you do it:

1. On the first line of the text file, type the following at the left margin: ".LOG" (in capitals, and without the quotes)
2. Save the document.

Note: Every time you open this document, metapad will append the current time and date, as specified by your computer's clock in the short date format (see previous question), to the end of it.

It works in notepad too. You do not have to name the file log or anything. Just open the file up and and at the very top type .LOG and each time you open the file you will see the date and time like this here 12:25 AM 3/1/05 If you open it and do not type anything it will still ask if you want to save so say yes if you want the new date added or no if you was only wanting to read it and no add the date to it again

So try it with note pad. Also the free metapad is nice so check it out.

I just did it and open and closed it and save the file each time and it looks like this.

.LOG
12:18 AM 3/1/05

12:19 AM 3/1/05

12:19 AM 3/1/05

12:25 AM 3/1/05

12:32 AM 3/1/05

I could of typed what ever each time but I would alway have the date and time I opened the file now.

[jdl]

Originally Posted by ChuckE

The filename extension of the text file does not have to be .LOG

Thanks ChuckE, I stand corrected. Your improvement makes it easier to start a ".LOG"