Library Link Usage Tracker

This repository contains scripts for tracking how many times a specific link is accessed on Windows, macOS, and Linux. These scripts log each access to a local file and then open the specified link in the default web browser.

Purpose

The purpose of these scripts is to provide a simple, local method for logging link accesses without needing to run scripts on the website itself. This can be useful for public libraries or other institutions that need to track the usage of resources.

Instructions

Windows

Setup

1. Create a batch script file:

   @echo off
   set logFile=%userprofile%\Documents\link_usage_log.txt
   echo %date% %time% >> %logFile%
   start "" "http://your-weblink.com"

2. Save this file as log_and_open_link.bat.

3. Create a shortcut to the batch script:

   • Right-click on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
   • Browse to the log_and_open_link.bat file and select it.
   • Name the shortcut "Are you in need?" and click Finish.

4. Replace the existing link shortcut with this new shortcut.

Usage

• Double-click the "Are you in need?" shortcut on the desktop to open the link and log the access.

macOS

Setup

1. Create a shell script file:

   #!/bin/bash
   logFile="$HOME/Documents/link_usage_log.txt"
   echo "$(date)" >> "$logFile"
   open "http://your-weblink.com"

2. Save this file as log_and_open_link.sh and make it executable:

   chmod +x ~/log_and_open_link.sh

3. Create an Automator application:

   • Open Automator and select Application.
   • Add a Run Shell Script action with the script path:

     ~/log_and_open_link.sh

   • Save the application as "Are you in need?" and place it on the desktop.

Usage

• Double-click the "Are you in need?" application on the desktop to open the link and log the access.

Linux

Setup

1. Create a shell script file:

   #!/bin/bash
   logFile="$HOME/Documents/link_usage_log.txt"
   echo "$(date)" >> "$logFile"
   xdg-open "http://your-weblink.com"

2. Save this file as log_and_open_link.sh and make it executable:

   chmod +x ~/log_and_open_link.sh

3. Create a desktop entry file:

   [Desktop Entry]
   Version=1.0
   Name=Are you in need?
   Comment=Open the resource link and log usage
   Exec=/home/yourusername/log_and_open_link.sh
   Icon=utilities-terminal
   Terminal=false
   Type=Application

4. Save this file as Are_you_in_need.desktop on the desktop and make it executable:

   chmod +x ~/Desktop/Are_you_in_need.desktop

Usage

• Double-click the "Are you in need?" desktop shortcut to open the link and log the access.

Log File

The log file link_usage_log.txt is stored in the Documents directory of the user's home folder. It records the date and time each time the link is accessed.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please submit a pull request or open an issue to discuss changes.

License

This project is licensed under the Creative Commons License. See the LICENSE file for details.