mTAIL

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What is mTAIL ?

mTAIL is a Windows Program that works like the Unix Command TAIL.
It's free, no ads, no pubs, no DLL... so enjoy !

Click to enlarge !
All ideas to improve mTAIL are welcome !

Download

Current version : v1.9.20 (11-07-2021) [MM-DD-YYYY]

Download the program : mTAIL

Download sample Color Coding Ini : mTAIL_cc.ini
Download the documentation [outdated] (pdf) : mTAIL v1.8.12 documentation

Previous versions can be downloaded from the Revision History

If you want to support mTAIL, you can donate :

mTAIL is FREE and distributed without cost (see notice below).

If you want to support mTAIL in a profitable business environment, you can register mTAIL using the corporate/professional PayPal Link below (you will get by eMail your registration code). The donation is 20,00 EUR (aprox. $22,00 USD).

The registration code should arrive within a working day by eMail. If not, please let me know.

Corporate License is a Lifetime Donation License. Yes, donate for the program only the first time and get all new versions for FREE.

If you want to register mTAIL for a corporate/professional use, you can donate for a license :
Registration Name
Registration eMail
Corporate/professional 10 licenses PACK (25% donation discount):
Registration Name
Registration eMail
Corporate/professional 25 licenses PACK (37.5% donation discount):
Registration Name
Registration eMail
Corporate/professional 50 licenses PACK (50% donation discount):
Registration Name
Registration eMail

Registration Name will appear on mTAIL caption bar. Registration eMail is used to send "new version" notification.

mTAIL revision history (MM-DD-YYYY)

# = comment
+ = new feature
* = improved feature
! = fixed bug
- = removed feature

v1.9.20 build 1032 (08-08-2021)
! Fix a nasty bug when file alarm not triggered after a file change (thks to Brice-Olivier)

v1.9.19 build 1030 (06-30-2021)
* mTail tray icon is now grayed when inactive
! Fix display bug in the File Manager (thks to Brice-Olivier)

v1.9.18 build 1029 (03-18-2021)
* mTail tray icon is now grayed when inactive
+ Right-clicking on the full path above the tail zone opens a menu to copy path/filename to clipboard (thks to Manfred.)
+ Alert mails now have the file or alias in the subject (to allow easy sorting)
+ Alert mails can include a usertext (
to allow easy sorting)

v1.9.17 build 1026 (09-25-2020)
* mTail tray icon is now grayed when inactive
+ New command line option /quitall allows to quit all mTail instance (thks to Michiel W.)
! Fixed sound alerts not playing, and rare access violation after playing some sounds (thks to Chris W.)
! Fixed some color coding problem when default was on "- LEAVE -" mode

v1.9.15 build 1011 (10-03-2019)
! Fixed recursive search bug with wildcard in directory name

v1.9.15 build 1009 (09-09-2019)
+ You can now specify a search depth when mTail search for a file. 0 is the current directory level, 1 will search one level below, and so on. This is very convenient when logs are placed in subdir. Thx to Brice-Olivier for this idea.
* When filtering "show line before" and "show line after" options are now "show line before or after". The spinbox alloys now the switch between before (negative values) and after (positive values). Thx to Manfred for this idea.
! Some message dialogs were in French instead in English.
! mTail now include W10 manifest. This should fix bad OS reporting in the info window

! Force to minimum mTail window size when size is missing

v1.9.12 build 1002 (03-06-2019)
* The filter is now displayed in the tail manager popup to easily select same file with different filter
! Fix a bug selecting the wrong line when double clicking in the tail manager popup (thx to Andrew)
! The Tail button in the popup works now as expected (thx to Andrew)

v1.9.11 build 997 (09-01-2019)
! Fix a bug preventing previous line of the alert to be sent
+ Add a global parameter to save the Alert window position (default is not saved)
+ Add parameters to customize alert cmd and number of line by file
* Change the File Manager file oganisation
panel with Tabs

v1.9.10 build 992 (09-12-2018)
+ Add the possibility to add previous lines in Alert email (thks to Gareth for the idea). Default is 3.
+ Add the possibility to test sound files in the Alert Parameters
! Fix of some Alert sound playing issue (please test the sound with the new feature above)

! Error when closing mTail in some specific situation should be fixed

v1.9.8 build 988 (05-04-2017)
+ New general parameter to allow/prevent main application exit by ESC key
+ File path now accept environment variable between % (ex : %appdata%/*.* or %temp%/log*.txt)

v1.9.6 build 971 (02-24-2016)
! Many parameters problems fixed

# more internal changes for multitab coming in v2.0

v1.9.3 build 895 (12-31-2014)
* ESC char now works only when mTail is active (that prevents unwanted closing :-)
* New command line /finv to invert filter and /ontop to put mTail on top
+ you can now tail from 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% or from end of the file. This is very useful to see, for example, the header of a big file: Put 0% to see the header, go back to 100% to tail. To set this position, right-click on the status pane displaying the "lines read".

v1.9.1 build 879 (12-12-2013) - Limited diffusion
* Alert feature now in File Manager (some Alert parameters could be lost and should re-entered)
+ Alert by mail can be buffered to avoid Alert Spaming
* mTail.ini now only write non-empty fields to reduce his size
! Filter and alarm fileds in File Manager are now set when tailing

v1.9.0 build 856 (10-02-2013)
+ New command line option /finv invert the filter
# update to Delphi XE4
# more and more internal changes for multitab coming in v2.0

Old versions history

 

... Future v2.00 : in [very slow] progress, time is missing

- New easy Read Buffer handling
- Highly configurable alert manager
- No more registry, all stuff in INI
- May be multitab !
- Sending mails throught TSL

I work on mTAIL in my spare time. I'm not a professional nor a business... so be patient and indulgent, I do my best to include new features ;-)
As time is missing more and more, I will put source code on GIT later during this year.

FAQ

Q : mTAIL is consuming to much network bandwidth when tailing on a netshare. How can I fix that ?
R : You can use activate "Fast read" option in File manager / Default Manager parameters / Default Read settings. When Fast read is on, mTAIL only read the file content when the last modification date change. You can also activate "Auto Timer" to further reduce the bandwidth !

Q : Is mTAIL Section508 compliant ?
R : Sorry no ! But mTAIL has many accessibility feature (like automatic high contrast, big font...). If someone can help me to be Section508 compliant... you are welcome.

Q : Do I need a licence for governement departement ?
R : No... mTAIL is free (see Legal Notice). But, sure, you can donate if you want to support mTAIL :-)

Q: How do I simply filter lines with text (uppercase/lowercase)
R : Just add (?i) before the text to filter. For exemple, (?i)mtail will filter all lines containing mtail without taken care of the case (ie mTAIL, mTaIl, Mtail...)


Legal Notice

By making a donation to the mTAIL project you signify that you acknowledged, understood, accepted, and agreed to the terms and conditions contained in this notice. Your donation is voluntary and is not a fee for any services, goods, or advantages, and making a donation to the mTAIL project does not entitle you to any services, goods, or advantages. We have the right to use the money you donate to the mTAIL project in any lawful way and for any lawful purpose we see fit and we are not obligated to disclose the way and purpose to any party unless required by applicable law. Although mTAIL is free software, to our best knowledge the mTAIL project does not have any tax exempt status (the mTAIL project is neither a registered non-profit corporation nor a registered charity in any country). Your donation is non-refundable.
(legal notice inspired from the wonderful TrueCrypt Project legal notice).

   

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Olivier PHILIPP

Dernière mise à jour : 07.11.2021 10:11