MinimWatch vs. Browser

[Stake]

My question is probably a stupid one but what does MinimWatch do that isn‘t possible by simply entering the MinimServer page with my browser?

[stefano_mbp]

It’s impossible to view the log …

[Stake]

(17-09-2026 13:59)stefano_mbp Wrote:  It’s impossible to view the log …

I see, thank you.
Though I can access the log files on my NAS from any device I have at hand through other channels.

[Stake]

I‘d really love to get some more info on this.
Currently I honestly fail to see any reason for using MinimWatch.

[simbun]

MinimWatch has been available since launch, whereas the web configurator was introduced in v2 (I believe) as a lightweight alternative (doesn't require Java).

As @stefano_mbp pointed out, the big difference is the log view. Performing the following steps using the command line tools is possible, but it's much more cumbersome: https://forum.minimserver.com/showthread...4#pid54634

For most people the web configurator is all that's needed.

[Stake]

(18-09-2026 15:03)simbun Wrote:  MinimWatch has been available since launch, whereas the web configurator was introduced in v2 (I believe) as a lightweight alternative (doesn't require Java).

As @stefano_mbp pointed out, the big difference is the log view. Performing the following steps using the command line tools is possible, but it's much more cumbersome: https://forum.minimserver.com/showthread...4#pid54634

For most people the web configurator is all that's needed.

Thank you Simbun,

Why would I need the command line tool? I can access the logs and everytihing else using a file explorer.

[simbun]

(18-09-2026 16:47)Stake Wrote:  Why would I need the command line tool? I can access the logs and everytihing else using a file explorer.

Good point. I tend to use either MinimWatch or SSH, but I suppose you could use the web configurator to apply the profile changes (instead of mscript on the command line) and file explorer to view the remote logs - though I don't know how you'd clear the log easily.

I used MinimWatch long before the web configurator was available, so it's my preferred interface.

[Stake]

[quote='simbun' pid='54641' dateline='

- though I don't know how you'd clear the log easily.
[/quote]

You can either simply edit the log files with a text editor or, this is what I do, delete them entirely. I sometimes even delete the database before running a rescan.

[simbun]

(18-09-2026 17:22)Stake Wrote:  [You can either simply edit the log files with a text editor or, this is what I do, delete them entirely. I sometimes even delete the database before running a rescan.

Yes by setting up a read/write network share and altering the logs of live processes (or stop and start every time) it can be done, but why make do?

[Stake]

(18-09-2026 18:46)simbun Wrote:  

(18-09-2026 17:22)Stake Wrote:  [You can either simply edit the log files with a text editor or, this is what I do, delete them entirely. I sometimes even delete the database before running a rescan.

Yes by setting up a read/write network share and altering the logs of live processes (or stop and start every time) it can be done, but why make do?

None of this applies to my out-of-the-box setup on my QNAP NAS.
As an admin I naturally have read/write admission on everything.
I don‘t have to stop/restart MinimServer. I delete the log files and that‘s it. On the next incident it will be created anew.