A method and system for tracking client software use is disclosed. User
data, specifically user interaction with a client-installed software
application, is collected in data files and the data files are
dynamically uploaded over a global computer system, such as the Internet,
to a remote analysis system. The data files are parsed for on-going
analysis of feature usage. Typically, for any action that a user performs
in the software application, several items are recorded in a data file,
such as a user ID, an absolute time-stamp, the method invoked including
application source (if the software application includes more than one
application), and details such as the dialog invoked, button pressed,
menu used, menu item selected, application launch, application
termination, as well as environment variables, such as operating system,
screen resolution, etc.