Fixing Kedro Telemetry: Tracking Dataset Views Post-Migration

by Alex Johnson 62 views

Have you noticed a dip in your Kedro documentation insights lately? It appears that after migrating our documentation to mkdocs, the telemetry system, which diligently tracked dataset views, has taken a bit of a nap. This means we're missing out on valuable information about which documentation pages are most helpful to our users. Let's dive into why this is important and how we can get things back on track.

The Importance of Telemetry

Telemetry tracking is more than just a fancy feature; it's the backbone of understanding how users interact with our documentation. By monitoring which pages are viewed most often, we gain insights into:

  • Popular Features: Which aspects of Kedro are users most interested in?
  • Knowledge Gaps: Where are users struggling and seeking clarification?
  • Content Effectiveness: Is our documentation clear, concise, and helpful?

Understanding these factors allows us to prioritize documentation improvements, refine our features, and ultimately enhance the user experience. Without accurate telemetry data, we're essentially flying blind, making it difficult to make informed decisions about the future of Kedro.

Why Track Dataset Views?

Dataset views are a particularly valuable metric. Datasets are a core component of Kedro, representing the data that flows through your pipelines. By knowing which dataset documentation pages are most popular, we can:

  • Identify commonly used datasets.
  • Improve documentation for those frequently accessed datasets.
  • Understand how users are managing and manipulating their data.

This information helps us ensure that the documentation surrounding data handling is top-notch, reducing confusion and improving productivity for Kedro users. Think of it as having a direct line to understanding the data challenges our community faces.

The Impact of the Migration

The migration to mkdocs was a significant step forward for our documentation, bringing numerous benefits in terms of organization, readability, and maintainability. However, it seems that this transition inadvertently disrupted our telemetry setup. As the provided image indicates, there's a noticeable drop in user activity around the time of the migration, suggesting that we stopped collecting data on page views.

This drop in user data presents a problem. We can no longer reliably track which parts of the documentation are being used. This is why we need to address this issue promptly and re-establish our telemetry tracking.

Diagnosing the Issue

Before we can fix the problem, we need to understand why telemetry stopped working after the mkdocs migration. Here are some potential causes to investigate:

  1. Configuration Errors: The telemetry configuration might not have been correctly transferred or updated during the migration.
  2. Scripting Issues: Any custom scripts or plugins responsible for collecting telemetry data might be incompatible with the new mkdocs environment.
  3. Missing Dependencies: Necessary libraries or dependencies required for telemetry might be missing in the mkdocs setup.
  4. Tracking Code Problems: The tracking code embedded in our documentation pages might need adjustments to function correctly with mkdocs.

To start, let’s check the current configuration and make sure that the telemetry settings are properly set up for mkdocs. We'll need to compare the current configuration to the pre-migration configuration to see if any parameters are missing or incorrect.

Steps to Diagnose the Issue

  1. Review Telemetry Configuration: Carefully examine the telemetry configuration files to ensure all settings are accurate and compatible with mkdocs.
  2. Inspect JavaScript Code: Review any JavaScript code responsible for tracking page views to identify potential issues.
  3. Check Browser Console: Use the browser's developer console to look for any errors or warnings related to telemetry.
  4. Test Tracking Manually: Manually trigger page views and check if the telemetry system is recording them.

Re-enabling Telemetry: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once we've identified the root cause of the problem, we can move on to re-enabling telemetry. Here's a detailed guide to get you started:

1. Verify Telemetry Configuration

Start by ensuring that your telemetry configuration is correctly set up for mkdocs. This usually involves checking configuration files and settings related to data collection and transmission. Key things to look for include:

  • API Keys: Ensure your API keys are valid and correctly configured.
  • Tracking Domains: Verify that the tracking domains are properly set up to match your documentation site.
  • Data Collection Endpoints: Double-check that the data collection endpoints are correct and accessible.

Make sure the configuration files are correctly placed in the mkdocs directory structure, and that mkdocs is correctly referencing them.

2. Update Tracking Scripts

If the issue lies with the tracking scripts, you may need to update them to be compatible with mkdocs. This could involve modifying the JavaScript code that collects page view data or adjusting how the data is sent to the telemetry server. Key steps include:

  • Ensure Compatibility: Make sure your tracking scripts are compatible with the mkdocs environment.
  • Update Syntax: Adjust any outdated or deprecated syntax in your scripts.
  • Handle Events: Ensure your scripts correctly handle page view events in mkdocs.

Test the scripts in a development environment before deploying them to the live documentation.

3. Install Missing Dependencies

Missing dependencies can often be a cause of telemetry failure. Ensure that all necessary libraries and plugins are installed and correctly configured. Common dependencies might include:

  • Telemetry Libraries: Install any required telemetry libraries, such as Google Analytics or Mixpanel.
  • mkdocs Plugins: Add any mkdocs plugins that facilitate telemetry tracking.
  • Data Handling Libraries: Ensure that libraries for handling data collection and transmission are installed.

Make sure to follow the installation instructions provided by the library or plugin documentation.

4. Test Thoroughly

After making any changes, it's essential to test the telemetry system thoroughly to ensure it's working correctly. Use the browser's developer tools to check for any errors, and verify that page view data is being recorded in your telemetry dashboard. Specific testing steps include:

  • Manual Testing: Manually navigate through the documentation and check if page views are recorded.
  • Automated Testing: Set up automated tests to simulate user interactions and verify data collection.
  • Real-time Monitoring: Monitor the telemetry dashboard in real-time to confirm that data is being received.

Long-Term Maintenance and Best Practices

Re-enabling telemetry is just the first step. To ensure long-term success, it's important to establish maintenance routines and follow best practices.

Regular Monitoring

Continuously monitor the telemetry system to identify and address any issues promptly. Set up alerts to notify you of significant drops in data collection or unexpected errors.

Keep Dependencies Up-to-Date

Regularly update your telemetry libraries, plugins, and scripts to ensure compatibility and security. Staying up-to-date will help prevent future issues and keep your telemetry system running smoothly.

Review and Refine

Periodically review your telemetry configuration and data collection methods to ensure they align with your goals. Adjust your tracking strategies as needed to capture the most valuable insights.

Document Everything

Maintain detailed documentation of your telemetry setup, including configuration settings, scripts, and troubleshooting steps. This will help you and your team quickly resolve any issues that arise.

Conclusion

Re-establishing telemetry tracking for dataset views after the mkdocs migration is crucial for understanding user behavior and improving Kedro documentation. By carefully diagnosing the issue, following our step-by-step guide, and implementing long-term maintenance practices, we can ensure that we have the data we need to make informed decisions and provide the best possible experience for our users. Let's get those insights flowing again!

For more information on web analytics and telemetry best practices, check out this article on Google Analytics Best Practices.