Log files are usually the first place to look when there is a problem with your computer. More often than not, you get a wealth of information from the log files. Unfortunately, though, users seem to be unfamiliar with this utility. As someone administering a linux computer, may it be a desktop or linux, it is crucial that you be familiar with the logging facilities.
By default, syslogd is the one handling system logging. However, new and enhanced tools are now available. One of which is rsyslog, "an enhanced multi-threaded syslogd supporting, among others, MySQL, syslog/tcp, RFC 3195, permitted sender lists, filtering on any message part, and fine grain output format control". SO, to set it up, here's a