Subj : Re: CVS commit exec/send_
To   : Runemaster
From : Digital Man
Date : Thu Jul 07 2005 06:37 pm

  Re: Re: CVS commit exec/send_
  By: Runemaster to Deuce on Thu Jul 07 2005 08:19 pm

 >  > As the guy with the HTML eye in the development group, I can understand
 >  > completely why you don't like the layout of GNATSweb... it is rather spar
 >  > and
 >  > ugly.  Of course, it's fixable.  Some of the big features of GNATS are a 
 >  > reporting/querying daemon with a very simple text protocol, a thing which
 >  > allows anyone to create arbitrary programs to diddle the data (For exampl
 > a
 >  > small script which updates a PR on a CVS commit would be trivial)  Furthe
 > it
 >  > allows PRs to be submitted via email... not requireing a web browser of a
 >  > sort for a bug report.
 > 
 > I imaging that it is a fine system.  However I think it is not a good system
 > for
 > the intended audience.  GNATS is a powerful system when used by programmers 
 > a
 > development project.

Some weird line-wrapping going on there. :-(


 > However, for this use, I find that the average non-developer, may find scrip
 > and the website a little less than ideal.  Maybe the website could be made a
 > bit
 > less, erm, daunting with a better layout I suppose.  As it is though, it is
 > almost as scarey looking as bugzilla ;)

If the HTML interface can be improved (I agree, it's not friendly or
attractive), then it certainly should be considered.

 >  > The web thing is just a very simple front-end to the bit that does the re
 >  > work.  Having the thing as a PHP script which uses MySQL and supports ONL
 >  > html submissions seems needlessly restrictive.
 > 
 > For sysop use rather than programmer use, I think this kind of "restriction"
 > better.
 > 
 > Of course, the main developers have the say ;)  Just suggesting.

My personal requirements for a bug tracking system are:

1. Not web server (e.g. Apache) specific... i.e. it can run under the
Synchronet web server.

2. The system requirements are small (no huge RDMS necessary).

3. The system can be mirrored easily.

4. The system is extensible (entries created/updated via e-mail, automated
e-mail notifications, linked to CVS, etc.).

5. The system has an easy to use/understand web interface.

                                                  digital man

Snapple "Real Fact" #34:
If you keep a goldfish in a dark room it will eventually turn white.

.