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- issue2550796: Calendar and Classhelp selection tools don't cause onchange event to be triggered. Using the helper popups for modifying lists of users, lists of issues, dates etc.. now trigger the change event on the form's field. This allows onchange javascript to trigger to highlight changes, recalculate other form values etc. See ``upgrading.txt`` for details on applying these changes to your tracker.
author John Rouillard <rouilj@ieee.org>
date Sat, 28 Jan 2017 20:58:19 -0500
parents 91008ec8f9a0
children e6073c2291c6
Ignore whitespace changes - Everywhere: Within whitespace: At end of lines:
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1 =======================================================
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2 Roundup: an Issue-Tracking System for Knowledge Workers
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3 =======================================================
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4
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5 :Authors: Ka-Ping Yee (original_), Richard Jones (implementation)
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6
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7 .. _original: original_overview.html
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8
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9 .. contents::
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10
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11
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12 Introduction
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13 ============
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14
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15 Roundup is an issue-tracking system called which will manage a
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16 number of issues (with properties such as "description", "priority",
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17 and so on) and provides the ability to:
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18
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19 (a) submit new issues,
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20 (b) find and edit existing issues, and
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21 (c) discuss issues with other participants.
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22
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23 Roundup facilitates communication among the participants by managing
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24 discussions and notifying interested parties when issues are edited.
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25
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26
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27 Background
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28 ----------
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29
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30 A typical software project requires the management of
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31 many tasks, usually distributed among several collaborators.
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32 In fact, any project team
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33 could use a tool for sorting out and discussing all the
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34 relevant issues. A common approach is to set up some kind
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35 of "to-do" list that people can share.
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36
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37 However, to address the overall problem we need much more
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38 than just a shared to-do list; we need to
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39 manage a growing body of knowledge and experience to help a
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40 team collaborate effectively on a project. The issue-tracking
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41 tool becomes a nexus for communication: the Grand Central
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42 Station of the group intelligence.
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43
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44 The primary focus of this design is to help
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45 developers work together well, not to provide a customer
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46 service interface to the developers. This is not to say that
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47 the design is to be made unsuitable for customers to use.
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48 Rather, it is assumed that many of the same qualities
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49 that are good for supporting development (see below)
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50 are also good for non-developers using the system.
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51 Additional niceties
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52 for providing a safe or simplified interface to clients are
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53 intentionally deferred for later consideration.
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54
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55 A good issue-tracking system should have at least the
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56 following properties:
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57
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58 **Low barrier to participation**
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59 The usefulness of the tool depends entirely on the
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60 information people contribute to it. It must be made
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61 as easy as possible to submit new issues and contribute
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62 information about existing issues.
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63
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64 **Straightforward navigation**
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65 It should be easy for users to extract information they need
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66 from the system to direct their decisions and tasks.
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67 They should be able to get a decent overview of
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68 things as well as finding specific information when
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69 they know what they're after.
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70
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71 **Controlled information flow**
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72 The users must have control over how much information and
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73 what information they get. A common flaw of some issue-tracking
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74 systems is that they inundate users with so much useless
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75 e-mail that people avoid the system altogether.
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76
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77 With a nod to the time-honoured computer science tradition
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78 of "filling in the fourth quadrant", we note that
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79 there are really four kinds of information flow
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80 going on here. The three mentioned qualities
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81 really address the first three quadrants of this 2-by-2 matrix,
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82 respectively:
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83
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84 1. User push: a user submits information to the system.
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85 2. User pull: a user queries for information from the system.
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86 3. System push: the system sends information out to users.
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87 4. System pull: the system solicits information from users.
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88
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89 An example of the fourth kind of flow is voting.
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90 Voting isn't described in this design,
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91 but it should be noted as a potential enhancement.
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92
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93
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94 Guiding Principles
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95 ------------------
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96
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97 **Simplicity**
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98 It is a strong requirement
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99 that the tool be accessible and understandable. It should
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100 be fairly obvious what different parts of the interface do,
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101 and the inner mechanisms should operate in ways that most
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102 users can easily predict.
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103
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104 **Efficiency**
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105 We aim to optimize for minimum effort to do the most common
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106 operations, and best use of resources like screen real estate
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107 to maximize the amount of information that we summarize and present.
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108
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109 **Generality**
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110 We try to avoid making
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111 unnecessary assumptions that would restrict the applicability
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112 of the tool. For example, there is no reason why one might
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113 not also want to use this tool to manage a design process,
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114 non-software projects, or organizational decisions.
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115
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116 **Persistence** We
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117 prefer hiding or reclassifying information to deleting it.
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118 This helps support the collection of statistics later.
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119 If records are never destroyed, there is little danger
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120 in providing access to a larger community, and logging yields
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121 accountability, which may encourage better behaviour.
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122
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123
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124 Data Model
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125 ==========
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126
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127 Roundup stores a number of *items*, each of
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128 which can have several properties and an associated discussion.
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129 The properties can be used to classify or search for items.
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130 The discussion is a sequence of e-mail messages.
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131 Each item is identified by a unique number, and has
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132 an activity log which
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133 records the time and content of edits made on its properties.
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134 The log stays fairly small since the design intentionally
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135 provides only small data types as item properties, and
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136 encourages anything large to be attached to
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137 e-mail where it becomes part of the discussion.
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138 The next section explains how items are organized.
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139
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140
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141 The Hyperdatabase
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142 -----------------
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143
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144 Often when classifying information we are
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145 asked to select exactly one of a number of categories
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146 or to fit it into a rigid hierarchy. Yet things
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147 only sometimes fall into one category; often,
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148 a piece of information may be related to several concepts.
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149
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150 For example, forcing each item into a single keyword
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151 category is not just suboptimal but counterproductive:
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152 seekers of that
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153 item may expect to find it in a different category
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154 and conclude that the item is not present in the
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155 database -- which has them *worse* off
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156 than if the items were not categorized at all.
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157
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158 Some systems try to alleviate this problem by
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159 allowing items to appear at multiple locations
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160 in a tree, as with "aliases" or "symbolic links" in
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161 a filesystem, for example. This does help somewhat,
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162 but we want to be even more flexible
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163 by allowing the
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164 organization of items into sets that may freely
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165 intersect. Rather than putting each item at exactly
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166 one place in an overall "grand scheme", a item can
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167 belong to as many sets as are appropriate.
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168
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169 If we choose to represent the sets themselves as items
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170 and set membership as a link between items,
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171 we're now ready to present the definition of a
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172 hyperdatabase.
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173
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174 A *hyperdatabase* is a collection of *items*
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175 that may be hyperlinked to
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176 each other (hence the name "hyperdatabase").
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177 Each item carries a collection of key-value pairs,
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178 where some of the values may be links to other items.
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179 Any item may have an arbitrary number of outgoing and
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180 incoming links. Hyperdatabases are able to efficiently
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181 answer queries such as "what items link to this item?"
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182 and "what items does this item link to?"
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183
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184 Rationale
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185 ---------
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186
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187 There are several reasons for building our
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188 own kind of database for Roundup rather than using an existing one.
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189
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190 Requiring the installation of a full-blown third-party
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191 SQL database system would probably deter many potential
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192 users from attempting to set up Roundup;
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193 yet a real relational database would be too
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194 complicated to implement on our own.
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195
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196 On the other hand, a hyperdatabase can be implemented fairly easily
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197 using one of the Python DBM modules, so we can
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198 take the "batteries-included" approach and provide it
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199 as part of the system. It's easier to build and understand
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200 than a true relational database (in accordance with our guiding
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201 principle of *simplicity*), but provides
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202 most of the query functionality we want.
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203
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204 A hyperdatabase is well suited for finding the intersection
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205 of a number of sets in which items belong. We expect that
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206 most of the queries people want to do will be of this
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207 form, rather than complicated SQL queries. For example, a
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208 typical request might be
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209 "show me all critical items related to security".
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210 The ability to store arbitrary key-value pairs and links
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211 on items gives it more flexibility than an RDBMS.
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212
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213 Users are not going to be making thousands of queries
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214 per second, so it makes sense to optimize for simplicity
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215 and flexibility rather than performance.
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216
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217 .. img: images/hyperdb.png
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218
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219
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220 Roundup's Hyperdatabase
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221 -----------------------
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222
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223 For our application, we store each item as a item in a
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224 hyperdatabase. The item's properties are stored
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225 as key-value pairs on its item.
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226 Several types of properties are allowed:
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227 *string*, *number*, *boolean*, *date*, *interval, *link*,
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228 and *multlink*. Another type, *password*, is a special type
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229 of string and it's only used internally to Roundup.
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230
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231 The *string* type is for short, free-form strings.
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232 String properties are not intended to contain large
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233 amounts of text, and it is recommended that they be presented
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234 as one-line fields to encourage brevity. A *number* is a special
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235 type of string that represents a numeric value. A *boolean* is
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236 further constrained to be a *true* or *false* value.
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237
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238 The *date* type is for calendar dates and times. An *interval*
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239 is the time between two dates.
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240
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241 The *link* type denotes a single selection from a number of
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242 options. A *link* property entails a link from the item
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243 possessing the property to the item representing the chosen option.
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244
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245 The *multilink* type is for a list of links to any
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diff changeset
246 number of other items in the in the database. A *multilink*
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247 property, for example, can be used to refer to related items
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248 or keyword categories relevant to an item.
1654
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249
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250 For Roundup, all items have four properties that are not customizable:
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251
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252 1. a *date* property named **creation**
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253 2. a *link* property named **creator**
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diff changeset
254 3. a *date* property named **activity**
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255
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256 These properties represent the date of the creation of the item, who
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257 created it, and when the last change was made.
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258
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259 Further, all *issue* items have an additional four properties:
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260
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261 1. a *string* property named **title**
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262 2. a *multilink* property named **nosy**
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263 3. a *multilink* property named **messages**
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264 4. a *multilink* property named **files**
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265 5. a *multilink* property named **superseder**
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266
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267 The **title** property is a short one-line description of the item.
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268 The detailed description can go in the first e-mail message of the
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269 item's messages spool.
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270
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271 The **nosy** property contains a list of
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272 the people who are interested in an item. This
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273 mechanism is explained in the section on `Submission and Discussion`_.
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274
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275 Each message added to the item goes in the **messages** spool - any
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276 attached files go in the **files** spool.
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277
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278 The **superseder** property is used to
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279 support the splitting, joining, or replacing of items.
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diff changeset
280 When several items need to be
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281 joined into a single item, all the old items
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282 link to the new item in their **superseder**
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283 property.
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284 When an item needs to be split apart, the item
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285 references all the new items in its **superseder**
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286 propety.
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287 We can easily list all active items just by checking
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288 for an empty **superseder** property, and trace
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289 the path of an item's origins by querying the hyperdatabase
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290 for links.
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291
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292 Users of the system are also represented by items in the
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diff changeset
293 hyperdatabase, containing properties
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294 like the user's e-mail address, login name, and password.
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295
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296 The Default Schema
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297 ------------------
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298
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299 It is hoped that the hyperdatabase together with the
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300 specializations mentioned above for Roundup will be
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301 applicable in a variety of situations
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302 (in accordance with our guiding principle of *generality*).
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303
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304 To address the problem at hand, we need
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305 a specific schema for items applied particularly to software development.
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306 Again, we are trying to keep the schema simple: too many
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307 options make it tougher for someone to make a good choice::
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308
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309 # IssueClass automatically gets these properties:
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310 # title = String()
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311 # messages = Multilink("msg")
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312 # files = Multilink("file")
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313 # nosy = Multilink("user")
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314 # superseder = Multilink("issue")
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315 # (it also gets the Class properties creation, activity and creator)
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316 issue = IssueClass(db, "issue",
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317 assignedto=Link("user"), keyword=Multilink("keyword"),
1654
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318 priority=Link("priority"), status=Link("status"))
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319
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320 The **assignedto** property assigns
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321 responsibility for an item to a person or a list of people.
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322 The **keyword** property places the
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323 item in an arbitrary number of relevant keyword sets (see
1654
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324 the section on `Browsing and Searching`_).
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325
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326 The **prority** and **status** values are initially:
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327
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328 =========== =====================================
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329 Priority Description
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330 =========== =====================================
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331 "critical" panic: work is stopped!
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332 "urgent" important, but not deadly
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333 "bug" lost work or incorrect results
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334 "feature" want missing functionality
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335 "wish" avoidable bugs, missing conveniences
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336 =========== =====================================
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337
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parents:
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338 ============= =====================================
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339 Status Description
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parents:
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340 ============= =====================================
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341 "unread" submitted but no action yet
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342 "deferred" intentionally set aside
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343 "chatting" under review or seeking clarification
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344 "need-eg" need a reproducible example of a bug
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345 "in-progress" understood; development in progress
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346 "testing" we think it's done; others, please test
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347 "done-cbb" okay for now, but could be better
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348 "resolved" fix has been released
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349 ============= =====================================
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350
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351 As previously mentioned, each item gets an activity log.
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352 Whenever a property on an item is changed, the log
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353 records the time of the change, the user making the change,
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354 and the old and new values of the property. This permits
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355 the later gathering of statistics (for example, the average time
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356 from submission to resolution).
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357
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358 We do not specify or enforce a state transition graph,
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diff changeset
359 since making the system rigid in that fashion is probably more
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diff changeset
360 trouble than it's worth.
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361 Experience has shown that there are probably
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362 two convenient automatic state transitions:
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363
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364 1. from **unread** to **chatting** when e-mail is written about an item
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365 2. from **testing** to **resolved** when a new release of the software is made
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366
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367 Beyond these, in accordance with our principle of *generality*,
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diff changeset
368 we allow access to the hyperdatabase
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diff changeset
369 API so that scripts can automate transitions themselves or
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370 be triggered by changes in the database.
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371
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372
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diff changeset
373 User Interface
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
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parents:
diff changeset
374 ==============
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diff changeset
375
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diff changeset
376 Roundup provides its services through two main interfaces:
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diff changeset
377 e-mail and the Web.
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378 This division is chosen to optimize the most common tasks.
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379
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380 E-mail is best suited for
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diff changeset
381 the submission of new items since most people are most comfortable
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parents:
diff changeset
382 with composing long messages in their own favourite e-mail client.
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
383 E-mail also permits them to mention URLs or attach files relevant
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
384 to their submission. Indeed, in many cases people are already
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diff changeset
385 used to making requests by sending e-mail to a mailing list
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
386 of people; they can do exactly the same thing to use Roundup
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
387 without even thinking about it.
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diff changeset
388 Similarly, people are already
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
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diff changeset
389 familiar with holding discussions in e-mail, and plenty of
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
390 valuable usage conventions and software tools already exist for that medium.
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391
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diff changeset
392 The Web, on the other hand, is best suited for summarizing
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parents:
diff changeset
393 and seeking information, because it can present an interactive
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
394 overview of items. Since the Web has forms, it's also
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
395 the best place to edit items.
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
396
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
397
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
398 Submission and Discussion
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
399 -------------------------
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
400
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
401 The system needs an address for receiving mail
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
402 and an address that forwards mail to all participants.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
403 Each item has its own list
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
404 of interested parties, known as its *nosy list*.
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
405 Here's how nosy lists work:
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parents:
diff changeset
406
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
407 1. New items are always submitted by sending an e-mail message
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
408 to Roundup. The "Subject:" field becomes the description
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
409 of the new item.
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
410 The message is saved in the mail spool of the new item,
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
411 and copied to the list of all participants
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
412 so everyone knows that a new item has been added.
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
413 The new item's nosy list initially contains the submitter.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
414
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
415 2. All e-mail messages sent by Roundup have their "Reply-To:"
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
416 field set to Roundup's address, and have the item's
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
417 number in the "Subject:" field. Thus, any replies to the
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
418 initial announcement and subsequent threads are all received
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
419 by Roundup. Roundup notes the item number in the "Subject:"
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
420 field of each incoming message and appends the message
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
421 to the appropriate spool.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
422
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
423 3. Any incoming e-mail tagged with an item number is copied
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
424 to all the people on the item's nosy list,
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Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
425 and any users found in the "From:", "To:", or "Cc:" fields
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
426 are automatically added to the nosy list. Whenever a user
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
427 edits an item's properties in the Web interface, they are
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
428 also added to the nosy list.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
429
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
430 The effect is like each item having its own little mailing list,
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
431 except that no one ever has to worry about subscribing to
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
432 anything. Indicating interest in an issue is sufficient, and if you
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
433 want to bring someone new into the conversation, all you need to do
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
434 is "Cc:" a message to them. It turns out that no one ever has to worry
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
435 about unsubscribing, either: the nosy lists are so specific in scope
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
436 that the conversation tends to die down by itself when the issue is
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
437 resolved or people no longer find it sufficiently important.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
438
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
439 Each nosy list is like an asynchronous chat room,
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
440 lasting only a short time (typically five or ten messages)
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
441 and involving a small group of people. However, that
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
442 group is the *right* group of people:
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
443 only those who express interest in an item in some way
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
444 ever end up on the list, so no one gets spammed with mail they
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
445 don't care about, and no one who *wants*
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
446 to see mail about a particular item needs to be left
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
447 out, for they can easily join in, and just as easily
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
448 look at the mail spool on an item to catch up on any
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
449 messages they might have missed.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
450
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
451 We can take this a step further and
3904
91008ec8f9a0 retire "topic" usage
Justus Pendleton <jpend@users.sourceforge.net>
parents: 1654
diff changeset
452 permit users to monitor particular keywords or classifications of items
1654
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
453 by allowing other kinds of items to also have their own nosy lists.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
454 For example, a manager could be on the
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
455 nosy list of the priority value item for "critical", or a
3904
91008ec8f9a0 retire "topic" usage
Justus Pendleton <jpend@users.sourceforge.net>
parents: 1654
diff changeset
456 developer could be on the nosy list of the keyword value item for "security".
1654
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
457 The recipients are then determined by the union of the nosy lists on the
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
458 item and all the items it links to.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
459
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
460 Using many small, specific mailing lists results
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
461 in much more effective communication than one big list.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
462 Taking away the effort of subscribing and unsubscribing
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
463 gives these lists the "feel" of being cheap and
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
464 disposable.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
465
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
466 The transparent capture of the mail spool attached to each
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
467 issue also yields a nice knowledge repository over time.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
468
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
469
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
470 Editing
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
471 -------
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
472
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
473 Since Roundup is intended to support arbitrary user-defined
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
474 schema for item properties, the editing interface must be
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
475 automatically generated from the schema. The configuration for
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
476 Roundup will include a template describing how to lay out the
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
477 properties to present a UI for inspecting and editing items.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
478 For example::
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
479
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
480 <tr>
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
481 <th class="required">Priority</th>
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
482 <td tal:content="structure context/priority/menu">priority</td>
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
483 <th>Status</th>
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
484 <td tal:content="structure context/status/menu">status</td>
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
485 </tr>
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
486
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
487 To display the editing form for an item, Roundup inserts
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
488 an HTML form widget where it encounters an expression like
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
489 ``tal:content="structure context/priority/menu"``.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
490 Each type has its own appropriate editing widget:
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
491
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
492 - *string* and *number* properties appear as text fields
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
493 - *boolean* properties appear as a yes/no selection
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
494 - *date* and *interval* properties appear as text fields
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
495 - *link* properties appear as selection lists
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
496 - *multilink* properties appear as multiple-selection lists
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
497 or text fields with pop-up widgets for larger selections.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
498
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
499 We foresee the use of custom date fields for things like deadlines,
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
500 so input fields for *date* properties support a
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
501 simple way of specifying relative dates (such as "3w" for
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
502 "three weeks from now").
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
503
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
504 The **superseder** property is a special case:
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
505 although it is more efficient to store a **superseder**
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
506 property in the superseded item, it makes more sense to provide
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
507 a "supersedes" edit field on the superseding item. We use
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
508 a special widget on items for this purpose (a text field containing
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
509 a comma-separated list of items). Links in the **superseder** property
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
510 appear on both the superseding and superseded items to
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
511 facilitate navigating an item's pedigree.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
512
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
513 After the editing widgets, the item inspection page shows
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
514 a "note" text box and then a display of the messages in the
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
515 discussion spool. This field
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
516 lets you enter a note explaining your change when you edit the
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
517 item, and the note is included in the notification message that
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
518 goes out to tell the interested parties on the nosy list of
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
519 your edits.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
520
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
521 Browsing and Searching
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
522 ----------------------
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
523
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
524 The ideal we would like to achieve is to make searching as
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
525 much like browsing as possible: the user simply clicks about
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
526 on things that seem interesting, and the information narrows
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
527 down comfortably until the goal is in sight. This is preferable
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
528 to trying to digest a screen filled with widgets and buttons
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
529 or entering a search expression in some arcane algebraic syntax.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
530
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
531 While a one-shot search may be appropriate when you're
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
532 looking for a single item and you know exactly what you want, it's
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
533 not very helpful when you want an overview of
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
534 things ("Gee, there are a lot more high-priority items than
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
535 there were last week!") or trying to do comparisons ("I have
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
536 some time today, so who is busiest and could most use some help?")
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
537
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
538 The browsing interface presents filtering
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
539 functionality for each of the properties in the schema. As with
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
540 editing, the interface is generated from a template
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
541 describing how to lay out the properties.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
542 Each type of property has its own appropriate filtering widget:
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
543
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
544 - *string* properties appear as text fields supporting
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
545 case-insensitive substring match
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
546 - *date* properties appear as a text field which accepts a date
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
547 range with start, end or both
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
548 - *link* properties appear as a group of selectable options
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
549 (the filter selects the *union* of the sets of items
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
550 associated with the active options)
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
551 - *multilink* properties appear as a group of selectable options
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
552 (the filter selects the *intersection* of the sets of items
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
553 associated with the active options)
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
554
3904
91008ec8f9a0 retire "topic" usage
Justus Pendleton <jpend@users.sourceforge.net>
parents: 1654
diff changeset
555 For a *multilink* property like **keyword**,
1654
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
556 one possibility is to show, as hyperlinks, the keywords whose
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
557 sets have non-empty intersections with the currently displayed set of
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
558 items. Sorting the keywords by popularity seems
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
559 reasonable. Clicking on a keyword then narrows both the list of items
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
560 and the list of keywords. This gives some of the feel of walking
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
561 around a directory tree -- but without the restriction of having
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
562 to select keywords in a particular hierarchical order, and without
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
563 the need to travel all the way to the leaves of the tree before
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
564 any items are visible.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
565
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
566 Below the filtering form is a listing of items, with their
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
567 properties displayed in a table. Rows in the table are
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
568 generated from a template, as with the editing interface.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
569 This listing is the central overview of the system, and it
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
570 should aim to maximize the density of
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
571 useful information in accordance with our guiding principle of
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
572 *efficiency*. Colour may be used to indicate
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
573 the status of each item to help the eye sift through the index quickly.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
574
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
575 Roundup sorts items
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
576 in groups by priority, and then within groups by the date
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
577 of last activity. This reveals at a glance where discussion is
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
578 most active, and provides an easy way for anyone to move an issue
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
579 up in the list.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
580
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
581 The page produced by a given set of browsing options constitutes
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
582 an *index*. The options should all be part of the query
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
583 parameters in the URL so that views may be bookmarked. An index
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
584 specifies:
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
585
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
586 - search strings for string properties
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
587 - date ranges for date properties
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
588 - acceptable values for choice properties
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
589 - required values for reference properties
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
590 - a sorting key
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
591 - a grouping key
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
592 - a list of properties for which to display filtering widgets
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
593
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
594 Our default index is:
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
595
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
596 - all **status** values except "resolved"
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
597 - show **priority** and **fixer**
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
598 - grouping by **priority** in sections
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
599 - sorting by decreasing **activity** date
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
600
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
601 The starting URL for Roundup immediately presents the listing of
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
602 items generated by this default index, with no preceding query screen.
284c26c1ef19 aargh, b2 was b0rken
Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
parents:
diff changeset
603
Roundup Issue Tracker: http://roundup-tracker.org/