view doc/features.txt @ 2138:f76d1642014a

doc cleanup, editing and creation of a What's New
author Richard Jones <richard@users.sourceforge.net>
date Fri, 26 Mar 2004 06:02:20 +0000
parents 6d392197daa3
children 9b447ac40be3
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================
Roundup Features
================

Roundup is a simple-to-use and -install issue-tracking system with
web, e-mail and command-line interfaces. It is based on the winning design
from Ka-Ping Yee in the Software Carpentry "Track" design competition.

*simple to install*
 - installation (including web interface) takes about 30 minutes
 - two templates included in the distribution for you to base your tracker on
 - doesn't need *any* additional support software - python (2.1+) is enough to
   get you going
 - easy to set up higher-performance storage backends like sqlite_,
   metakit_, mysql and postgresql
 - the really impatient can try the instant-gratification Demo Mode (``python
   demo.py``)

*simple to use*
 - accessible through the web, email, command-line or Python programs
 - may be used to track bugs, features, user feedback, sales opportunities,
   milestones, ...
 - keeps a full history of changes to issues with configurable verbosity
 - issues have their own mini mailing list (nosy list)

*highly configurable*
 - web interface HTML is fully editable
 - database schema is also fully editable (only the "user" class is required)
   with a full set of data types (including dates and many-to-many relations)
   across all storages available
 - customised automatic auditors and reactors may be written that perform
   actions before and after changes are made to entries in the database,
   or may veto the creation or modification of items int he database
 - samples are provided for all types of configuration changes

*fast, scalable*
 - with the sqlite, metakit, mysql and postgresql backends, roundup is
   also fast and scalable, easily handling thousands of issues and users
   with decent response times
 - database indexes are automatically added for those backends that
   support them (sqlite, metakit, mysql and postgresql)
 - indexed text searching giving fast responses to searches across all
   messages and indexed string properties

*documented*
 - documentation exists for installation, upgrading, maintenance, users and
   customisation

*web interface*
 - fully editable interfaces for listing and display of items
 - extendable to include wizards, parent/meta bug displays, ...
 - differentiates between anonymous, known and admin users
 - may be set up to require login, and may also only allow admin users
   to register new users
 - authentication of user registration and user-driven password resetting
   using email and one time keys
 - may be run through CGI as a normal cgi script, as a stand-alone
   web server, or through Zope
 - searching may be performed using many constraints, including a full-text
   search of messages attached to issues
 - file attachments (added through the web or email) are served up with the
   correct content-type and filename
 - email change messages generated by roundup appear to be sent by the
   person who made the change, but responses will go back through the nosy
   list by default

*e-mail interface*
 - may be set up using sendmail-like delivery alias, POP polling or mailbox
   polling
 - may auto-register users who send in mail and aren't known to roundup
 - nosy list configuration controls how people are added and when messages
   are sent to the list
 - auto-filing of "unformatted" messages into a particular class
 - e-mail attachments are handled sanely, being attached to the issue they're
   intended for, and forwarded on to the nosy list
 - sane handling of content-type and content-encoding of messages (text/plain
   preferred in all situations)
 - email packages that display threading will show issue messages correctly
   threaded
 - users may send in messages from multiple addresses and be associated
   with the same roundup username
 - built-in security features like TLS and APOP

*command-line*
 - may be used to interactively manage roundup databases
 - may be scripted using standard shell scripting
 - roundup's API may also be used by other Python programs - a sample is
   provided that runs once a day and emails people their assigned issues
 - a variety of sample shell scripts are provided (weekly reports, issue
   generation, ...)

.. _sqlite: http://www.hwaci.com/sw/sqlite/
.. _metakit: http://www.equi4.com/metakit/


Roundup Issue Tracker: http://roundup-tracker.org/