Deskzilla for Mac OS X 1.1 review
DownloadDeskzilla is an alternative Bugzilla client.
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Deskzilla is an alternative Bugzilla client. It is a desktop application with interactive user interface and unique capabilities that are a valuable addition to the feature-rich web-based Bugzilla software. It allows you to work with bugs more effectively, expanding the set of tools that you use.
Deskzilla is also available for Windows and Linux.
Here are some key features of "Deskzilla":
Hierarchical project structure and nested queries allow you to apply consistent and orderly approach to bug tracking;
Bug counters give you the immediate picture about the state of the project;
Local database that acts as a cache for bugs allows for quick and customizable database search;
User interface enhancements, such as threaded comments view, help working with bugs;
Offline availability allows you to work with bugs any time, regardless of the Internet presence and Bugzilla server availability.
Limitations:
Deskzilla will run in evaluation mode for 30 days.
What's New:
New features:
Tabbed Search Results
Each query gets its own tabbed bug table when executed. This allows for more powerful bug browsing; for example, it's now possible to go through a collection of bugs and run other queries at the same time without losing selection and table update mode.
Configurable Workflow Actions (#39)
A workflow action can be executed on a bug via pop-up menu (right click in a bug table) or via the toolbar. Preset workflow actions correspond to the standard actions that are used by Bugzilla - Resolve, Confirm, Reassign, etc. The user is able to customize workflow actions by editing file etc/workflow.xml (requires Deskzilla restart).
It's still possible to make arbitrary changes to bug's workflow fields.
Live Distribution (#75)
New live distribution nodes are introduced. A live distribution node will maintain a list of sub-queries that reflects all possible values for a given field.
For example, if a new version is added to Bugzilla, a corresponding distribution sub-query will appear in the Navigation Tree during next synchronization.
NB: Distributions created with earlier Deskzilla versions are just standalone sub-queries. They should be re-created to be live.
Navigation Tree Filtering
It's now possible to hide empty queries (those that would select no bugs). This is especially useful if you have a lot of queries or distributions. Try pressing "Alt-Click" on any node in the Navigation Tree and see what happens!
Bug Table Export (#73)
Allows to export bugs to a file. Supported formats: CSV, HTML. You can use export to HTML to print bugs table from a browser.
Query Builder: Negation
It's now possible to have inverse logical predicates in Query Builder by using "NOT" operation.
Search by Last Modified and Date Created Fields (#122)
It's now possible to build filters that use date fields. Date constraints could use absolute or relative dates.
Editable Blocks and Depends Fields (#162)
Maintaining Query Synchronization Data (#181)
A query now becomes immediately synchronized if a more generic query is synchronized. For example, if you download all bugs, any query that is created for the same connection will be immediately synchronized, and you will not have to download the same bugs from Bugzilla.
Open Query in Browser
This action (right click on a query) allows to run any query in Bugzilla.
Hiding Irrelevant Values for Dependent Fields
Query Builder now filters Components, Versions, Milestones and Products to show only those values that are relevant to the query being built. For example, if it is known that only bugs from ProductA are selected, only components corresponding to ProductA are shown.
Editable Deadline and Estimated Time Fields
Currently there is only partial support for scheduling fields available in Bugzilla. More will be provided in future versions.
New Bug Form Has CC Field (#182)
The user is now able to specify carbon copy addresses when creating a new bug record.
Support for Proxy Authentication (#105)
It's now possible to set up user name and password for proxy authentication. If credentials are not set up preemptively and a proxy asks for authentication, Deskzilla displays an authentication request dialog, just as a browser does.
Additionally, a Bugzilla connection may be configured as "local" to bypass the application-wide proxy configuration.
Alternative Actions for Running Queries
In addition to the default Run Query action, Deskzilla now has "Show Cached Query Result" action that shows only contents of the local database and "Reload Query From Server" action that issues a request to remote Bugzilla server even if the query is synchronized.
Action to Upload All Locally Changed Bugs
This action (File - Upload Local Changes) will be useful if you have a lot of draft changes in the local database and all of them need to be uploaded to Bugzilla.
Temporary Queries Folder
A special folder for creating short-term queries. Its contents is cleared each time Deskzilla starts.
Important fixes (since Deskzilla 1.0.2)
#146 Dictionary values (priorities, components, etc.) are removed from cache when they are removed in Bugzilla;
#189 Timestamps from Bugzilla with Australian and some other time zones are not correctly parsed;
#188 Bugzilla 2.16: Attachments are not detected;
#184 Ignored fields on bugzilla submit are not detected (Keywords);
#194 Exception when comments are in reverse order or cross-referenced in a loop.
Requirements:
Java 1.4 or 5.0
Bugzilla 2.14 - 2.20+
RAM: 256MB (recommended 512MB)
CPU: 1GHz or faster.
Deskzilla for Mac OS X 1.1 keywords