Use Reporting Form for UMC issues and Requests

[SticknStones]

Okay, this is just an experiment so do not lambaste me. I created a simple spreadsheet on Google docs which is free and created a simple form to facilitate user inputs. I can make it fancy later but just wondered if it would be useful. If so I can build it for Lonnie and Dann and they can manage it as it is well within their level of expertise for sure. Just trying to think of a better way to keep up with all the commentary on the UMC as it is scattered.

We can add picklists, multiple choice and other fancy form options but just experimenting.

I sent Lonnie an invitation to the Spreadsheet where he can edit. Everyone can see all the responses by clicking on the spreadsheet link but it is read only for you.

The Form will automatically add your issue to the spreadsheet with a timestamp. Emotiva can acknowledge, accept or reject the request and everyone has a central way of keeping up with the information in a more civilized manner. Thoughts?

http://spreadsheets4.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFVuVW9VTjdjVjZkRUlILXdDOExINHc6MA]UMC Issue Reporting Form

= http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tUnUoUN7cV6dEIH-wC8LH4w&output=html]UMC Issues Spreadsheet

Edit: I played with check boxes and lists. I will make it much nicer if this is something of interest to the forum and Emotiva.

Edit 2: 02/15/2010 - I have rebuilt the form and spreadsheet and have disabled the test version.

Please vote and it is okay if you are not fond of the idea as I will not take it personal.

[gocolts]

These kinds of forms are what I push all the time at work for any project-related items which are going to evolve over time. Makes organization of issues a lot easier and transparent, not to mention it clearly holds everyone accountable for the status of open items, so I think this is great.

[zductive]

The spreadsheet is implented better than the form. When submitting an issue, I didn't find a way to enter an issue. All that I could find was a place to enter a request for a new feature. Also had to say that this would improve efficiency instead of it would make the unit work correctly.

Please continue with this effort

[SticknStones]

Thanks for the feedback! I did not spend much time testing or prototyping but was just showing a simple idea to see if it would work. I can add your suggestions and thanks.

[GMan]

I recommend the use of something like Bugzilla. It can be set up to keep track of bugs for different firmware revisions. It's free. All they gotta do is host it somewhere.

www.bugzilla.org

[agehring]

There is TRAC (http://trac.edgewall.org) too. :-)

[darien87]

I would think that having a single place where Emotiva can view all of the issues that people are having would be advantageous for them. I know it must be a nightmare to try and keep track of all the threads going on on the forum.

[DYohn]

Feb 15, 2010 12:38:28 GMT -5 darien87 said:

I would think that having a single place where Emotiva can view all of the issues that people are having would be advantageous for them. I know it must be a nightmare to try and keep track of all the threads going on on the forum.

I would be very surprised if they are even trying.

[bootman]

Feb 15, 2010 12:38:28 GMT -5 darien87 said:

I would think that having a single place where Emotiva can view all of the issues that people are having would be advantageous for them. I know it must be a nightmare to try and keep track of all the threads going on on the forum.

You assume they are even trying to keep track?
Maybe the threads started by them, but I'll be shocked (pleasantly) if indeed they are trying to follow all of the others.
You think Dann's only job is here at the forums?
If it was he is slacking because there are a ton of spills in every aisle here.
Watch your step!

[SticknStones]

Good feedback folks. The bugzilla is pretty comprehensive application much more sophisticated than a google form and spreadsheet. I have not looked at the other recommendation and am in an all day 4 day class this week but will look at them.

I did send Dann and Lonnie a private email to even ask if they would like our support. I have noticed that there are some very bright folks on this forum and I think we could lend a hand to show this type of support.

Thank you and I will post back later.

[Mike Ronesia]

I think it's a great concept. There needs to be some way to get this info to Emotiva without them weeding through all of the minutia on this forum.

[SticknStones]

Hello everyone! I received an email from Dann saying that Lonnie was cool with the idea and a thank you! I will look at this over the next couple of days after my classes. All ideas and suggestions are welcome! I will post the ideas, pro/cons and such as we go then turn it over to the Emotiva team once it is finished.

www.webresourcesdepot.com/9-free-and-open-source-bug-tracking-softwares/

I have included a link of 9 open source products that could be a better idea than the google SS and form. This list includes the recommendations above for Bugzilla and Trac. I will review and test plus welcome any collaboration from those that may be interested.

[SticknStones]

Hello everyone!

I disabled the test links above and recreated the Spreadsheet and form. The form has radio buttons, grid scale, multiple choice widgets to make it easier to submit.

Once you submit it will input into the spreadsheet. Only Lonnie and Dann have Editorial rights on the spread sheet so that they can add their response.

Everyone will be able to view but not edit the spreadsheet.

I have sent the links to Lonnie and Dann and hope that they will create the "Official UMC New Feature and Issue Tracking" Form as a sticky.

---

I reviewed the open source bug tracking systems and they are pretty cool! They do require a hosted service and may be more intimidating to most users that are not developers. I will defer to one of you who might want to take that on.

Lastly, I appreciate everyone that voted and to Dann and Lonnie who were open to the idea.


regards,

SNS

[ratmice]

Thanks for your efforts they are much appreciated.

[SticknStones]

Hi all! I sent the files to Lonnie and Dann plus sent the address where they edit the SS from the Google Site.

I put some values in the select firmware widget and need them to verify the values as I am not sure what their naming convention will be.

I asked Dann if they would create a thread that they own as a sticky so that they can manage. He replied back that he will work through Lonnie.

This is just an update. They may not want to do this in the end which is okay but as long as we are bringing constructive ideas to help is welcome enough! If they decide to go forward then I will validate the picklist, multi-choice options and such and we should be good to go.

[ksuvet]

Thanks for taking the initiative on this. We really need an organized bug list for people to test against their own setup, and it's just really difficult working through the forum. It would also be nice if someone from Emotiva would let us know if they're maintaining and working through a list based on forum reports, calls, or both, and which reporting method is preferred.

[SticknStones]

Feb 17, 2010 17:11:40 GMT -5 ksuvet said:

Thanks for taking the initiative on this. We really need an organized bug list for people to test against their own setup, and it's just really difficult working through the forum. It would also be nice if someone from Emotiva would let us know if they're maintaining and working through a list based on forum reports, calls, or both, and which reporting method is preferred.

Thanks, I have not heard back yet from Dann and Lonnie but will wait to review this with them.

This is a three part solution with one main document.
1) Master Spreadsheet serving as the main repository that only Lonnie or Dann can edit or delegate someone to edit that is secure. It has event notification on changes so they can get an email when some one adds a record and control that to once a week and other options.

2) Input form That customers can open from the forum with;

• Input paragraph for new feature or Issue
  
• Radio Button to choose type of input as Feature or Issue
  
• picklists on category that includes (video, audio, HDMI, EMO-Q, Remote, 7.1 etc )
  
• Criticality Scale as 1-5 with 1 being Unusable and 5 nice to have
  
• Firmware Version as a radio button single choice
  
• User
  
• Submit button - once you submit it records timestamp as first column and can support simultaneous users plus parses all data in the spreadsheet columns as a new row
  

3) Read Only View of Master Spreadsheet of all submissions that can be launched from forum

I suspect that Emotiva can sort the Spreadsheet by category, or issue, or User. The only thing I cannot do with this free technology is create reports yet.

What was interesting to me was looking at the Bug Applications software. I went to about half a dozen of them and looked to see if they had a forum. If they had a forum I wanted to see how they were embedding their application into the forum or launching from the forum. Guess what!!! Not a single one of them is using their application in the forum for User Feedback, new features or problems with their application. I thought that was interesting and was the major reason I stuck with the Google Docs solution as I thought it would be easiest for everyone and we can grow the sophistication as Google adds more functionality.

Okay, I will keep you all posted and I am trying to have a conversation with Dann on Friday afternoon if he has the time.

Once again I appreciate the encouragement.