August 23, 2011 at 6:20 am
We are in a locked down environment, and I'm looking for a no-cost issue tracker that we can use for tracking SQL Server, PowerShell, Oracle, and Windows issues without resorting to a setup.exe-style install. I'm not a big fan of Microsoft Access, but Access 2007 has an issues.accdb template that I could probably modify to meet our needs. However, I don't want to spend time on that if someone has a better idea. (Access 2010 has something similar, but Office 2010 is not approved for our site yet.)
Sometimes, issues will repeat themselves over time. In a nutshell, I am looking for is a single place to collect information about issues so that our DBAs will have a single place to search past issues.
Any ideas?
August 23, 2011 at 7:19 am
Not being cheeky but have you tried googling, "free helpdsk software"? There appear to be loads out there
MCITP SQL 2005, MCSA SQL 2012
August 23, 2011 at 7:43 am
Actually, I searched quite a bit prior to posting, but most of what I found requires a setup.exe-type install, meaning that I won't be able to get that past our security folks because we operate in a locked down environment. That's why I settled on looking at Access.
August 24, 2011 at 8:56 am
If you can't run any .exe file to install the software, chances are close to zero to find any free tool.
The main reason: almost anybody nowadays requires a single-click install. The "good old days" when we had to copy a bunch of files into a specific directory and we were done seem to be over now. At least when using a Microsof OS since the software usually changes / adds to the registry.
So it comes down to the ACCESS solution you already have in mind.
I'm sorry. But it looks like you're a victim of the "single-click" philosophy out there...
Another option could be to ask your security folks what they recommend to meet this business requirement. After all, security folks are there to protect the business, not to stop it (but for sure this is a version of "protection", too 😉 ). It should be possible to find a solution. You just might not need to state up front that you could modify an MS ACCESS db...
August 24, 2011 at 9:24 am
We use Redmine (http://www.redmine.org/); and this works well for us. There are quite a few decent open-source issue packages that have community editions (read: free) which is important for a small company. We use Subversion (source control), DokuWiki (documentation), Redmine (issue tracking), & SugarCRM (customer relationship management).
The only problem is you need a LAMP server available to you -- which doesn't sound like it would work in your locked down environment.
Rob
August 24, 2011 at 2:50 pm
LutzM (8/24/2011)
If you can't run any .exe file to install the software, chances are close to zero to find any free tool....
So it comes down to the ACCESS solution you already have in mind.
Yup. The most recent lock down is that we cannot change our wall paper or screen saver.
A year ago, it took us 6 weeks and countless support calls to finally get a clean install of SQL Server 2008 R1 in a clustered environment and repeat it with the documentation that we created along the way. That was our first 2008 cluster, and Active Directory was so tight that it sqeeked. LOL
August 24, 2011 at 2:52 pm
rgtft (8/24/2011)
The only problem is you need a LAMP server available to you -- which doesn't sound like it would work in your locked down environment.
Thanks for the link. We probably won't be using LAMP here, but the link may be handy at another site.
August 24, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Snitz forum is a good way of creating an issues forum\tracker
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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉
August 24, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Perry Whittle (8/24/2011)
Snitz forum is a good way of creating an issues forum\tracker
Funny name. Never heard of it, but it looks very interesting. If I am reading http://forum.snitz.com/Forum/readme.htm correctly, a setup.exe-type install does not appear to be required.
Thanks!
August 24, 2011 at 3:53 pm
its a very popular\stable forum, you just need a webserver with support for active server pages 😉
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"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉
August 24, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Perry Whittle (8/24/2011)
its a very popular\stable forum, you just need a webserver with support for active server pages 😉
I think I may have access to a server that will suffice.
By the way, I just thought of a couple more lock down examples. :hehe:
- We are not allowed to install the Google search bar (due to potential security issues)
- But, using google.com is just fine
- Oddly, the Bing search bar came preinstalled with Internet Explorer, and using the Bing search is just fine
Go figure...
August 24, 2011 at 4:38 pm
What??
A completely locked down environment but IE is the default browser? OUCH!!
Speaking of it: since you're connected to the web anyway, the term "locked down" is a little bit misleading... :w00t:
Why don't you just use one of the web hosted solutions then?? :ermm:
Ok, the data would be available in public (more or less). But at least you won't need to run any .exe file. Your security folks should be happy about it...
August 24, 2011 at 5:46 pm
LutzM (8/24/2011)
A completely locked down environment but IE is the default browser? OUCH!!
Yeah. Welcome to "Alice in Wonderland."
August 25, 2011 at 9:10 am
Of course, all this lockdown presumably only applies to Windows machines...can't you set up Linux on an old PC and put Eventum or something on it? 😛
August 25, 2011 at 9:50 am
paul.knibbs (8/25/2011)
Of course, all this lockdown presumably only applies to Windows machines...can't you set up Linux on an old PC and put Eventum or something on it? 😛
Afraid not. *All* of the operating systems are locked down here, and the data security folks are always on the prowl looking for any rogue installs. It is not a happy day when they find one. 😉
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