About IGotIssues (FAQ)
Just let me download the Evaluation copy!
What Is IGotIssues?
IGotIssues is a FileMaker 8, 8.5, & 9 based application designed for providing the ability to track Issues, bugs, To Do items, requests, and just about any task related information for helping you and your customers during the development and support process.
The Birth of IGotIssues
GotIssues was born out of necessity! As professional software developers, we developed our own FileMaker database for tracking issues related to our custom development projects. If you have ever used sticky notes or handwritten notes for jotting down your ideas and issues while writing FileMaker applications, then you know where we're coming from. While a good Specifications document can be a guideline for developing a software application, it still can't account for all the little issues and tasks that have to be done during the development process.
Once the application has been completed, there are a lot of issues that come up during the testing process. Then finally, once the software is delivered to the customer, it's necessary to track the requests, suggestions, and enhancements that the customer makes.
We came to realization that any good FileMaker developer should have a system that they can quickly use and adapt for their development needs. Thus, our in-house issue tracking system became IGotIssues.
Why $42, and Only $42?
First of all, we wanted to offer a quality tool, that other FileMaker developer could benefit from. We have personally benefitted from the great FileMaker community and we wanted to price IGotIssues at an affordable cost that wouldn't hinder any developer from using it. Second, we're big fans of Douglas Adams!
Why Use IGotIssues?
Here's the equation:
Time = $
Database development takes time, and thus takes $.
The process of designing your own issue tracking system, or a customer support system for each of your FileMaker applications takes time. The cost of a a license for IGotIssues is minimal in comparison to the cost of designing your own system. Plus, since you get a fully unlocked application with full code, you can adapt, customize, and integrate IGotIssues into any of your existing or planned FileMaker applications.
What Are the Requirements for Running IGotIssues?
- FileMaker Professional 9.0 or better, or
- FileMaker Professional Advanced 9.0 or better
- Microsoft Windows XP or Apple OS X.
Who Would Use IGotIssues?
While FileMaker makes it easy to design and develop database applications, it does require some knowledge of scripting, calculations, and layout design. IGotIssues can be used as a stand-alone Issue Tracking system without any modifications, thus not requiring any programming. However, if you desire to customize IGotIssues or integrate it with other FileMaker applications, then you should be comfortable with FileMaker scripting, layout design, and building calculations.
If you're just getting started in these areas then we recommend the following publications:
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FileMaker Pro Design & Scripting for Dummies, by Timothy Trimble
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FileMaker 9 Developer Reference, by Bob Bowers, Steve Lane, & Scott Love
- Using FileMaker 9 (Special Edition), by Jesse Feiler, Scott Love, & Steve Lane
You can also learn a lot by looking at the Script Code in IGotIssues. The code is commented and the database fields are commented, for easier understanding of how it all works.
Issue Tracking?
Most people think of Issue Tracking as only for tracking bugs that occur when using software. However, it's actually much more. Not only should you keep track of bugs, but any task related items that needs to occur for your software project. For example, some of the types of issues you could encounter are:
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Enhancements to the application.
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Changes to the documentation.
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Change request from the customer.
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Request for new features.
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To Do items that you think of during the development process.
These are just a representation of the types of things that you need to keep track of for your FileMaker projects.
Not only does IGotIssues allow you, as the developer, to keep track of these things, but you can also include IGotIssues as a part of your FileMaker application. This gives your customers the ability to enter issues and email them to your or your support staff.
Does IGotIssues Come With Documentation?
Yes! Included with IGotIssues is a 37 page, comprehensive PDF file that you can view on your computer or print out. Here's what the IGotIssues User's Guide includes:
Section |
Contents |
1 – Welcome to IGotIssues |
What is IGotIssues and how can you benefit by its use? |
2 – Getting Started |
Requirements for using IGotIssues |
3 – Issue Tracking Basics |
Why use Issue Tracking? |
4 – Primary Layouts |
Overview of the layouts and features |
5 – Functionality |
A listing of all the features and functionality |
6 – Table Structure |
Description of the IGotIssues database |
7 – Code Structure |
An overview of the structure of the Script Code routines |
8 – Intended Use |
What IGotIssues is targed for |
9 – IGotIssues Support |
Hot to get technical support |
10 – Special Thanks |
Just because! |
11 - About Data Design Labs |
About us |
How Do I Get Technical Support for IGotIssues?
One way is by using IGotIssues itself. You can create an issue and then send it by clicking on the "Data Design Labs" button on the Issues layout. This will email us the Issue. You do have to have a valid License Key in order to receive support. Another way is to contact us via email. The support email address is located in the documentation. However, one of the best ways to get support is to post a message on our forums. (see link at the top) We, and our users, will be checking the forums regularly, and will try to answer the posts as often as we can.
What About Updates?
All licensed users of IGotIssues will receive free updates and email support for the first 12 months from registration date. After 12 months, you'll still be able to continue using and incorporating IGotIssues into your FileMaker applications. Continued updates and support for another 12 months will be offered at a very reasonable cost - well worth it for the updates and the constant enhancements that we have planned for IGotIssues.
What Do You Have Planned for Future Versions?
We don't want to give away all our secrets, but we do plan on having some cool additions to IGotIssues. We will mention that the use of the new PHP API is at the top of our list. We also plan on expanding the Users information to gather data on location, phone #, etc. Thus, improving the ability to use IGotIssues as a Help Desk Request Tracking System.
Can I Back Up My Data?
Yes, beginning with version 1.02, IGotIssues has the ability to backup and restore your data. When new versions of IGotIssues are released, you now have an easy way to backup and then restore your data into the newer versions.
How Can I Find Out More?
You can download the demo version, or you can watch the Overview Video directly from our site. You can also check out our Forums for any annoucements and discussions.
