Every page starts with a System Menu at the top of the page, to the right of the system logo. This menu allows a user to navigate quickly between the numerous screens in the system. Following the menu there is a Filter Definition that signals to the user if there are any issues that are currently being shielded from view. Filtered issues help to make the system more readable by only showing desired issues.

System Menu

The contents of this menu depend on the permissions of the user. By default, all menus contain links to Main Menu, Filters, Reports, Charts and Logout. This default menu is the menu shown to readonly users.

The menu displayed to normal users expands the default set to include both New Bug, and Edit Profile.

The menu displayed to admin users expands the normal menu to include the Bulk Update and Admin Menu links.

Filter Definition

The filter definition defines the current filter, which is being used to query data in the system. A filter is used as a complex search feature for finding issues that match a specified criterion. Any issues, which do not match this filter, are shielded until the filter is reset. This process allows users to view smaller sets of data and isolate the information they are looking for.

The filter definition also enhances readability by allowing a hidden attribute to be set in addition to the filter. This hidden attribute specifies a set of status types that are hidden by default. As mentioned above, hidden issues help to make the system more readable by only showing the desired issues. The filter definition also displays a hidden attribute that allows issues with a specific Status to be hidden from view. Hidden issues also help to make the system more readable by only showing issues with a relevant status. For example, all Closed issues are hidden by default. As a system grows, the number of closed bugs continues to grow, and these bugs become less important. If a filter is being used, then "Filter: ON" is displayed, followed by all the field components that are defined in the filter (within the brackets). There is a clear filter link if a filter is set and then a link at the end of the filter definition allows the user to toggle the hidden issues. (ie: "Closed Bugs Hidden", or "Closed Bugs Displayed")

Notes: