Developer Blog

This article has been moved. You can find it in activeCollab Tutorial.

Yes, that was just a joke! Did you really think that we would ever develop an application such as activeCollab slaveMaster edition? Features that we made up to be a part of this imaginary tool, such as “I’m in front of the computer” button, Brake Prevention Bullwhip noises, Smart Meetings Module, Strict Workflow and Task Dependency, are exactly the opposite of what we wish to integrate into activeCollab and all products that we may develop in the future. 

We strongly believe that the best results are accomplished when people have freedom of choice and creativity. Software tools should be designed to support teams and the way they work, not to limit their creativity and enforce rigid workflows. 

Having that as our credo, we continue to develope activeCollab keeping the following guidelines in mind:

• User friendly, intuitive and not intimidating
• While certain level of control is important, clear communication comes first
• Welcoming instead of overly formal
• Open and flexible, instead of rigid and closed
• Smart defaults instead of a million configuration options
• Built with extensibility in mind
• Use open standards whenever possible, but don’t get ideological about it so that it bogs down development

These are some of the reasons why activeCollab will never be a tool such as activeSlave Master! And shame on you if you thought it was :)

This article has been moved. You can find it in activeCollab Tutorial.

Planning Module is another additional module for activeCollab developed by guys from AppsMagnet company. Most of the users who have tried Reports Module are using Planning as well, because it’s a good mix to use them both in activeCollab. 

This module brings a different perspective into the project organization - you can schedule and arrange everything you wish to be done inside the project, from one place. A bird-eye view will enable you to create, edit, replace and remove all project items and put them exactly where you want. 

After the installation (that is quite simple, just follow the instructions given in the package you get after the purchase), Planning Module will be available as an additional tab in all of your Projects.

Three preview types that are offered will emphasize different aspects of your project:

1. Outline

Outline view gives a clear perspective of the project structure. You can see all your Milestones with included Tickets and Tasks here, as well as Checklists and Pages you have created. Tree like form will make it easier for you to see and organize all items in a way you wish. Colored labels of each item makes simple to track and spot them visually. 

You can even create, edit, reorder and delete project items directly from the Outline form. After clicking the Save button everything will be saved and all new and changed items will be posted in activeCollab. 

2. Cards  

Cards are bringing the project items under the spotlight. They remind of a big post-it notes where you can write everything down and make all necessary adjustments (such as set a visibility level, category, priority, define assignees, manage subscribers, choose the start and due date, make a time estimate...).

Another handy thing you can set up here is the Ticket Status. Planning Module brings new Status labels for Tickets in activeCollab - New, Reopened, Acknowledged, Assigned, Resolved and Close. 

3. Timeline   

Here you can see the Gantt Chart of your project. All Milestones, Tickets, Checklists and Tasks are displayed with their start and due dates. 

You can even have more than one project included in this preview, and have all related projects available on one sheet of paper. 

Planning Module has a clear goal - to help you organize and arrange your projects. It’s not always easy to know where are you headed with some ideas, and Planning Module may make things easier for you.