Deskzilla 3.2.1 Build 6510.37

Overview

Deskzilla is a desktop GUI for the Mozilla Bugzilla bug tracking software. The software provides an interactive approach to dealing with bug tracking that helps software developers keep track of bug reports, fixes in progress, testing following a possible fix, and resolution of a given software bug.

There is centralized navigation down the left side of the application which looks somewhat similar to an email package with folders and sub folders to access different areas. Tabs open up to the right of the navigation sidebar with each query run. In the lower area is where full details of each software bug is laid out.

Deskzilla provides full functionality whether the user is offline or online. Sometimes external connections via a VPN connection in a foreign country can be too slow to make a safe, reliable connection. No matter because the user can still access the full database within the software, perform searches including nested searches, and make updates. Updates with upload when it is possible to do so. If the bug update conflicts with what someone else has already entered into Deskzilla then the software attempts to resolve the conflict satisfactorily.

Installation

The installation requires 105.5 MB of available disk space. The software installed without any issues.

There was no adware, toolbars, malware, spyware or other malicious addition to the setup package.

Deskzilla requires Windows OS.

Interface

The interface is neat and modern.

A menu system sits at top, with two rows of mini toolbar buttons next down.

Bugs are grouped together and listed in the left-side pane. These can be nested several layers deep.

To the right is a basic information pane with navigational tabs for New, Resolved, IO/Storage, Memory Management, and Other.

In the bottom pane is detailed information about a specific bug with a history column hugging the left side of this pane and information about the bug filling the remainder.

Pros

• Windows GUI to integrate with Mozilla Bugzilla software
• Drag and drop feature to pull bug lists to the search facility to perform more detailed searches
• Context-based text searches
• Track the time that a bug has been worked on
• Screenshot tool included
• Tag locally to keep better track of related software bugs
• Integrate bug information with the Windows clipboard for quick exporting
• Nested search queries
• Integrated multiple Bugzilla servers in a single application
• Bugs can be broken down by field values similar to a spreadsheet
• 30 day free trial

Cons

• Will not work with any other bug software
• Complex to learn how to use at first; easy to get lost in the multitude of features

Alternatives

JIRA is a popular bug tracking software which has many of the same features as Deskzilla.

Conclusion

Deskzilla is an efficient, feature-packed bug tracking front-end for the Mozilla Bugzilla bug tracking system.