How do you document problems/fixes?

Encrypted Existence

Encrypted Existence

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Hello all. I am wondering if you guys document problems/fixes (something tells me you do) and what kind of system do you use? If you do document do you just document the problem and the fix or do you document the problem and everything that you have tried to fix it? I am looking to implement some sort of documentation system as I know it will be helpful in the future if I come across a problem that I have fixed before. Honestly I have not kept any documentation on my last few jobs and I don't want to make that a habit. Right now all I can afford is plain old paper documentation but that will have to do for now. Thanks.
 
I take detained notes of the problems, attempted fixes and successful fixes when I work on a system, and enter them into the invoice when I prepare it with QuickBooks. Works very well for recent fixes but trying to search for previous problems is sometimes problematic because QB doesn't allow regular expressions -- you get all invoices for which any of the keywords is found, i.e. way to many. That's with QB2009, but I think it's the same with later versions.
 
I use PCRT for my computer repairs and use the tech notes to detail what I have done, found, problems, promised etc. I believe the notes section will be searchable in the next version but i'm not sure how effective it will be. You only get out what you put in with these types of systems. I do sometimes think I have had a specific problem before so being aboe to search the notes should prove to be useful.
 
Martyn, the next version will also have a customizable TOOLS section where one could iFrame in a page to their own wiki.
file.php
 
degresh said:
Hello all. I am wondering if you guys document problems/fixes (something tells me you do) and what kind of system do you use? If you do document do you just document the problem and the fix or do you document the problem and everything that you have tried to fix it? I am looking to implement some sort of documentation system as I know it will be helpful in the future if I come across a problem that I have fixed before. Honestly I have not kept any documentation on my last few jobs and I don't want to make that a habit. Right now all I can afford is plain old paper documentation but that will have to do for now. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Right now, I use Excel, Word for longer descriptions and PDFs of Web pages.
The Excel and Word can include hyperlinks (which I think can be important).
I am trying to find an alternative also.

On my plate at the same time is a new ticketing/tracking system.

I am looking at CommitCRM as a possible solution (actually as I post this).
I am not very familiar with CommitCRM yet (just in the 30 day trial) but I can see that you can attach files to a KB article but not a hyperlink.
Of course you can type an URL into your resolution and then copy and paste into a browser but I would prefer something with less steps.

There are free Wikis such as 'Wiki on a Stick' and free organizers.

One of my main goals is to minimize the different pieces of software that I have to use to run my business.
I also am looking for solutions that are either portable or that I can access from the road to my office or the cloud.
I am not a big fan of cloud computing at this point so I think that it is my third choice.

I have to say that my head is spinning from all the different combinations and permutations.
I hope to at least eliminate many choices this weekend if not actually make final selections.
 
I've been using ConnectedText for about 6 months now and really like it. You can store all types of info into it, e.g. web pages, pictures, my notes, etc. Data can be stored by category and global searches can easily be done.

I have a version usable within the shop and can also clone it onto a USB flash drive to take with me when I'm onsite.

It's a little on the pricey side, but it's saved my butt on a number of occasions so I didn't have to do tedious Google searchs, e.g. what are the options on that command again? Once I've found it, I save it so it's readily available again.
 
glricht said:
I've been using ConnectedText for about 6 months now and really like it. You can store all types of info into it, e.g. web pages, pictures, my notes, etc. Data can be stored by category and global searches can easily be done.

I have a version usable within the shop and can also clone it onto a USB flash drive to take with me when I'm onsite.

It's a little on the pricey side, but it's saved my butt on a number of occasions so I didn't have to do tedious Google searchs, e.g. what are the options on that command again? Once I've found it, I save it so it's readily available again.
Click to expand...
Can you attach files such as PDF, etc?
 
glricht said:
I've been using ConnectedText for about 6 months now and really like it. You can store all types of info into it, e.g. web pages, pictures, my notes, etc. Data can be stored by category and global searches can easily be done.

I have a version usable within the shop and can also clone it onto a USB flash drive to take with me when I'm onsite.

It's a little on the pricey side, but it's saved my butt on a number of occasions so I didn't have to do tedious Google searchs, e.g. what are the options on that command again? Once I've found it, I save it so it's readily available again.
Click to expand...
I have never input to a wiki before.
Is there a step-by-step tutorial for this program?
I installed it and do not find it to be intuitive.
 
allanc said:
Can you attach files such as PDF, etc?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can include a link to whatever type of file you want as long as the file is accessible. ConnectedText creates a link to the within the text of whatever is in the article. When you click the link, the file is opened.

For example, I have a number of PDF files that I've accumulated from various sources. Copied the files into a subdir and created an article with an overview of situation and a link to the PDF.
 
allanc said:
I have never input to a wiki before.
Is there a step-by-step tutorial for this program?
I installed it and do not find it to be intuitive.
Click to expand...

Like many programs that are super flexible and meant to be customized in order to be useful, it's not all that intuitive "out of the box". In addition, the documentation is weak and therefore has learning curve.

Read the "Welcome to ConnectedText" project for a starting point.
 
glricht said:
Yes, you can include a link to whatever type of file you want as long as the file is accessible. ConnectedText creates a link to the within the text of whatever is in the article. When you click the link, the file is opened.

For example, I have a number of PDF files that I've accumulated from various sources. Copied the files into a subdir and created an article with an overview of situation and a link to the PDF.
Click to expand...
Yes, I finally started to understand it last night after my 2 posts :).
Did you evaluate any other similar programs that I might want to take a look at?
 
allanc said:
Yes, I finally started to understand it last night after my 2 posts :).
Did you evaluate any other similar programs that I might want to take a look at?
Click to expand...

Yes, but it's been a while and I don't remember which programs they were. Did some Google searches and found ConnectedText, plus found some reviews of CT and the reviews often compared it to other programs, which I then went to and checked them out.

Good luck.
 
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