Distributed development team - Tools Needed [closed]

Answer 1

For .NET environment:

• SVN server: VisualSVN server (free)
• SVN client: AnkhSVN 2.0 (open-source)
• Continuous Integration: CruiseControl.Net (open-source)
• Bug tracker: BugTracker.NET (open-source). But if you can, i would recommend Trac.

I am very satisfied with Assembla - they host SVN server and Trac for your projects for very reasonable prices (or for free if the oproject is public).

Answer 2

I think you'll need a few more things to help out with this project than what you've asked.

First, I'll give my recommendations for your list:

• Source control: git or svn, if yu use either of these, you'll need a way to let your developers know who checked in what and when, Trac is good for this for svn
• Bug tracking: Trac (not Bugzilla), Mantis, FogBuz
• Build Management: CruiseControl is great for continuous integration; if you need build scripts try Ant or Maven

Other things you will probably need:

• Collaboration tool: Trac has a wiki or pick a wiki of your choice
• Chat tools: Even though they are across timezones, instant communication will be needed. IRC, Jabber, Skype, which is great for video or audio calls over the internet.
• Project management: you'll need a way to setup your releases (sprints if using Scrum) and your backlog. My favorite tool for this is Acunote: (http://www.acunote.com). There are some other out there but they are more expensive and you get all of the features that you probable don't need.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Yes I strongly believe that in distributed teams a tool is important. Communication is hard enough if you are not working locally together. A tool like e.g Agilo for Scrum that is based on trac offers you with a wiki, a planning board (online whiteboard) and supports you in this way to improve the communication with your colleagues.