ITP: OpenProj

[Jon Reagan]

OpenProj is a project manager application, much like Microsoft Project. It uses Java (or similar runtime) to run. It is built by the good folks at Projity, Inc., and is released under an Open Source license. I have been working with the OpenProj developer for the past two months to get this application ready for the Ubuntu repositories.

I have submitted this bug as a Feature Freeze Exception, mainly because I believe this application can bring added value to the Ubuntu repositories. OpenProj is a full-featured product, and even has more functionality than Microsoft Project. OpenProj would add a professional project management application to the repositories. The software is a new package, and is currently in REVU, and has been through testing to ensure that it builds. The program so far has not been reviewed.

I have been working to enter the application in the repositories, so I am prepared to do all of the necessary work. I have also received support from a fellow launchpad member, who wanted to see OpenProj make it into the Ubuntu repositories.

OpenProj Homepage: http://openproj.org

Original Needs-Packaging bug: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/188039

[littlemike (fletchermichael)]

I'd like to second this recommendation. A project management utility inter-operable with Microsoft Project is sorely lacking on the Ubuntu repositories. In the same way OpenOffice has provided the Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint compatibility solutions to make Ubuntu/Linux a viable desktop workstation solution, OpenProj fills one last major void in the desktop workstation needs of many users.

Please give all due consideration to this request in light of the major functionality provided and expected by desktop users.

[Scott Kitterman (kitterman)]

We've got TaskJuggler already: https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/taskjuggler

So it's not a question of no project management package or this one.

[Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto)]

Fellow members of the release team may also be interested in these links:

Project forum:
http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=708856

Project bug tracker:
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=199315&atid=968997

[littlemike (fletchermichael)]

TaskJuggler (as far as I understand) is not inter-operable with Microsoft Project -- one can't exchange the work files back and forth. OpenProj can read and write MS Project files. This is critical when exchanging data with (non-Linux) colleagues or working between Microsoft and Linux platforms such as work and home.

[StefanPotyra (sistpoty)]

Hm... seems like there are quite some bugs open in the upstream bug tracker. Also it didn't get any reviews so far and is a big project with 18Mb orig-tarball. Also due to the license it would need to go into multiverse (side note: you must include the full license texts in debian/copyright, not just the references to other license files).
Hence I'd not like to draw it in for hardy directly. Imho it might be better to get it into hardy+1 and have it backported then. NACK from me, but other members of motu-release, feel free to override me.

[Scott Kitterman (kitterman)]

I agree. I can see the importance of having a package that can make use of MS Project files (and there's a good chance I'd use it), the fact that it does not appear to be mature and it's not Free make it a lower priority in my opinion.

Please work on maturing both the packaging and openproj and then get it into Intrepid and backport it. This could potentially have it available to users a month or so after Hardy's release if all goes well.

[Jon Reagan (jonreagan-deactivatedaccount)]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Since you want me to move the package into intrepid, do I need to move the software out of REVU?

If so, how do I need to do it?

Thanks!

[StefanPotyra (sistpoty)]

No you don't need to remove it from REVU. I've archived it there.

[Scott Kitterman (kitterman)]

Additionally I would urge you to use this time to work on getting openproj
into Debian (non-free or contrib I guess). That will make transition into
Ubuntu much easier and give you a broader user base.

[KK (kkfok1)]

Very interesting. I do need a project management package that can work on MS Project files. What is the progress of putting into Ubuntu repo ?

[Scott Kitterman (kitterman)]

Setting back to New (Hardy freeze issue is no longer relevant) and unsubscribing motu-release.

It looks like the packager lost interest.

[Jon Reagan (jonreagan-deactivatedaccount)]

Scott,

I haven't lost interest, but this bug can be removed. I have talked to the company which develops openproj, and they were apparently working on getting it into the commercial repos... so we will see...

Thanks,

Jon

[Ian Weisser (ian-weisser)]

Added link to Debian Bug#442032: Openproj packaging
Recommend changing to Confirmed/Wishlist
If Debian completes packaging, change to Invalid

[Sarah Kowalik (hobbsee-deactivatedaccount)]

Marking invalid here, as this will go to debian first, and get an automatic sync, or will be put into commercial.