Bug Reporting Etiquette

Jamie Zawinski writes "Mozilla.org has a new article on Bugzilla Etiquette. Relevant to more than just Bugzilla, this should be required reading for anyone who wants to file a bug about any product, no matter what bug tracking system is in use. I especially like the mention that "'Open Source' is not the same as 'the developers must do my bidding.'"" Update: 03/19 21:26 GMT by T : If that link doesn't work for you without cutting and pasting, reader Stephen Ostermiller suggests "you might want to use this link which appears to be the same document mirrored elsewhere."

Comments

Bug report

[japhar81]

Bug number: 001
Bug location: Website
Bug symptoms: Site won't respond
Comments:
Slashdotted all to hell.

Re:Bug report

[Anonymous Coward]

I see this too ....

It works for me

Inappropriate/Appropriate

[Undaar]

Appropriate bug reporting:
"Upon clicking on Submit in ProgramX release X.X.X the system hangs and generates the following output: ..."

Inappropriate bug reporting:
"Dude! There's a huge f--king cockroach in my kitchen!!!"

Re:Inappropriate/Appropriate

[TopShelf]

Or worse yet:

"Dude! There's a huge f--king cockroach hanging in my kitchen, generating the following output..."

Re:Inappropriate/Appropriate

[Alien Being]

Try using -squish

XROACH(1) XROACH(1)

NAME
xroach - cockroaches hide under your windows

SYNOPSIS
xroach [-option .,..]

DESCRIPTION
Xroach displays disgusting cockroaches on
your root window. These creapy crawlies scamper
around until they find a window to hide under.
Whenever you move or iconify a window, the
exposed orthopteras again scamper for cover.

OPTIONS
-display display_name
Drop the roaches on the given display. Make
sure the display is nearby, so you can hear
the screams.

-rc roach_color
Use the given string as the color for the
bugs instead of the default "black".

-speed roach_speed
Use the given speed for the insects instead
of the default 20.0. For example, in winter
the speed should be set to 5.0. In summer,
30.0 might be about right.

-roaches num_roaches
This is the number of the little
critters. Default is 10.

-squish Enables roach squishing. Point and shoot
with any mouse but-
ton.

-rgc roach_gut_color
Sets color of the guts that spill out of
squished roaches. We recommend yellowgreen.

BUGS
As given by the -roaches option. Default is 10.

COPYRIGHT
Copyright 1991 by J.T. Anderson

AUTHORS
J.T. Anderson (jta@locus.com)

DEDICATION
Greg McFarlane (gregm@otc.otca.oz.au)

SEE ALSO
xroachmotel(1), xddt(1)

X Version 11 Release 4
XROACH(1)

Geeks discussing etiquette?

[l33t j03]

Whats next, some tips on how to pick up chicks?

Maybe hygiene guidance. Or which hairstyle to pick. Or a spring fashion review.

Stick to what you know, jerking off to japanimation and pointing out the flaws in sci-fi movies.

Re:Geeks discussing etiquette?

[Anonymous Coward]

Eric Raymond has some pointers on the art of making sweet love.

One rule that didn't make it...

[japhar81]

Always add bitch at the end of the feature request.

Example
Incorrect
The program could use a print preview feature, please add it.

Correct
The program could use a print preview feature, please add it, bitch.

At least that's rule #1 where I work.

This raises two important questions:

[burgburgburg]

a) What is the same as "the developers must do my bidding"?

b) What is the phrase or action that will get the developers to actually do my bidding? I'm very busy and quite imperious.

You may answer me now.

Re:This raises two important questions:

[Gerv]

a) What is the same as "the developers must do my bidding"?

"Hi, I'm Greg, your new manager."

What is the phrase or action that will get the developers to actually do my bidding?

"Please", backed up by a good reason, often works wonders. Seriously.

Gerv

WTF?

[spells]

Some of these rules may not apply to you. If they do not, you will know exactly which ones do not, and why they do not apply. If you are not sure, then they definitely all apply to you.
I'm sure they don't apply to me.

Top 10 Bad Bug Reports

[AtariAmarok]

10. My program died. I have stapled an explanation to the install diskette and it is in the mail.

9. I submitted my e-mail address to a dubious web site, and now I get spam. Could you get them to stop? It is your fault: I found the page in your browser.

7. It happened when I hit one of the keys in one of the screens and I saw a message that said something appear. I think it was that version with the 1 in the name. It might have been Mozilla or Opera, don't ask me.

6. Every time I click on the monkey to win $10,000, I never get anything. Could you add a feature in your future version that makes sure that clicks hit the right monkey?

5. The word "Ayatollah" was not spelled right in one of your web pages, www.cnn.com. Please fix immediately.

4. Mothra is attacking!!!!

3. My el33t boxen broke da bugz. 2 u now.

2. Author Stephen King dead at 54

1. My preying mantis is not housebroken, no matter how much I do. What is there to do besides scold him with "Bad bug! Bad bug!"

Re:RTFM

[Gortbusters.org]

Unfortunately, we can't even RTFA..