Project management software review: Open Workbench
Version 1.0 April 15, 2005
This review is one in a series of four project-management software reviews that focus on open source and shareware alternatives to Microsoft Project. You'll find links to the other reviews and a product comparison chart on Page 2. By Janice Ward Open Workbench is a robust project planning and management package that you can use with the Clarity enterprise project portfolio. In July 2004, developer Niku released their Project Workbench application into the open source community and Open Workbench was born.

Product Specs

Version OS License Price 1.1 Windows Open Source Free

Biz Tech Rating

8 (out of 10)

Biz Tech Uses

Full-featured project planning/management tool Enterprises requiring complex project management software with integration capabilities to a project portfolio system.
Excellent documentation and active forum support Import Microsoft Project data Link sub-projects to master projects and create interproject dependencies Extensive, sharable view customizations with shareable sorts and filters Auto-schedule feature performs resource leveling and task scheduling across master project and linked sub-projects.

Caveats

Complexity makes it easy for users to get lost in the tool instead of focusing on the project. Work hours assigned to resources do not cascade through appropriate areas, creating more work than necessary.

Author Commentary

A recent additional to the open source arena, Open Workbench offers a robust feature set with the potential to convert even the most ardent Microsoft Project enthusiast. Niku's Open Workbench supports the creation of linked sub-projects and full dependency start-finish choices with lag. For enterprises needing a full project portfolio management system, Open Workbench integrates with the Niku's Clarity system. Project managers who easily lose themselves in Microsoft Project will find no relief in Open Workbench's overwhelming array of buttons, menus, and dialog boxes. However, those who need deep resource management, intricate task dependency tracking, and project costing features should find everything they are looking for in Open Workbench at a price that cannot be beat. Janice Ward has managed IT support and training operations for the last 10 years. She currently works in higher education where she manages IT support and training, data operations, and web administration. Janice specializes in finding creative, low-cost solutions for her campus' IT needs.
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Product

Import Microsoft Project files

Perfect For

Open Workbench

TechRepublic Review

Free Open Source Vendor Web site
Link subprojects and create interproject dependencies Share views, filters and sorts among users Perform resource leveling and task scheduling across master linked subprojects
Highly complex Work hours do not cascade to appropriate areas
Enterprise project planning Experienced project managers requiring a fullfeatured product
Intuitive interface Twiddlebit Plan for Windows
Cannot customize views or add fields No direct table entry--dialog box only Limited reports
Simple plans Project managers wanting to avoid Microsoft Project's complexities

7 (out of 10)

$40 per user Vendor Web site
Synchronize plans to Pocket PC or send tasks to Outlook Opens Microsoft Project files
Integrated tracking of dollars with tasks

Project-XL

6 (out of 10)
$34 per user $200 per site Vendor Web site
Actual work tracking and baseline updates give accurate picture of project status Project breakdown by phases and headings Integrated follow-up tracking
100 task limit Can over-assign resources without warning
New project managers Budget tracking and status presentation
Young product Multiple windows are confusing Duration in hours only Does not track expenses with tasks

GanttPV

5 (out of 10)
Cross-project resource lists Presents work versus effort concepts in an understandable format Scripting tools for customization and automation
Open Source enthusiasts Project managers requiring unusual features who are willing to script

Page 2 Copyright 2005 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. For more downloads and a free TechRepublic membership, please visit http://techrepublic.com.com/2001-6240-0.html.

Additional resources

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Version history

Version: 1.0 Published: April 15, 2005

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Hardware Review: Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000
By Bruce Pechman, The Muscleman of TechnologySM

bruce@mrbicep.com

If youre in the market for a new WebCam, look no further than the QuickCam Pro 4000 from Logitech. This brand new release from Logitech (August 2002) supercedes the QuickCam Pro 3000 model. The QuickCam Pro 4000 is the same WebCam I used to test and review Visual Communicator Plus last month (look for the.avi on our site shortly). For the average street price of $99, you will be hard pressed to find a better value than the QuickCam Pro 4000. Logitech has been refining and fine tuning the QuickCam product line (and similar low cost cameras) for over five years. As a result, Logitech is not only well steeped in WebCam technology, but they are the market leader in this category as well. Keep one imperative point in mind when selecting a WebCam; software. Without great driver support and a robust software package, you will be greatly disappointed. Not to worry, this is where Logitech will exceed your expectations. It comes bundled with MGIs VideoWave SE and MGIs PhotoSuite SE. You also get Logitechs Instant Messaging Video Companion that allows you to share live video with AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger. Finally, the main application you work with is Logitechs ImageStudio. ImageStudio is a feature rich intuitive software suite that allows you to learn and assemble quick video and stills. It includes built in goodies for creating fun projects and contains an album so you can find and access your creations fast. So far so good, huh? Lets briefly talk about hardware high points and specs. The QuickCam Pro 4000 can capture 1.3 megapixels in camera mode, and 640x480 in video mode (good quality VGA CCD sensor). If you think thats impressive for a petite web camera, I have much more to gloat about. It can also Zoom! Yup, it has a digital zoom that can pan and tilt (you can zoom up to about five times the normal size). It also has a built in microphone, physical snapshot button on top, green LED on indicator, and a precision swivel base allowing you to move the round eyeball camera up and down and rotate 360 degrees. The neatest thing I like is the privacy shield. Just in case someone tries to get an unauthorized peek of my 47 bare chest (how dare they), I simply slide the privacy shield over the lens to prevent the Peeping Toms! Installation is a snap; just install the main program CD, and it will prompt you to plug the USB (1.1) connector into your computer. The QuickCam Pro 4000 includes a two year warranty backed by Logitech. Should you need a little hand holding for any reason, their Website is chock full of resources. The system requirements are at least a PII running at 400MHz with 64MB RAM (or minimum RAM OS requirement, whichever is higher). It runs under Windows 98, Win ME, Win XP, or 2000. You will need 200MB of free HD space, CD-ROM drive, and available USB port. Some people are going to leave a mark on this world, while others
will leave a stain. Either way, both will look excellent with the Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000.