oDesk Tools Overview
oDesk Team
oDesk Team is the complete time-logging and verification system of the Virtual Cubicle. Team consists of three major features:
- WorkDiary: Professionals can use the WorkDiary feature of oDesk Team to summarize daily work progress by application, assignment or task.
- TimeAnalyze: Customers can confirm and verify logged hours by using the Time Analyze function, which provides charts and graphs of work activity over any period of time and for any number of team members.
- ScreenSnap: Team members can use the ScreenSnap feature to simplify and automate the process of capturing current screen data images and uploading them for browser-based viewing by other colleagues.
For information on setting up and using oDesk Team, click here.
In addition to oDeskTeam client for logging time, oDesk provides you free access to a set of tools for a more effective cooperation with Buyers. We strongly encourage you to use these tools when working on projects through oDesk.
- Mailing List - Stay in touch with your team members
oDesk Share - Share your desktop live
Screensnaps - Send a quick screenshot
Source Code Repository (SVN) - Archive and exchange files and source code
Bugzilla - Keep track of tasks and bugs
Mailing List
A mailing list is created for each oDesk assignment to allow you to easily communicate with everyone involved in it. Any email sent to the list will be distributed to you and your entire team through your registered email addresses.
Using the mailing list is helpful in:
- sending project descriptions, files, and any updates to all team members at once
- getting newly added providers up to speed on the project by giving them access to archived emails
- documenting progress, issues, and general availability to the customer and any teammates
For information on setting up and using mailing lists, click here.
oDesk Share
oDesk Share is the screen-sharing application of the oDesk Virtual Cubicle. It allows you to share your desktop live with anyone by providing them a link to your oDesk Share Session. Only a web browser with internet connection is required on the viewer's side. Optionally, the presenter can use oDesk Share to give the viewer control of the their desktop and to move the cursor and type into the presenter’s screen.
oDesk Share is convenient for:
- Holding weekly team meetings
- Demonstrating product (without making the view install them on their computer)
- Reviewing Code
- Doing QA sessions
For information on installing and using oDesk Share, click here.
Screensnaps
oDesk Team Screensnap feature allows you to quickly share a snapshot of your computer screen. With a few clicks, you can capture an image of your computer screen, draw on it and annotate it. The screensnap will be placed on a specially created, dedicated web page with a unique URL, that can be send it to your colleagues via email or IM.
For instructions on using the Screensnap feature, click here
Source Code Repository (SVN)
The SVN Repository, or Subversion, is a secure, online version control system used to manage files and source code over time. SVN remembers every change ever made to your files and directories. This allows you to recover older versions of your files and examine the history of how and when your data changed.
Benefits of using the subversion are:
- Files and directories are versioned to track changes.
- Subversion tracks who, when, and what changes have been made to the file or directory.
- Subversion implements a backup system to prevent loss of files in case of disk crashes.
For more information on setting up and using SVN, click here.
Bugzilla
Bugzilla is a web-based task and bug tracking system. Bugzilla is especially useful for medium and large teams, where managers need to distribute project tasks to a group of workers, but it is recommended for all projects.
Using Bugzilla, make it easy for you to:
- Keep the customer informed of your progress
- Manage your activities
- See what your teammates are working on
- Improve customer satisfaction
For instructions on setting up and using Bugzilla, please click here.