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Microsoft Team Foundation Server

1. Embrace the App store

   TFS has the potential to be a better platform for creating apps than SharePoint or CRM. Clearly Microsoft can't give us every feature we need; so we need third parties to fill the gaps. What we need is the ability to:
   • Create TFS Tables
   • Use Linq to TFS (and no, we can't require team explorer to be installed - think about hosting)
   • Create packages (e.g. a .WSP)
   • Create an app store with verification (like Apple)

2. Embrace web 2.0 (aka UserVoice)

   Every Microsoft customer using TFS should have a site called TFS.northwind.com and it should be more important to them than mail.northwind.com. It would be the portal they go to for work and the portal their customers go to. Please improve the Web Access offering (TFSWA):
   • Public and free
   • Do away with Jira
   • Do away with User voice
   • Work with the Silverlight team to replace their Silverlight User Voice with TFS
   • Work with the SharePoint team to implement a User Voice like app
   • Rename TFSWA to TFS Voice
   • Make beautiful, add lots of Silverlight and jQuery
   • Have http://tfs.northwind.com/FeatureRequests (out of the box)
     • Note: Includes fixing the licensing for Read-Only users

     

3. Embrace consistency across Microsoft products

   This one probably goes beyond Brian Harry. We need Steve Balmer to make the teams give us consistent experience when we:
   • Create TFS tables, SharePoint lists or CRM entities
   • Create a TFS project collection, SharePoint site collection or CRM organization
   • Write code using Linq to TFS, Linq to SharePoint, Linq to CRM
   • Create Packages (they should all use the WSP technology)
   • When power users customize using TFS Designer, SharePoint Designer or CRM Designer

4. Embrace components for Applications

   Give us a .dll to include in our apps that help users report problems and help developers know what is important. Functionality should give us:
   • An unhandled exception logger
   • Reports - showing the most important bugs
   • Adding KBs
   • Message boxes updating to include links to those KBs
   • Feature voting from forms
     • Like TFS Smashing Barrier
     • Reports - showing the most important features
     • Work items to include field for "web pages/Windows forms"
     • Web pages/Windows forms to show associated work items
   • Examples of when to use "Fix It"
     e.g. When a user needs to change a setting in Tools options

5. Embrace Scrum

   The Agile process template in 2010 has improved considerably. It should be enhanced further so it supports Scrum, without having to read any books on it:
   • Fix the Agile process template. Don't create a new one
   • Help planning prioritization
     e.g. $100 - for stakeholders
   • Help estimating
     e.g. using planning poker- for developers
   • Help the daily scrum - like Telerik's work item manager and burndown - for developers
   • Help the Retro - for the Scrum Team

6. Embrace TFS compare

   Process Templates are very painful to manage. Currently we have a full-time employee helping customers move from process template to another. Give us a way to:
   • Migrate Process Templates automatically
   • Migrate TFS process templates manually (allowing us to build a mapping)
   • Like SQL Compare
   • Submit to a "Process Template App Store" (that allows a business model of, say, 99c per mapping use)

7. Embrace Versioning and Branching Guidance

   

   Figure: No one is using this. Never used it... not even in demo. It needs to do much more

   What I would like is this to:

   • Select and maintain a branching strategy
   • Select and maintain a release strategy
   • Help create a Service Pack
   • Help create a Hot Fix

   Note: Additionally call out guidance common to Scrum projects. For example:

   • create a Sprint branch - this is like insurance. It gives the Product Owner the ability to cancel the sprint at any time. You do not want to be left with a half coded Sprint in your baseline code.
     or
   • introduce Continuous Deployment per Task or per PBI (recommended)

   See below for more screen captures...

8. Embrace and extend Connect

   • Include the "Connect" functionality in the box
   • Migrate Connect to TFS.webaccess.uservoice

9. Embrace KBs and all communication

   Outlook is a powerful tool and should unlock its secrets so everyone benefits. Do this by having:
   • We need an Outlook client. Team Companion is great but it's not from Microsoft and the majority of customers only use stuff that is "out of the box."
   • A Team Project should create a SharePoint KB site
   • A Team Project should create a SharePoint team discussion site
   • Outlook email integration needs to provide easy integration by:
     
     • Public [Team Project] -> Goes into a team discussion
     • Button [Insert Existing KB]
     • Create KB -> Creates a KB

     

     Figure: Outlook emails need a TFS tab to provide easy integration to KBs and making this response public

     
     

     

     Figure: Click Public and the response will be for all to read

   • Only be successful if you can update from the webpage or an email client. That means you need Facebook-style notifications (keeping the same subjects) when entries are made to these pages.

10. Embrace Performance by Piggy-backing on SQL Server

    Two things should be done:
    • Support transactional replication SQL Server (this will allow partial replication)
    • The current version of SQL Server 2008 R2 supports reading from the database mirror
      • Note: Would provide a little more than the TFS Proxy, but doesn't give us GIT

11. Embrace Samples and Guidance

    • Create three sample projects:
      • Tailspin (MVC 3)
      • AdventureWorks (Silverlight)
      • Northwind (WPF)
    • Have an App Store
      • E.g. Brian Randell would add Blue Yonder

12. Embrace a series of Miscellaneous Improvements

    • Deleting projects currently leaves debris that you can see in the warehouse even after rebuilding

13. Embrace task tracking for the masses

    >I know a college sophomore who used her father's TFS to keep track of a semester long research project (with three other students) that had nothing to do with programming at all. They simply loved the ability to keep revision controlled copies of all of their work, and to have a means of tracking the status (especially who was responsible for what, and when).
    David V. Corbin

    Enough said...

    Add a bit of nice integration with SharePoint and then we would have a great solution to offer many teams inside organizations.

14. Work Items - Help me embed images in the description (this HTML feature is IMPORTANT)

    (Just like the above suggestion) We need VS.NET to also give us a great HTML work item.

    There needs to be an easy way to embed a screenshot into the details of a work item instead of having to attach it to the work item - ideally it should be as easy as a HTML email in Outlook.
    
    It must have 100% parity with Outlook - that is I should be able to copy from outlook and paste into a work item (complete with exact formatting and images).
    Note: If you can't do that, then show an IE control with a preview of the .msg file.
    
    Figure: We also need the same in VS.NET. The Work Item description field needs to support HTML and images. That is 100% parity with Outlook so we could copy from an Outlook email and paste into VS.NET
    

15. Work Items - Help me embed videos in the description (like you can with Live Writer)

    Please embed videos in the description like you can do this in Live Writer.

16. Create project Wizard - Help me create the perfect Team Project

    Note: This idea was conceived over a few reds with Adam Cogan and the strategic thinker Richard Hundhausen
    
    Get the New Project Wizard to help developers avoid common mistakes e.g. labeling, versions, patching after release. This great new Wizard should help those who have not read a book about SCM (source control management) design patterns.
    
    

    

    Figure: Enter your features and it will create your iterations

    
    

    

    Figure: Enter your promotion levels and folder structure will be created - it will also create a document that developers/IT admins are to follow when they complete coding

    
    

    

    Figure: How do you isolate your work?

    
    

    

    Figure: How do you do Hot Fixes?

    
    

    

    Figure: How do you do your version?

    
    

    

    Figure: Finish

    
    

17. Explorer Integration * Fixed by Microsoft TFS Power Tools 2008 *

    Explorer integration please:

    • The explorer integration of what state things are in (modified, committed, etc)
    • Who is the latest author who has worked on each item
    • What was the last revision the file was modified in

    Note: Scott Hanselman has got this working with the CodePlex TFS Bridge - see How To: Use the SVNBridge to get TortoiseSVN working with CodePlex

    Note: The CodePlex team at Microsoft is rumoured to unleash a Subversion to TFS Bridge. Essentially, it's Subversion on the outside, creamy TFS filling on the inside. If it works, it's quite an interesting technical accomplishment - see CodePlex To Roll Out TortoiseSVN Support

    Note: Ben Day has a commercial third party add - see explorer integration with TFS

    
    Note: this screenshot is from Subversion.
    
    
    Figure: Subversion has a very nice explorer integration which we need in TFS (especially when using it for projects that don'tused VS.NET)

18. VSS we need the backend to be SQL Server? * Fixed by the release of Microsoft TFS *

The speed is so slow it is unusable over a VPN.

19. Backup - Backup and a restore option?

    We do not have any backup and restore option in TFS. I would like it to be consistent with SQL Server.
    Therefore I would expect it to go to a Team Project, right click, and choose "Backup".
    PS: Of course I want everything, Source Code, SharePoint, Reporting Services reports etc.
    

    
    Figure: 'Back Up' and 'Restore' options should exist under a Team Project right click menu (and ideally for on Server menu too)
    
    
    Figure: SQL Server databases have 'Back up' and 'Restore' option - so should TFS
    

    I want to right click "Back Up" and put the file on the web.

    Someone else should be able to download and restore. Just like SQL Server :-)

    It should include:

    • Work items
    • SharePoint docs

    Note: Before archiving it should check for linked work items + checkins across multiple projects, and deal with it, or give validation.

20. Source Control - When comparing differences between two versions, you should be able to edit in place

    TFS's differences comparison utility is pretty much the same like VSS's. It is still a read-only UI.
    
    Figure: Team Foundation Server's differences comparison utility should allow in place editing

    Note #1: Until they fix this, you need to configure VS.NET to use Beyond Compare - the best one (or another one like WinMerge or one of the many other diff/merge tools)

    Note #2: Consider DiffDog for XML.

21. Source Control - Annotate should enable to edit in place

    Annotate should allow us to:

    • Edit (expect to see it fixed in 2010)
    • Show deleted lines (not likely in 2010)
    • Have a slider to go back and forth in time (I am dreaming!)

22. Show file sizes in source control explorer (useful when on a slow connection)

    The "Get Progress" dialog has been showing for the last 5 minutes. It would be nice to know how big the file is that I'm getting.

    The dialog should show the progress as a % of the file size transferred and show how many megabytes to go.

    

    Figure 1 - Bad Example - The user can't see how long they have left, before the "Get Latest" is finished

    

    Figure 2 - Good Example - TeraCopy shows the user which files are completed, how much has been transferred and how much to go

23. Source Control - It should automatically merge offline edited files * Fixed by Microsoft in TFS *

    It should automatically merge offline edited files. Currently when you come back onto the network it doesn't merge, instead it asks "Which file do you want to keep?" e.g. If you edit one function online and edit another function one offline why not just merge them?

24. VSS - It needs to able to accept connections over the Internet * Fixed by Microsoft in TFS *

    I want to use my source control system over HTTP.

25. VSS - Update File Dialogs * Fixed by Microsoft in TFS *

    The file dialogs are very old and badly need an update. Currently even UNC's are time consuming to access.

26. VSS - make it scalable * Fixed by Microsoft in TFS *

    Update: It is good to see the new Microsoft TFS has solved most of the big problems I had with VSS, the ones left are much smaller issues in comparison. Today Visual Source Safe (aka VSS) is only targeted towards the needs of individual developers or small developer teams. Microsoft has created a new source control system named Team Foundation Server, a part of Visual Studio Team System. This product has addressed just about all of VSS's shortcomings and make it suitable for larger, disconnected teams.

    
    Until Microsoft makes a version of SourceSafe that works with SQL Server, we have to rely on alternative, 3rd party tools for source control.
    
    

27. CRM Integration in TFS

    Work items should be able to have a link to a Customer in a CRM system.
    If you are using Microsoft CRM then it should work out of the box, if you aren't, then it should be able to work by providing just a connection string and SQL query to the customer's table (in the Team Project Properties).

28. Work Items Alerts - Get notified when a bug is fixed

    Customers should be notified with all details which:

    • Can be read offline in an email
    • Informs them when a bug is fixed
    • Informs them when the release comes out

    This needs an Outlook client, see Rules to Better Project Management with TFS: Development & Reporting

29. Other - TFS Version

    In SQL Server I run SELECT @@version to get the version number. In TFS it's too hard to find out whether the SP1 is installed. Users should be able to run a command line to get the version.

    E.g. "devenv.exe /version" or "tfs.exe /version"

    Plus it should return the type eg Standard, Enterprise

30. Timesheets - Solution for Time Sheets that kills off Project Server

    

    Figure: Almost every company I have visited has a 'home brew' solution to timesheets, with a long list of things they need.

    The time sheets solution that Microsoft supplies should:

    • Be able to be generated automatically from the work items
    • Not just for developers. The solution should be able to be used by accountants and lawyers if they want timesheets.
    • Work inside VS.NET + TFSWA (but use Silverlight)
    • Integrate with CRM (or a SharePoint web part) so a user can enter timesheets here if they choose
    • Kill off the timesheet part of Project Server

    P.S. If you won't fix this and want us to use Project then help us. I have spoken to many, many developers and I can say that most don't know what MS Project is or anything about the integration with TFS. It would be nice if there is a video showing us how to use it for timesheets

    It would be great if it can cater for consulting companies (e.g. software firms, engineering firms, accounting firms) and require everyone on the team to enter 40 hours.

    The goal should be that all developers on a project enter their 40 hours a week into TFS?

    Developers will hate you for it. Many companies outside the Microsoft world will love you for it... Plus you will get great reports

    There are a couple of 3rd party solutions today:

    

    Figure: Timesheet solution #1 - Chris Menegay's http://www.notionsolutions.com

    

    Figure: Timesheet solution #1 - Chris Menegay's http://www.teamexpand.com/product/tx-chrono

31. Other - Add a search filter for team projects

    I like that the UI for this dialog is consistent between Visual Studio, Team Web Access and Test and Lab Manager. However, the UI is consistently bad!

    It is a pain to scroll if you have lots of Team Projects. The dialog needs to have a search filter so you can quickly type a few letters in the Team Project name and narrow down the list.

    

    Figure: Bad Example - Connect to Team project from Team Project becomes difficult when there are a lot of projects

    

    Figure: Bad Example - Connect to Team project from Team Web Access becomes difficult when there are a lot of projects

    

    Figure: Bad Example - Connect to Team project from Lab and Test Manager (aka Camano) becomes difficult when there are a lot of projects

    

    Figure: - Good Example - Quickly search and select the items you need - no need to scroll 100 items!

32. Other - Help me diagnose TFS Administration permission issues

    I was trying to run the TfsConfig tool and I kept getting the message:

    TF55038: You don't have sufficient privileges to run this tool. Contact your Team Foundation systemadministrator."

    This message made me think that it was something to do with the Install permissions as it is always recommended to use a single account to do every install of TFS.

    I did not install the original TFS on our network and my account was not used to do the TFS2010 install. But I did do the upgrade from 2010 beta 2 to 2010 RC with my current account.

    So I proceeded to do some checking:

    1. Am I in the administrators group on the server?

       

       Figure: Yes, I am in the administrators group on the server

    2. Am I in the Administration Console users list?

       

       Figure: Yes, I am in the Administration Console users list

    3. Have I reapplied the permissions in the Administration Console users list ticking all the options?

       

       Figure: Make sure you check all of the boxed if you want to have all the admin options

       

       Figure: Yes, I have made sure that all my options are correct

    4. Am I in the Team Foundation administrators group?

       

       Figure: Yes, I am in the Team Foundation Administrators group

    5. Is my account explicitly SysAdmin on the Database server?

       

       Figure: Yes, I do have explicit SysAdmin on the database

    Can you guess what the problem was?

    The command line window was not running as the administrator!

    As with most other applications there should be an explicit error message that states:
    "You are not currently running in administrator mode; please restart the command line with elevated privileges!"
    This would have saved me 30 minutes.

33. Other - Give us an Outlook Add-in, in the box

    

    Figure: We need a button like this in Outloot

    The TFS team do a good job with Excel and Project integration. The next one they need is an Outlook add in. It needs to be as good as TeamCompanion.

34. Other - Service Manager 2010

    Would be great to have a WhitePaper explaining Service Manager 2010 features + the benefits of connecting it up with TFS 2010
    Would really help planning.

35. Build - A built in workflow to deploy a version to staging/production

    There needs to be a work flow integrated in TFS so you can send a 'test please' email with a link to "Test Passed" or "Test Failed".
    Then you could remove the permission for a developer to put a version into production without a "Test Passed" confirmation.
    The workflow would mean that once the tester 'approves' the test, it moves it from 'Test' to 'Staging/Production'. No developer involved...

    E.g. Today it can be done with TFS Deployer Getting Started with TFS Deployer

    

    Figure: A developer should not be able to select "Production" until this build has been passed

36. Build - workflow events

    Give us a few events.

    So I can build a workflow, to automatically deploy when I change the Build Quality to "Staging/Production".

    Upon that event it would run a WF/MsBuild/Powershell script to deploy it.

    E.g.

    if event(newbuild) compile run tests (the current build process) if event(staging) build ready for staging deploy to staging + send an email

37. Build - be consistent

    I don't want to become good at WF (preferred), MSBuild and Powershell. I can live with 2 but not 3.

38. New Project - Be able to choose services for a new team project

    When creating a new team project, users should be able to choose what services are available.
    This applies to creating a SharePoint Portal, Reporting Services Portal and Source Control.

    We need to have TFS solve the scenario of creating a help desk system (for a team that only want the work items)

    So this should be a ticketing system - so you need a KB system as well

39. Source Control - Rollback should be available in the GUI

    At the moment, the only way to roll back changes is to run a command line script (See Rules to Better Project Management with TFS: Do you know how to rollback changes in TFS? ) It would be nice if we could right click a file and do the same thing. Much like the Get Specific Version command

    Note: I am predicting that Martin Woodward will beat Microsoft to this

    
    
    Figure: We are missing a Rollback choice

    Then we could specify which revision to get based on a changeset number, date or label.

    
    

40. Other - Make TFS support multi-tenancy (almost resolved in 2010)

    Note: Expected to be pretty much done in 2010, but reporting cannot leak out data. Sometimes one team will not want another team to see their work items.

    This is the reason that we don't see Hosted TFS (other than one attempt by Readify).
    Importantly the implementation should be consistent with all other teams that invest heavily in hosting scenarios. So I would like to see a consistent implementation for Exchange Server, WSS and CRM 4

    

    Figure: Work with the CRM 4 team to make both experiences consistent

41. Help me refresh the TFS Cube

    There should be a context menu on the team project to save you learning how to do it the hard way

    

    Figure: We need an option on the right click menu to "Reprocess data warehouse"

    Note: Since I triggered this manually I want to be informed when the Process has been completed.

42. Cube - Add the time it takes to run unit tests into the TFS Cube

    In the test results table there is a start time and a finished time but there isn't a duration. However, duration in the .trx file is the key value users want to know.

    

    Figure: should be able to see a graph like this based on the cube

43. Cube - Add the estimated time into the Data Warehouse

    Need this field in the data warehouse.

    Note: I can live without it not being in the cube.

44. Cub - Sort dimension Date in TFS Cube on key column

    Update: Need to test this in 2010 - Data should be under 'Work item' too

    

    Figure: Microsoft standard TFS Analysis database TFSWarehouse

    

    Figure: Pivot table based on "Team System" cube does not allow sorting on Month (it should be sorted from December to January)

45. Cub - Validate dates in the Date dimension

    

    Figure: Invalid dates in Microsoft cube "TFS System" in the dimension "Date"

46. Source Control - Make Shelving an option when closing a solution or project

    If you have set Visual Studio to check in everything when closing a solution or project as per the below:

    

    Figure: Check in everything option is checked

    The screen shown when closing should also include the ability to shelveset rather than check in (commit) the changed files to the repository. The work may still be in progress and should be saved somewhere accessible by others, not just stored on the local machine.

    

    Figure: There is no option to shelveset changes

47. Reports - Add a report about Created vs Resolved

    I would like a report about Created vs Resolved issues like below:

    

    Figure: The report which shows the created issues number vs resolved issues number. Green are successful days - so you expect lots of red at the beginning, and green at the end. This way you can see when the release is coming to an end.

48. Reports - Add a built in report 'Release Notes'

    

    Figure: TFS should include a 'Release Notes' report that we can include on our web pages

    

    Figure: Also give a 2nd even nicer 'Release Notes' report, with grouping for bugs and features

49. Reports - Add a report that shows developers estimates vs actual (their accuracy in estimating)

    

    Figure: Here is data for Joe Blow. I want to see the best estimator by plotting each task with the estimate vs actual + I would like to see an estimator getting better over time.

50. Source Code - Team Explorer - Give me a context menu

    I want a content menu in Source Control Explorer "Open with..." and "Open with Notepad" and "Copy Local Path" and "Copy Server Path"

    

    Figure: We need 4 additional options

51. Reports - Give me a report that shows the priority and the quality of the current features

    

    Figure: We need a report like this in Excel and Reporting Services (built in or in Power Tools)

    Please add in as a reporting services report - not just Excel. And it needs a legend included:

    Legend:
    Yellow = They're OK
    Red = They don't have bandwidth to do that feature

52. Work Item - Add a hyperlink control so a click takes me to the file **CHECK IF Fixed in Rosario

    Note: Ignore this if you can switch this form to use WPF - because then I can do it myself really quickly

    

    Figure: TFS has better add hyperlink can takes us to the file

53. Work Item - Help me enter time taken + give me a report of Productive time

    I want to resolve a work item, by the work item asking me for the time taken. While I am looking at it, a window under it would be playing what I have been doing since the last work item.

    

    Figure: Help me enter time taken. A quick fix would be to buy TimeSnapper or RescueTime

    

    Figure: I would like to see a report like this across my team

54. Other - Add Users into TFS server, SharePoint server, and SQL Reporting Services server with just one form

    Note: Add one more Analysis Services. In 2010 we might see Excel reports using the cube. If so then these Project managers will need a reader role added too

    • Integrate "Team Foundation Server Administration Tool"
    • So you don't need Team Foundation Server Administration Tool (ignore that pages says beta. Just follow the link to CodePlex)

55. Other - Add the TFS BPA into the default install

    Bill Essary from Microsoft produced the great BPA. It should in on the default install, on the start menu. Do more:

    1. Include it in default install, on the start menu
    2. In 2010 give us a TFS Manager - MMC thing - and make a right click "Check Health"
    3. Make it do more. e.g. you are running over privileged accounts (tfsservice needs the loginasservice right only)

    More info TFS BPA - View 2: Seeing the tool from a PowerTool end-user perspective

56. Microsoft should release an Outlook Addin (for TFS Work Items)

    Or purchase:

    • Outlook TFS Addin from: Outlook 2007 TFS Addin
    • Team Look from: Team Look
    • Team Companion

    More info on How we use Outlook for completing TFS tasks and sending 'done' emails

57. Create Project - UI for no source control and no reports (and no crosses)

    

    Figure: I don't want these crosses if I didn't create a WSS or RS

58. Reports - Add a report evidence based scheduling

    

    Figure: Show me the Probable Ship Date

    I want the probability date + to see if I am adding work to a release, faster than they can do them. More by someone who knows how to do it right Evidence Based Scheduling

59. Other - TFS needs to include a unit test runner

    TFS needs to include a unit test runner like NUnit: NUnit Home Page

60. Work Items - Add standard Work Items to an iteration

    Any software iteration has a bunch of standard items (such as testing, administration etc). It would be great if these could be included with a simple click, rather than having to enter them all in manually.

61. Add estimate time on the UI when user fire up a get or deletion

    The server should know how long it takes, so the user know then they won't cancel the task (TFS 2008 doesn't have server cancelation right now, will add in 2010).

    

    Figure: TFS Get Progress dialog

62. Work Items - Improve Work Item "Links"

    Basically you should link items together when you think they are the same bug. When you solve one - it might indicate that the related bugs are fixed too.

    So it's nice to have

    • Add a column in the "Links" tab that shows the status of the other work items.
    • If a work item is resolved it shows as a strikethough.
    • When you change the "State" to "Resolved", pop a messagebox saying "This task has 2 links which are not resolved."
    • When you open an existing work item and some are now resolved, pop a messagebox saying "Since you last looked at this item, 2 related items have been resolved, which may indicate that this bug is also resolved."

63. What are the alternatives to TFS?

    There might be a lot of things the team need to do, but I haven't come across a source code solution close to as good as it is today. These are the alternatives I see:

    • Source Safe - non scalable
    • CVS - was good 7 years ago
    • Subversion - the 2nd best option
    • SourceGear Vault
    • IBM Jazz
    • Perforce - a terrible cryptic interface
    • StarTeam
    • Source Integrity

64. How can they do this?

    It is not easy, but one small thing I would suggest is, reducing the testing matrix by supporting:

    • SQL 2008 only
    • Windows Server 2008 only
    • 64 bit only - see James Manning supports 64 bit only too

65. Project Templates - Help me deploy my changes to all team projects

    The problem: Currently when you change a report (or work item definition etc), you need to manually deploy to all existing team projects.
    This is a complicated process for a developer, as they need to work out what the various command lines, they will need to successfully deploy.

    Solution #1: (simple)
    

    1. Add a field to a project 'TemplateName'. This stores the template it was created from (and gets updated from)
    2. Add a DeployChangesToAllTeamProjects.ps (a powershell script that iterates through projects and updates the relevant ones)

    Solution #2: (ideal)
    

    1. Do the above
    2. Then add UI to the 'Process Template Manager'
    3. When you make a new report (or work item definition etc), you would press an "Upload and Deploy" on the 'Project Template Manager'

    

    Figure: Need an "Update and Deploy" button

66. Improve the About Box

    I instructed one of my guys to tell me what a client's environment is (for upgrade purposes). He says:

    They have TFS 2008 SP1. That is the latest version. So nothing to do.

    He got the info from here...

    

    This is incomplete, so I would like more shown so he could tell me something like this:

    

    So you need:

    1. More information on all the components
    2. A 'Check For Update' button
    3. A hyperlink to 'Upgrade Instructions'

67. Finding all my data via web service

    I want to loop through all the data I have in CRM4 to implement proper search in SharePoint.
    There is a web service http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-au/library/cc151047.aspx

    How do I do this today for my TFS data? It would be great to have a consistent offering from TFS.

68. How should I know what my current machine is in the list of workspaces?

    In VS 2008 go to "Source Control" | "Workspaces"
    

    

    Figure: Select list of Workspaces from VS 2008

    How do I see what my current machine is?

    

    Figure: Add an indicator (CURRENT MACHINE), and a column called: "Last time accessed this TFS"

69. Help me know what 'check-in' is about to do

    Scenario

    1. I browse through a solution
    2. Open files in code view or designer (and those files get checked out automatically... I don't think they should)
    3. Then I do my daily check in
    4. I see a lot of checked out files
       I am scared... I don't want to lose any changes... but...
       So what did I do?

       

       Figure: This dialog should not show files that have not changed. Maybe add a button "# of changed lines"

    5. Then I write a comment like: "Not sure what I did, but I did no change at all"
    6. Click on "Check In" - it gives me

       

       Figure: The UI should be changed so this dialog never occurs

    7. AHHHH... WHAT A RELIEF

    Suggestion
    

    

    Figure: The UI should be changed so this dialog never occurs

70. Do you use the term "Iteration" instead of "Sprint" or "Release"?

    It is important that we are consistent in how we call bundles of work. TFS uses Iteration by default and that is how you should also refer to a grouping of work items.

                  Hi Peter, 
                  
                  Can I get you to approve the following tasks that will be in the next Release 02?           
                  - Order Form - Mockup
                  - Order Form - Database Schema 
                  - Order Form - UI
                  - Options Form - Mockup
                  - Options Form - UI  
                  
                   Regards,
                   Andy  
                  

    Figure: Bad example - some customers think a release is a module or particular feature set

     
                Hi Peter,
    
                Can I get you to approve the following tasks that will be in the next Sprint?
                  - Order Form - Mockup
                  - Order Form - Database Schema
                  - Order Form - UI
                  - Options Form - Mockup
                  - Options Form - UI
    
                Regards,
                Andy
                    

    Figure: Bad example - Sprint is not a common term outside of scrum and customers are not familiar with it

     
                Hi Peter,
    
                Can I get you to approve the following tasks that will be in the next Iteration 02?
                  - Order Form - Mockup
                  - Order Form - Database Schema
                  - Order Form - UI
                  - Options Form - Mockup
                  - Options Form - UI
    
                Regards,
                Andy
                    

    Figure: Good example - Iteration is used to say that the following work items are going to be worked on next

71. Why do we need a pGUID in the URL's in Team Web Access?

    Clean up the links in Team Web Access to make it easier to send to others...

    

    Figure: Even this link has a pGUID...

    Currently the URL's are horrible:

              http://tfs.ssw.com.au/tfs/web/wi.aspx?id=12650&pguid=406b9537-bcff-4f4a-90dc-f1fca88e7d33
              http://tfs.ssw.com.au/tfs/web/UI/Pages/WorkItems/WorkItemEdit.aspx?id=12650&pguid=406b9537-bcff-4f4a-90dc-f1fca88e7d33
             

    Much better:

              http://tfs.ssw.com.au/tfs/web/wi.aspx?id=12650
             

72. Remove spaces from URL's for readability

    Working at TFS I find myself using URLs all the time

    Why are the words "Team" and "Shared" used on the default portal?

    There is nothing else called "team" or "shared" there, and they really do *not* add any value.
    In fact they *remove value* because they add those horrible "%20" to the URL's that make them less friendly for users.

                http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Team%20Wiki
                http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Shared%20Documents
               

    Should be:

                http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Documents
                http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Wiki 
               

73. Why is the selected dashboard still visible?

    When you select a dashboard, the link remains clickable in the menu! This encourages users to click it again and puts extra load on the server. If a user is on a page, they should not be able to click that link again.

    

    A better option:
    1. Have the link completely disappear from the list so that it only shows other dashboards. (Recommended)
    2. Remove the link from the selected page.

74. Help me create fewer queries

    Most people create two queries:
    1. The first to do query the work items they want
    2. The second to query the same + "Active"

    

    Figure: Developers should not have to keep creating copies of queries + "Active"

    Make this easier by adding an "Active" link next to each query (this will auto add "Active" to that query)

    If you are feeling generous, you could add filtering to all of the columns like the Telerik Work Item Manger:

    

    Figure: Telerik gives filters on the column headers - TSWA should do the same

75. Help me query my iterations with zero speed bumps

    When we create iteration, you always try to remember the manual step of creating a query to go with it.

    Note: Would also be good for it to send an email... for tracking with the URL to follow... similar to the email that SharePoint sends for a new portal or Facebook sends

    

    Figure: These queries should be automatically created, when you create a new iteration

76. Suggestion - more improvements for Add Reference

    We know how long it takes to load this famous dialog in Visual Studio 2008.

    

    Figure: there are 3 things to make the process of adding references to VS.NET better

    Suggestion #1: Allow me to make a simple _AddMyStandardReferences.bat
    Do this by adding a checkbox above
    [x] Record into a .bat file
    Have it create that .bat file

    Suggestion #2: Allow me to see the popular references
    Do this by adding a column "Popularity"

    Suggestion #3 Why not drag drop references from the file system?
    

    

    Figure: The mouse cursor suggests it is possible to drag a reference onto the project...

    

    Figure: Boooo... But the DLL's get added as content in the project... :-(

    

    Figure: Doesn't work in VS2010 either

    

    Figure: The Result is not a reference :-(

    At least is the "Add reference" dialog in VS2010 is faster and not so painful, but these 3 suggestions would make it great.

77. Subscribe to a User Story in TSWA

    Can I ask the TFS team to add the following user story?

    As an employee
    I would like to be able to subscribe to a User Story
    So that I can track its progress and completion.

    

    Figure: Now I know this is easy to do in Visual Studio with "Alert on Change"

    

    Figure: I mean for customers... Boy oh boy... they too want it in Team System Web Access

78. Stories Overview report need to show totals

    The report needs footer to the table to show "Total Hours Remaining" and "Total Tests".

    

    Figure 1 - Stories Overview Report needs to show the total hours

79. Stories Overview report needs to show tasks

    Looking at your project at a high level is fantastic and great for evaluating the general situation but sometimes it is also beneficial to know about the details as well. The current "Stories Overview" report only shows "User Stories".
    It would be great if there was an extra parameter:
    "[ ] Show Tasks"

    That will show the tasks assigned to the User Story and whether they are completed or not.

    

    Figure 1 - Stories Overview Report

    

    Figure 2 - Stories Overview Report needs to show tasks and total hours

80. Why does changing an iteration break a query?

    If you rename an iteration that is used in one or more queries, those queries break. Because of this, our developers really do not want to make any changes to the iterations because they do not know what it will break!

    

    Figure: This scenario should be handled automatically

    There are two options for solving this:
    1. Can all the queries be updated automatically when you change a referenced iteration? (Recommended)
    2. Offer the ability to select the iteration before loading the query if it can't be found?

81. Work item - Add "Paste to Current Work Item" button

    I love how Joel Semeniuk released this great TFS app that solves the old image on the clipboard, to TFS work item problem ... This makes it easy to get work items into TFS...

    

    Figure: We need a button like this to paste an image from the clipboard

    So go ahead and test Joel's great button above... demo to your customers. They will want it.
    The TFS team should add this button to the TFS work item (so it an out of the box experience)

82. Work items - need to make the attachments more visible

    

    Figure: Make it clearer when a work item has attachments. Show all the attachments on the Details tab, like Outlook does.

    Alternative

    

    Figure: As an alternative you could change the tab from 'Attachments' to 'Attachments (2)'

83. TFS Power Tools - confusing name

    We are having problems updating our SSW Diagnostics scanner as it has the following unrecognized version in http://www.ssw.com.au/ssw/Diagnostics/

    Currently showing "Microsoft Visual Studio 2010"

    It should show as "Microsoft Team Foundation Server 2010 Power Tools".

    Location - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Team Foundation Server 2010 Power Tools\TFPT.EXE

    

    Figure: It should show as "Microsoft Team Foundation Server 2010 Power Tools".

84. TFS 2010 Cable unplugged - Remove nasty error message

    Open VS 2010 ?This error shows

    

    Figure - when you open VS 2010 this error should *not* show. Way too nasty. Replace it with the nice one (next figure).

    To Repro:
    • Pull out plug
    • Open VS
    • Click "OK" on error message above
    • Close VS 2010 and reopen
    • Then 2nd time you get the below - it is much nicer

    

    Figure: Click "OK" above and reopen VS 2010... 2nd time you get this? A much nicer experience

85. Suggestion Missing Right Click "Copy" + Missing Formatting

    

    Figure: It would be nice to have 2 more menus "Copy" and "Send to Word"

    

    Figure: This is the ugly text you get from the "Paste"

    

    Figure: This is the pretty table you *should* get from the "Paste"

    BTW this is similar to this suggestion I gave in 1992 for Windows Forms DataGrids

86. Project - Missing 'Story Points'

    Out of the box Excel has these 2 fields

    

    Figure: Good - Excel has "Story Points" and "Stack Rank" out of the box

    Unfortunately, Project is missing both fields from the 'Out of the Box' experience
    You can add 'Stack Rank' and 'Baseline Work' without too much trouble... but

    

    Figure: The worst part is it seems to be missing 'Story Points'

    Can anyone help?

87. TFS 2010 - Bug in "Refresh" button in Microsoft Project

    

    Figure: To repro - open both "Open in Microsoft Excel" and "Open in Microsoft Project"

    

    Figure: Add a new user story

    

    Figure: Good - Excel's Refresh shows the new Work Item

    

    Figure: Bad - Project's Refresh does *not* show the new Work Item

88. TFS 2010 Suggestion - Enable finding tests easier

    When I add a new file with a few unit tests, I would like to quickly find them. I would love you to give me:
    • a new column "File name"
    • right click "Filter to [ ] " and/or
    • new column "Date Modified"

    

    Figure: I want a way to see the tests only in this file 'CreditCardTests.cs'

89. ALM Icons on the File Menu

    

    Figure: A little one, but every bit of branding helps. And visibility on the 'File' menu would surely be handy

    

    Figure: Also add the icon for 'Work Items'

90. Scrum Template - Tell me where to put your 'definition of done'

    I wish it was obvious where to put the definition of done

    

    Figure: I love the default text here

    

    Figure: Can we have default text here ?something like this that indicates where to put the 'definition of done'

    Personally I would prefer to only have one wiki location for all sprints. I have rules and they are not changing :-)

    But for new people to Scrum...
    They don't know where to store it. They should be given a pointer, so they know where to enter their DOD.
    A little guidance too would be nice.... A little bit of default text in VS or a wiki would get them going.
    They should see a few default DODs (simple, medium, hard)...
    PS: the harder ones would list more and more of the features of VS 2010.

    Then they would get the idea to start simple, and make improvements over time... I thought devs might want to see past DODs - since we are using a version control system.

    But like I said, I would not want to store it per sprint, but rather at a central wiki location...

91. Linking bugs back to the origin

    I think this is a cool report

    

    Figure: Cool Report - But how do you get a Bug into the "Bugs" column on this report?

    Give me something obvious on the UI of the 'Bug' work item... So I know how to do this
    I have tried going to the 'tasks' tab

    

    Figure: Can't add - see the yellow warning icon

    So I try on the 'Links' tab

    

    Figure: Don't know what to choose?

92. Is there a point doing this for the scrum process template?

    I guess not - but I am assuming that if there was a report ?the answer would be 'yes'

    

    Figure: You can link it via this method. Is there a purpose?

93. Why don't the dashboard graphs have a date filter?

    The dashboard graphs do not allow the ability to edit the date range from the dashboard page, so xxx.

    

    Figure: Data looks very stale with little movement - what I would like to see is ???

    When you work in projects that are on going with iterations of a few weeks with stagnant periods [say again or add commas] the data can look very stale. To prevent this each graph should have the appropriate date ranges easily selectable in a combobox.

    For example, "Task Progress" combo box should have:
    • This week
    • Last week
    • Last Two weeks (Default)
    • Last Month
    • Last 3 Months
    • Last 6 Months

94. TFS2010 Suggestion - Typing in the Dropdown menu should filter

    Typing in the Dropdown menu should filter
    (of course use the built in combobox, if it requires a change to that, modify it and include that as a new property for us to use too)

    Also include a 2nd column that includes some sample data
    (does not have to be real data)

    

    Figure: Typing in the Dropdown menu should filter

95. TFS 2010 - TF.EXE make the format Clearer (little one)

    You want to visually recognize that Workspaces are under Collections E.g.
    • Add an extra line before collection
    • Indent all the stuff under each collection

    

    Figure: Make the workspaces appear under a collection

    

    Figure: Also a hook into DOS view from the UI would be useful. Otherwise you need to Google around. Here is a potential spot in the UI to get to it.

96. TFS 2010 - Less Friction - Add 2 more places to add a bug

    Watching a couple who really struggled for a minute or two to add a bug today...
    Being C guys... they are a little slow :) ...and did not know to try right clicking on other nodes.
    They really expected it to be on the right click menu and on the toolbar.

    

    Figure: Add 'Add Bug' to the toolbar and the right click menu of a query

97. Messagebox needs a "try again" button (little one)

    Saw this with a student today

    

    Figure: Give me a chance to plug in the cable, or include an image of how to turn it back on later via the File | Source Control menu

    ---------------------------
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    ---------------------------
    Go Offline
    The Team Foundation Server http://sswtfs:8080/tfs/defaultcollection is currently unavailable.
    This solution will be opened offline.
    ---------------------------
    OK Help
    ---------------------------

98. TFS 2010 Documents Suggestions - rename to 'Document Library'

    

    Figure: If you rename it to 'Document Library' people would know (instantly) it is actually SharePoint

    

    Figure: And it would be good to change the icon to use the same one

99. TFS 2010 Documents Suggestions - Link would be nice, so I can open the 'Document Library' on SharePoint

    

    Figure: What was the reason to not give us an 'Open in Portal' hook?

    This hook would open a URL like http://tfs2010server/sites/DefaultCollection/Deva.O

    

    Figure: Want a quick shortcut to this Document Library

100. TFS 2010 Excel Integration - I want to press "OK" even when no results

     ...because I want the query to add work items

     

     Figure: Allow me to press "OK" so I can add some data

101. TFS 2000 RTM - Help me know the problem when I can't create a team project (aka Error Log Hell)

     When user is trying to achieve a simple task... and that application gives an error... and the user then has to open a log file... and then that user has try to work out what the error is... they are experiencing 'error log hell'. Too often apps give errors in logs, rather than a validation error. I always believe going to the logs should be exception ?not the rule.
     
     This is a good example of this TFS giving the user 'error log hell'.

     

     Error
     The Project Creation Wizard encountered an error while creating reports to the SQL Server
     Reporting Services on http://tfs-rc-demo-v7/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx.
     Explanation
     The Project Creation Wizard encountered a problem while creating reports on the SQL Server Reporting Services on http://tfs-rc-demo-v7/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx. The reason for the failure cannot be determined at this time. Because the operation failed, the wizard was not able to finish creating the SQL Server Reporting Services site.
     User Action
     Contact the administrator for the SQL Server Reporting Services on http://tfs-rc-demo-v7/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx to confirm that the SQL Server Reporting Services server is running and you have sufficient privileges to create a project. Your user account on SQL Server Reporting Services must have Content Manager permission to create a new project. Also, you might find additional helpful information in the project creation log. The log shows each action taken by the wizard at the time of the failure and may include additional details about the error.

     Suggestion #1 - add validation and improve that error

     Add validation and then say
     Some idiot deleted the 2 data sources from http://tfsServer/Reports/Pages/Folder.aspx
     Fix this by creating a new data warehouse via TFS Administration Console

     

     Figure: The TFS team should tell the user to find the goose that deleted these 2

     

     Figure: The TFS team should validate for missing data sources and then include this screen capture in the solution

     Suggestion #2 - Don't stop at this one issue.Add other validation so that a user does not need to read the log to find the problem

     Here is an example:

     ---begin Exception entry--- Time: 2010-04-12T07:49:13 Module: Engine Event Description: TF30162: Task "Populate Reports" from Group "Reporting" failed Exception Type: Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.PcwException Exception Message: The Project Creation Wizard encountered an error while creating reports to the SQL Server Reporting Services on http://tfs-rc-demo-v7/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx. Exception Details: The Project Creation Wizard encountered a problem while creating reports on the SQL Server Reporting Services on http://tfs-rc-demo-v7/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx. The reason for the failure cannot be determined at this time. Because the operation failed, the wizard was not able to finish creating the SQL Server Reporting Services site.

     Stack Trace: at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.RosettaReportUploader.Execute(ProjectCreationContext context, XmlNode taskXml) at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.ProjectCreationEngine.TaskExecutor.PerformTask(IProjectComponentCreator componentCreator, ProjectCreationContext context, XmlNode taskXml) at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.ProjectCreationEngine.RunTask(Object taskObj)
     -- Inner Exception --
     Exception Message: The item '/Tfs2010OlapReportDS'cannot be found. (type ReportingServiceException)
     Exception Stack Trace: at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUtilities.ConvertException(SoapException e) at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUtilities.HasPermissions(ReportingService proxy, String itemPath, String[] permissions) at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUtilities.CheckPermissions(ReportingService proxy, String itemPath, String[] requiredPermissions) at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUploader.Validate() at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.RosettaReportUploader.Execute(ProjectCreationContext context, XmlNode taskXml)

     Inner Exception Details: Exception Message: System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: The item '/Tfs2010OlapReportDS' cannot be found. ---> Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.ItemNotFoundException: The item '/Tfs2010OlapReportDS' cannot be found. at Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebServer.ReportingService2005Impl.GetPermissions(String Item, String[]& Permissions) at Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebServer.ReportingService2005.GetPermissions(String Item, String[]& Permissions) (type SoapException)SoapException Details: <detail><ErrorCode xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">rsItemNotFound</ErrorCode><HttpStatus xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">400</HttpStatus><Message xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">The item '/Tfs2010OlapReportDS' cannot be found.</Message><HelpLink xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/? LinkId=20476&EvtSrc=Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.ErrorStrings&EvtID=rsItemNotFound&ProdName=Microsoft%20SQL%20Server%20Reporting% 20Services&ProdVer=10.0.2734.0</HelpLink><ProductName xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services</ProductName><ProductVersion xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">10.0.2734.0</ProductVersion><ProductLocaleId xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">127</ProductLocaleId><OperatingSystem xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">OsIndependent</OperatingSystem><CountryLocaleId xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">1033</CountryLocaleId><MoreInformation xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices"><Source>ReportingServicesLibrary</Source><Message msrs:ErrorCode="rsItemNotFound" msrs:HelpLink="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/? LinkId=20476&EvtSrc=Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.ErrorStrings&EvtID=rsItemNotFound&ProdName=Microsoft%20SQL%20Server%20Reporting%20Services&ProdVer=10.0.2734.0" xmlns:msrs="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">The item '/Tfs2010OlapReportDS' cannot be found.</Message></MoreInformation><Warnings xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices" /></detail>

     Figure: Use validation to avoid making a user read this log file... this is a painful way to solve their problem

102. Help me move a work item between team projects

     If I create a work item in the wrong team project, I want a menu option to move it into the correct Team Project. Currently I have to 'destroy' it, and then re-create it.

103. Give me a "Create Project Portal" button please

     See 'xxxx' for the current workaround

     

104. Help me create less queries

     Most people create two queries:
     1. The first to do query the work items they want
     2. The second to query Active work items on the same set

     

     Make this easier by:
     • adding an "Active" link next to a query that only shows active in that query
     • adding filtering to the state column to do this on the query page.

     If you are feeling generous, you could add filtering to all of the columns like the Telerik Work Item Manger:

     

105. Help me rename a project

     Is it that hard to allow the renaming of a project?

     One of our projects has quite a long name with two spaces. Let us call it "Hinshelwood's of Glasgow" which gives us two problems:
     • It is rather long and makes project URL's less user friendly (yes we are back to that)
     • It gives away the client name, which on some projects is sensitive.

     Why have URL's like:
     http://tfs.ssw.com.au/tfs/web/UI/Pages/WorkItems/QueryResult.aspx?path= Hinshelwoods%20Of%20Glasgow %2FTeam%20Queries%2FMy%20Work%20Items&pguid=cd9aadc0-e886-4b01-8eb2-959adefbca74
     When it could be:
     http://tfs.ssw.com.au/tfs/web/UI/Pages/WorkItems/QueryResult.aspx?path= HOG /Team%20Queries/MyWorkItems
     Much more readable and does not give away the clients identity, but to do this I need to rename the project!
     Please allow us to rename out projects :(

106. Help me use the Team Calendar

     Does anyone use the Portal calendar?
     Unless we can guarantee with a query/list that all the right people have the calendar linked to their outlook it is not very useful. Everyone on the team needs the same picture.

     

     Figure: We need some way to force calendar integration

107. TFS 2010 - permissions problem, would be great to save the next step

     When a user gets this error... It is intimidating... Really they should just email the TFS administrator and say "Please give me xxx permission"
     I have watched them... they think that *they* have done something wrong.

     So do you think we should add a button next to the "OK" button that says:
     "Ask your TFS Administrator for Permission"

     Note: This requires a field in the TFS Admin Console.
     Note: The email to the TFS Admin should have a link to tell them what to do.
     E.g. Bad option - Add Bob as a domain admin (the local admin group)
     Good option - etc

     I think this would be an awesome feature...

     

     Figure: A button is needed "Ask your TFS Administrator for Permission"

108. TFS 2010 Admin Console Reporting - terrible error message

     I was asked to 'fix up the permissions problems' on a TFS server that another consultant setup. So I need more info to help me find the problem.
     Terrible error message - I can't see anything missing or wrong on the 3 tabs
     I spent a couple of hours trying to find it.
     Gave up... uninstalled RS and installed RS
     This error message needs improving – it is useless

     

     Figure: Terrible error message - I can't see anything missing or wrong on the 3 tabs

109. Remove Walls of Text – Add nice Formatting to the Errors

     Now don't get concerned... this request is only about asking for colors/formatting (there is no bug)

     When you get an error here...
     Then you click the hyperlink and look at the error... it is a wall of text... I have a suggestion:

     When you hit an error, can you format it in HTML.... plain text makes it sooooo hard....
     
     • make the error easy to see by making it in red color
     • and highlight the Exception Message

     See below for example

     2009-08-29T12:59:30 | Module: Internal | Team Foundation Server proxy retrieved | Completion time: 0 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:30 | Module: Internal | The template information for Team Foundation Server "vsts2010\DefaultCollection" was retrieved from the Team Foundation Server. | Completion time: 0.0100006 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:31 | Module: Wizard | Retrieved IAuthorizationService proxy | Completion time: 0 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:31 | Module: Wizard | TF30227: Project creation permissions retrieved | Completion time: 0.0090005 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:55 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | New project will be created with the "SSW for Agile Software Development - v1.3 Beta" methodology
     2009-08-29T12:59:55 | Module: Engine | Retrieved IAuthorizationService proxy | Completion time: 0 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:55 | Module: Engine | TF30227: Project creation permissions retrieved | Completion time: 0.0070004 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:55 | Module: Internal | Team Foundation Server proxy retrieved | Completion time: 0 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:55 | Module: Internal | The template information for Team Foundation Server "vsts2010\DefaultCollection" was retrieved from the Team Foundation Server. | Completion time: 0.0080004 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:55 | Module: Exporter | Wrote compressed process template file | Completion time: 0 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Exporter | Extracted process template file | Completion time: 0.856049 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Starting Project Creation for project "allan" in domain "vsts2010\DefaultCollection"
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Engine | The user identity information was retrieved from the Group Security Service | Completion time: 0.0070004 seconds
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Initializer | Thread: 12 | The New Team Project Wizard is starting to initialize the plug-ins.
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 12 | Entering Initialize in CssStructureUploader
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 12 | Initialize for CssStructureUploader complete
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Initializer | Thread: 12 | The New Team Project Wizard successfully Initialized the plug-in Microsoft.ProjectCreationWizard.Classification.
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Rosetta | Thread: 12 | Entering Initialize in RosettaReportUploader
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Rosetta | Thread: 12 | Exiting Initialize for RosettaReportUploader
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Initializer | Thread: 12 | The New Team Project Wizard successfully Initialized the plug-in Microsoft.ProjectCreationWizard.Reporting.
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 12 | Entering Initialize in GssStructureCreator
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 12 | Exiting Initialize for GssStructureCreator
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Initializer | Thread: 12 | The New Team Project Wizard successfully Initialized the plug-in Microsoft.ProjectCreationWizard.Groups.
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 12 | About to begin the creation of project allan on server vsts2010\DefaultCollection
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Initializer | Thread: 12 | The New Team Project Wizard successfully Initialized the plug-in Microsoft.ProjectCreationWizard.WorkItemTracking.
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Initializer | Thread: 12 | The New Team Project Wizard successfully Initialized the plug-in Microsoft.ProjectCreationWizard.VersionControl.
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Initializer | Thread: 12 | The New Team Project Wizard successfully initialized the plug-ins.
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Process template XML loaded
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Starting Project Creation Engine execution
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | Running Task "UploadStructure" from Group "Classification"
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | Getting CSS proxy
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | CSS proxy retrieved
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | The uploading of the Classification Service has started
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | Uploading CSS structure: "<Nodes><Node
     StructureType="ProjectLifecycle" Name="Iteration"><Children><Node StructureType="ProjectLifecycle" Name="Iteration 0" /><Node
     StructureType="ProjectLifecycle" Name="Iteration 1" /><Node StructureType="ProjectLifecycle" Name="Iteration 2" /></Children></Node><Node
     StructureType="ProjectModelHierarchy" Name="Area" /></Nodes>"
     2009-08-29T12:59:56 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | Creating Project : allan
     2009-08-29T13:00:02 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | Created Project Administrators group S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-4181733270-2352711500-
     2713589126-1915436593 successfully.
     2009-08-29T13:00:02 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | CSS structure upload finished
     2009-08-29T13:00:02 | Module: CssStructureUploader | Thread: 13 | Updating project properties for :vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: Engine | Task "UploadStructure" from Group "Classification" completed with success | Completion time: 7.7344424 seconds
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: Engine | Thread: 4 | Running Task "" from Group ""
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: Engine | Thread: 11 | Running Task "Site" from Group "Reporting"
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: Engine | Thread: 4 | Running Task "GroupCreation1" from Group "Groups"
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Entering Execute in GssStructureCreator
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Getting list of structures for: vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: Rosetta | Thread: 11 | Creating site: /TfsReports/DefaultCollection/allan
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Creating application group for "Readers" URI "vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a"
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Creating application group for "Readers" URI "vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a"
     2009-08-29T13:00:04 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "GENERIC_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     732022000-2582958658-3107557771-1021700088" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "GENERIC_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     732022000-2582958658-3107557771-1021700088" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "WORK_ITEM_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     732022000-2582958658-3107557771-1021700088" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Creating application group for "Contributors" URI "vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Creating application group for "Contributors" URI "vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "GENERIC_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     1677139746-4266085697-3055808969-1627754202" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: Engine | Task "Site" from Group "Reporting" completed with success | Completion time: 1.0630608 seconds
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | Running Task "Populate Reports" from Group "Reporting"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: Rosetta | Thread: 13 | Creating report: Work Item with Tasks
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "PUBLISH_TEST_RESULTS" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     1677139746-4266085697-3055808969-1627754202" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "GENERIC_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     1677139746-4266085697-3055808969-1627754202" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:05 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "WORK_ITEM_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     1677139746-4266085697-3055808969-1627754202" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "WORK_ITEM_WRITE" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-1677139746-
     4266085697-3055808969-1627754202" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "START_BUILD" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-1677139746-
     4266085697-3055808969-1627754202" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Creating application group for "Build Services" URI "vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Creating application group for "Build Services" URI "vstfs:///Classification/TeamProject/513569ec-0344-4911-8592-645ddf413d1a"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "GENERIC_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "PUBLISH_TEST_RESULTS" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "GENERIC_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "WORK_ITEM_READ" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "WORK_ITEM_WRITE" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "START_BUILD" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "UPDATE_BUILD" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Adding access entry - actionName "EDIT_BUILD_STATUS" sid: "S-1-9-1551374245-1835895849-2299369793-2557183871-2138820253-1-
     110700454-3677416519-2996199154-2555493847" deny: "True"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: GSSStructureUploader | Thread: 4 | Exiting Execute for GssStructureCreator
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: Engine | Task "GroupCreation1" from Group "Groups" completed with success | Completion time: 2.1561234 seconds
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: Engine | Thread: 17 | Running Task "" from Group ""
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: Engine | Thread: 9 | Running Task "WITs" from Group "WorkItemTracking"
     2009-08-29T13:00:06 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Synchronizing users and groups.
     2009-08-29T13:00:07 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Synchronizing CSS structures.
     2009-08-29T13:00:07 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | WorkItemType definition file found: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Bug.xml
     2009-08-29T13:00:07 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | WorkItemType definition file found: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Task.xml
     2009-08-29T13:00:07 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | WorkItemType definition file found: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Qos.xml
     2009-08-29T13:00:07 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | WorkItemType definition file found: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Scenario.xml
     2009-08-29T13:00:07 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | WorkItemType definition file found: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Risk.xml
     2009-08-29T13:00:07 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploading work item type from file 'C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Bug.xml'...
     2009-08-29T13:00:11 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploaded WorkItemType definition from C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Bug.xml.
     2009-08-29T13:00:11 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploading work item type from file 'C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Task.xml'...
     2009-08-29T13:00:12 | Module: Rosetta | Thread: 13 | Setting data sources for report: /TfsReports/DefaultCollection/allan/Work Item with Tasks
     2009-08-29T13:00:12 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploaded WorkItemType definition from C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Task.xml.
     2009-08-29T13:00:12 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploading work item type from file 'C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Qos.xml'...
     

     ---begin Exception entry---
     Time: 2009-08-29T13:00:13
     Module: Engine
     Event Description: TF30162: Task "Populate Reports" from Group "Reporting" failed
     Exception Type: Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.PcwException
     Exception Message: The Project Creation Wizard encountered an error while creating reports to the SQL Server Reporting Services on http://vsts2010/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx.
     Exception Details: The Project Creation Wizard encountered a problem while
     creating reports on the SQL Server Reporting Services on http://vsts2010/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx.
     The reason for the failure cannot be determined at this time.
     Because the operation failed, the wizard was not able to finish
     creating the SQL Server Reporting Services site.
     Stack Trace:
     at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.RosettaReportUploader.Execute(ProjectCreationContext context, XmlNode taskXml)
     at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.ProjectCreationEngine.TaskExecutor.PerformTask(IProjectComponentCreator componentCreator, ProjectCreationContext context, XmlNode taskXml)
     at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.ProjectCreationEngine.RunTask(Object taskObj)
     -- Inner Exception --
     Exception Type: Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUploaderException
     Exception Message: TF30225: Error uploading report 'Work Item with Tasks': System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: The item '/TfsOlapReportDS' cannot be found. ---> Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.ItemNotFoundException: The item '/TfsOlapReportDS' cannot be found.
     at Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebServer.ReportingService2005Impl.SetItemDataSources(String Item, DataSource[] DataSources)
     at Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebServer.ReportingService2005.SetItemDataSources(String Item, DataSource[] DataSources)
     Stack Trace:
     at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUploader.UploadReport(XmlNode report)
     at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUploader.HandleCreateReports(XmlNode node)
     at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUploader.Run()
     at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TeamFoundation.RosettaReportUploader.Execute(ProjectCreationContext context, XmlNode taskXml)
     -- end Inner Exception
     

     -- Inner Exception --
     Exception Type: System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException
     Exception Message: System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: The item '/TfsOlapReportDS' cannot be found. ---> Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.ItemNotFoundException: The item '/TfsOlapReportDS' cannot be found.
     at Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebServer.ReportingService2005Impl.SetItemDataSources(String Item, DataSource[] DataSources)
     at Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebServer.ReportingService2005.SetItemDataSources(String Item, DataSource[] DataSources)
     SoapException Details: <detail><ErrorCode xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">rsItemNotFound</ErrorCode><HttpStatus
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">400</HttpStatus><Message xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">The item '/TfsOlapReportDS' cannot be found.</Message><HelpLink
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/? <br /> LinkId=20476&EvtSrc=Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.ErrorStrings&EvtID=rsItemNotFound&ProdName=Microsoft%20SQL%20Server%20Reporting%20
     Services&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0</HelpLink><ProductName xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services</ProductName><ProductVersion
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">10.0.2531.0</ProductVersion><ProductLocaleId
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">127</ProductLocaleId><OperatingSystem
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">OsIndependent</OperatingSystem><CountryLocaleId
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">1033</CountryLocaleId><MoreInformation
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices"><Source>ReportingServicesLibrary</Source><Message msrs:ErrorCode="rsItemNotFound" msrs:HelpLink="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?
     LinkId=20476&EvtSrc=Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.ErrorStrings&EvtID=rsItemNotFound&ProdName=Microsoft%20SQL%20Server%20Reporting%20Services&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0"
     xmlns:msrs="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices">The item '/TfsOlapReportDS' cannot be found.</Message></MoreInformation><Warnings
     xmlns="http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reportingservices" /></detail>
     Stack Trace:<br /> at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapHttpClientProtocol.ReadResponse(SoapClientMessage message, WebResponse response, Stream responseStream, Boolean asyncCall)
     at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapHttpClientProtocol.Invoke(String methodName, Object[] parameters)
     at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingService.SetReportDataSources(String Item, DataSource[] DataSources)
     at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Reporting.ReportingUploader.UploadReport(XmlNode report)
     -- end Inner Exception --
     --- end Exception entry ---
     

     2009-08-29T13:00:13 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | TF30202: Task "" from Group "" will not be run because a prior task failed.
     2009-08-29T13:00:13 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | TF30202: Task "WIs" from Group "WorkItemTracking" will not be run because a prior task failed.
     2009-08-29T13:00:13 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | TF30202: Task "Queries" from Group "WorkItemTracking" will not be run because a prior task failed.
     2009-08-29T13:00:13 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | TF30202: Task "" from Group "" will not be run because a prior task failed.
     2009-08-29T13:00:13 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | TF30202: Task "VersionControlTask" from Group "VersionControl" will not be run because a prior task failed.
     2009-08-29T13:00:13 | Module: Engine | Thread: 13 | TF30202: Task "" from Group "" will not be run because a prior task failed.
     2009-08-29T13:00:17 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploaded WorkItemType definition from C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Qos.xml.
     2009-08-29T13:00:17 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploading work item type from file 'C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Scenario.xml'...
     2009-08-29T13:00:20 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploaded WorkItemType definition from C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Scenario.xml.
     2009-08-29T13:00:20 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploading work item type from file 'C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Risk.xml'...
     2009-08-29T13:00:22 | Module: Work Item Tracking | Thread: 9 | Uploaded WorkItemType definition from C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp\WorkItem
     Tracking\TypeDefinitions\Risk.xml.
     2009-08-29T13:00:22 | Module: Engine | Task "WITs" from Group "WorkItemTracking" completed with success | Completion time: 16.0369172 seconds
     2009-08-29T13:00:23 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Deleting from Build ...
     2009-08-29T13:00:24 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Done
     2009-08-29T13:00:24 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Deleting from Version Control ...
     2009-08-29T13:00:24 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Not found
     2009-08-29T13:00:24 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Deleting from Work Item Tracking ...
     2009-08-29T13:00:26 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Violation of PRIMARY KEY constraint 'PK_TreeIDPairs__BelowID_AboveID'. Cannot insert duplicate key in object 'dbo.TreeIDPairs'. ---> Violation of
     PRIMARY KEY constraint 'PK_TreeIDPairs__BelowID_AboveID'. Cannot insert duplicate key in object 'dbo.TreeIDPairs'.
     2009-08-29T13:00:26 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Deleting from TestManagement ...
     2009-08-29T13:00:30 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Done
     2009-08-29T13:00:30 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Deleting from LabManagement ...
     2009-08-29T13:00:31 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Not found
     2009-08-29T13:00:31 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Deleting Report Server files ...
     2009-08-29T13:00:31 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Done
     2009-08-29T13:00:31 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Warning. Did not find SharePoint site service.
     ---begin Exception entry---
     Time: 2009-08-29T13:00:31
     Module: Engine
     Event Description: TF30002: The New Team Project Wizard encountered an error deleting the project
     Exception Type: System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException
     Exception Message: Violation of PRIMARY KEY constraint 'PK_TreeIDPairs__BelowID_AboveID'. Cannot insert duplicate key in object 'dbo.TreeIDPairs'. ---> Violation of PRIMARY KEY constraint
     'PK_TreeIDPairs__BelowID_AboveID'. Cannot insert duplicate key in object 'dbo.TreeIDPairs'.
     SoapException Details: <detail ExceptionMessage="Violation of PRIMARY KEY constraint 'PK_TreeIDPairs__BelowID_AboveID'. Cannot insert duplicate key in object 'dbo.TreeIDPairs'."><details id="-2"
     xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/TeamFoundation/2005/06/WorkItemTracking/faultdetail/03" /></detail>
     Stack Trace:
     at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapHttpClientProtocol.ReadResponse(SoapClientMessage message, WebResponse response, Stream responseStream, Boolean asyncCall)
     at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapHttpClientProtocol.Invoke(String methodName, Object[] parameters)
     at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.DeleteProjectClient.DeleteProject(String projectUri)
     at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.TeamProjectDeleter.DoDelete(String friendlyName, String serviceUri, String projectUri)
     --- end Exception entry ---
     2009-08-29T13:00:31 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | Attempting to delete folder "C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp"
     2009-08-29T13:00:31 | Module: Engine | Thread: 12 | The folder C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\TPW_tmp3242.tmp was removed.
     

110. Remove spaces from URL's for readability

     Working at TFS I find myself using URLs all the time
     Why are the words "Team" and "Shared" used on the default portal?

     There is nothing else called "team" or "shared" there, and they really do *not* add any value.
     In fact they *remove value* because they add those horrible "%20"'s to the URL's that make them less friendly for users.
     

     http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Team%20Wiki http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Shared%20Documents
     Should be:
     http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Documents http://projects.ssw.com.au/tfs/Conquest/Wiki

111. TFS 2010 - Scrum template - Make it clear if it is story points or hours

     I noticed people were confused?even after an explanation?

     

     Figure: Change "Effort (in story points)"

     

     Figure: Change to "Remaining (in hours)"

112. Help me write good comments?

     Writing good comments can really help when you are writing release notes or even just looking for something. Intelligence and spellcheck would really help to make sure that comments are correct.

     

     Figure: Having intelligence and spell check

113. Why is the portal layout not consistent?

     There a couple of layout problems with the default portal:
     1. There should be Icons beside each of the main heading to make them stand out

        

        Figure: None of the headings have Icons

     2. The indenting is not consistent

        

        Figure: Almost every piece of content has different indenting!

     3. Can we have a list of "High Priority Bugs" and "Recently fixed Bugs" added above "Recent Builds". A client viewing this site asked "What do I care about 'recent checking', I want to see high priority bugs or at least recently fixed bugs."
        Note: Must have resolver/closer in the tooltip.

        

        Figure: I cannot tell who made this change without clicking and opening up the check-in.

114. Help me know as soon as possible that the build is broken!

     It would be really cool if TFS could push out Windows Live Alerts so I could choose how I am notified of events like build failures.

     

     Figure: the current notification is interactive, but not immediate or intrusive enough

     

     Figure: Configuration is hard and most users do not even know it exists

     

     Figure: This would allow users to choose how they are notified of build problems

     Opting for a standard solution allows much more flexibility on receipt.

115. Help me rewrite Web Access URL's to be more friendly

     There are ways to make URL's more friendly, but they all rely on the URL being written in the clear on the page.

     

     Figure: Bad example -These links will not work as they are built and executed with a postback

     

     Figure: Good example -However these folders on SharePoint will work as they are written into the page in the clear

     Make it easier by not using postbacks unless you really need them.

116. Help me remember to create a Test for a Bug

     Help me eradicate bugs by adding a Check-In Policy that checks if you are associating code with a Bug and fails if that bug has no associated Test Case.

     

     Figure: We need to be able to protect our bug fixes

117. [ Other ] - Help me find the cause of an error

     The list of errors after build is often confusing to new developers (and Adam).

     

     Figure: This is confusing as the first error might be just a symptom

     • This list often wastes developer's time.
     • The order of it is incredible important.
     • Ideally this list would list only one item that is bold (that indicates you fix it first)
       When a junior developer does a 'Get Latest' and sees 300 errors, some suffer a panic attack. So either fix the order above, or add a record at the top that says Go to the 'Output' panel and fix the first 'error'. That error is probably causing all the subsequent errors.

       

       Figure: The first error encountered may be the root cause

     • Add a message first in the list to look at the Output and fix the first error found
       When a user clicks that message it should take them to the output window and pop a balloon over the first error message that says, "Fix this first".

118. Version Control - Help me see what to do with conflicts

     It can be hard to follow the conflict resolution dialogs.

     

     Figure: I cannot tell from here which version I want to take

     

     Figure: Can you tell which one I would take here?

     It would be really good if it would show the number of lines that have been changed on each side.

     

     Figure: Put the data next to the target to make it easier to see which is for which

     Too much reading and associating... It would be more intuitive for new users if the data was under the existing columns "Take Server Version" and "Keep Local Version"

119. Version Control - Help me take all the changes from one side

     Once I have opened up the merge dialog I may quickly see that I just want to take the server or local changes.
     It is also not obvious that the top two boxes are read-only and only the bottom box can be edited.

     

     Figure: Make it easier to take all from one side

     1. Add 2 buttons "Take Server Version" and "Keep Local Version".
     2. Make the two top text boxes grey to show that they are read only.

     

     Figure: Here are the 2 buttons, I would like on the above form

120. Version Control - Help me see who made the change

     In the Merge tool add pictures for all of the developers that have changed the code so I can easily see who changed what.
     
     Maybe if I see a picture of my boss I would not throw out his change.

     

     Figure: More personal, more social, more friendly - Add a picture of me on the left and a team picture on the right

121. Version Control - Help me remember what I was doing

     I am trying to recall what I was doing when this file was added by some tool in VS. I think looking at other files in the same folder might help.

     

     Figure: Add "Opening Containing Folder" then I might be able to recall what I was doing at the time

     Come on... this is the only remaining right click menu I don't have to scroll. So please fix by adding more options :-)

122. Version Control - Help me know that you can filter pending changes

     This button looks like it launches some VS app? It does not look like a "Filter"

     

     Figure: Why does this button have a Visual Studio Logo?

     I think it needs either:
     • An icon that looks like Filter Funnel, or
     • Make a dropdown with "All Solutions | Current Solution"

123. Version Control - Help me recognize instantly what is a delete and what is an add

     Can we have these file names in the standard colours?which is:
     • Blue for edit
     • Green for add
     • Red for delete

     

     Figure: I can't easily see the difference between these actions - save me from having to mentally map the 2nd 'change' column

124. Power Tools - Version Control - Help me Annotate from the files

     I should be able to annotate and view history from windows explorer.

     

     Figure: Aim to be consistent with VS (also add "Annotate" and "View History")

     You can have it dump this info out to Word or HTML.

125. Version Control - Help me see what has changed, when I get latest

     It is not obvious what has been done by calling "Get latest".

     

     Figure: After I click 'Get Latest', the feedback is zip.... nothing

     

     Figure: It would be nice to automatically see the output window with a selection active, as it can be cluttered with old content

     So:
     1. Please switch to this 'Output' tab
     2. Please highlight the line that just got added.

126. Version Control - Help me not have to scroll

     Can we move these 8 items under a "Team Foundation" Menu; this will help TFS branding, less menu scrolling and consistency.

     

     Figure: These should be on their own menu

     Note: There is an argument to leave "Get Latest" and "Check In..." as they are used most often, but really it should be an all or nothing move.

     

     Figure: The submenu is nice branding for Team Foundation Server

     I guess I should stop installing cool VS add-ins. I have about 20 of them. :-)

127. Help me work with a normal Combo

     Does *anyone* like that combo box changing order every time you select an item. I don't like a combo box changing order after each selection. I would like it to be changed to work normally.

     

     Figure: Selecting a item in the combo box should *not* change the order

128. Help me see the call hierarchy for the events in IntelliTrace

     I love to visualize the relationship between events eg. a user clicks a button and stuff happens.
     So it would help if I could see indentation of the events based on its call hierarchy.

     

     Figure: Group and indent the events based on its call hierarchy (maybe add another view ?but make this new view *default*)

129. Help me filter the IntelliTrace noise

     Intellitrace is not very usable?I think it suffers from too much noise and not enough information!

     Anything you can do to filter out noise will improve things.

     I don't want to see:
     
     • static file load stuff (eg. The .png below - although it could be sharepoint doing funky stuff)
     • any images or javascript or css (have file extensions as a filter option ?with these turned off by default)

     I only want to see server side programmatic code.

     

     Figure: Lose this noise by default

130. Help me reopen a work item (like how I can reopen a code file via 'Undo Close')

     "Undo close" is an awesome feature that is part of the PowerCommands for Visual Studio 2010.
     But that feature doesn't work for Work item queries or other windows that are not code files.

     

     Figure: 'Undo Close' doesn't work with closed work item queries

     

     Figure: This 'Recently Closed Tabs' in Firefox is the utopia the team should strive for

131. Help me report across my entire TFS server

     We need 3 reports to report across our entire TFS server:
     • Iterations currently being worked on by Team Project
     • Tasks completed in the last 30 days by Team Project
     • Number of Check-ins in the last 30 days by Team Project

     This will help us manage and monitor our projects better.
     Note: It would be really helpful if these were added to the Team Project Collection Portal site in SharePoint.

132. A Public Portal for our Customers

     People often ask me how Telerik decides what products and features to build for each release. The answer is simple: by listening to you, our customers. Through our forums, support tickets, customer visits, and booths at conferences, we gather a tremendous amount of feedback and that becomes the core of our product planning. Today we are proud to announce the Q2 release of our customer-designed, "Best of TechEd" award-winning product suite.
     

     How do you decide what products and features to build for each release. Does TFS give the answer? Should it?

     Microsoft's TWA (Team Web Access from the TFS team) does an OK job of dealing with work items. In fact I use it every day. There are many places it could do with more AJAX (so it was a responsive UI like Facebook), but it is better than average. My complaint is it inwardly looking, not a public portal for customers and their feedback.

     Ideally I hope to see an awesome 2nd generation TWA, that gives all software companies, a standard system for:
     • moving emails from customers, that link to items in TFS
     • having a forum, that link to items in TFS
     • having support tickets, that link to items in TFS
     There are others things that would be useful (but are less important) and I am not sure how to approach them:
     • having feedback from customer visits, that link to items in TFS
     • having feedback from booths at conferences, that link to items in TFS

     SSW receives a lot of suggestions? And I send lots of suggestions for products I use, or friends who have proToday I see a low percentage of feedback come back to me when done. Probably less than 2%. The responses are manual emails from developers or managers with Type A personalities :)

     We need a great system for categorizing/tagging and responding back when features are done.

     We all gather a tremendous amount of feedback and that becomes the core of our product planning. Today it is done manually, maybe it has to be? I hope not.
     1. Do many think an awesome web portal is the domain of TFS 2012?
     2. Is there higher priorities for them?

133. TFS2010 - New developers opening a project from source control

     Getting going on TFS for the first time is not as easy as it should be. Watching a couple new developers, try to start using TFS was interesting.
     They hit a roadblock since they are fixated on using the Open menu, and there are no right click menus or pointers to help them get to their source code.

     

     Figure: An experienced individual developer starts using TFS. He goes for Open | Team Project. He does not see the other method of Source Control | Open From Source Control

     What they are after is their code, so they are surprised when nothing under "Source Control" and no right click menu to 'Open'? Unfortunately they don't know to try double clicking

     

     Figure:There is nothing under source control to suggest that there is a solution waiting to be opened there.

     So they go to the 'Solution Explorer' and get even more confused because there are no projects showing.

     

     Figure:Weird my project (source code) is not here either.

     From here the guys went round and round... getting nowhere :-(

     4 UI suggestions that would give new developers a nicer experience getting going on TFS:
     
     1. In the 'Team Explorer' tab under 'Source Control' give a visual indicator eg. A tree node like the others, the folders or a hyperlink 'open'
     2. In the 'Team Explorer' tab under 'Source Control' give a right click menu, with an option 'open'
     3. In the 'Solution Explorer' tab, when it is empty and you have a team project open, give a hyperlink 'open'
     4. In the File Menu, move 'Source Control' up under the 'Open' menu

134. Architecture - Help me know what the 3 analyzers do via a popup form

     

     Figure:After checking on an 'Analyzer', popup a form showing what this is showing me (of course include a checkbox "[x] Don't show again" )

     

     Figure: Good example - What the Croatians at TeamCompanion did based on a similar suggestion. They implemented this. Perfect!

     To be fair this is documented at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee847415.aspx
     However my suggestions are:

     1. this is not discoverable enough – so link to it from the UI
     2. this is at the bottom of a long article – so put it in its own page
     3. It is missing a screen capture. Not a single one relating to the 'Analyzers' (the finding areas of complexity) :-(
     4. IMPORTANT : Fix the 'Find Hubs' in the UI so developers understand they *always* exist and they are *not* necessarily bad.
        Every developer knows what "Circular References" are and what "Unreferenced Nodes" might be, so they assume that “Find Hubs” is going to be bad too – this must be made obvious in the UI

     

     Figure: Fix the doco, then link to it

135. TFS2010 - General toolbar desire - Help me use my toolbar in my working area

     

     Figure: Oh I wish I could move my Toolbar into the window that it is relevant for

136. Architecture- Help me drag my paper around (in Dependancy Graph .dgml)

     I want "Space + Mouse Click and Drag" to work – it is a convention that started with Photoshop and has continued with many other apps eg. Acrobat
     Note: I am aware that Control + Drag works – but this is non-standard eg. With Paint, Snag-it etc

     

     Figure: I want to drag my paper around... but I get this :-(

137. Help me add a new work item quickly

     We need an 'Add New" link as the 2nd record in this case. (The bottom of however many records there are).

     

     Figure: A quick way to add a new work item please

138. TFS report suggestion

     The report for "Project Management" stories overview, like
     http://tfs.ssw.com.au/ Reports /Pages/Report.aspx?ItemPath=%2fTfsReports%2fDefaultCollection%2fSSW.SharePoint%2fProject+Management%2fStories+Overview

     

     Should include a URL of TFS Web Access (which include the details of selected sprint), like
     http://tfs.ssw.com.au/tfs/ web/UI /Pages/WorkItems/QueryResult.aspx?path=SSW.SharePoint%2FTeam%20Queries%2F_Areas%2FSP2010Migration%2FSprint11(current.SolutionUpgrade)%2FSprint11%20backlog&pguid=32c0d57a-6e46-424f-9411-231bc0f86291

     

139. TFS 2010 - Refresh Report Data

     

     Figure: Need a "Refresh Report Cube" on the right click menu

     That calls
     http://localhost:8080/tfs/TeamFoundation/administration/v3.0/WarehouseControlService.asmx?op=ProcessWarehouse
     CollectionName=?
     http://localhost:8080/tfs/TeamFoundation/administration/v3.0/WarehouseControlService.asmx?op=ProcessAnalysisDatabase
     
     processingType=Full

140. I think the VS Extension Manager is our golden egg… a real success story - let's keep it that way *Important*

     But lately I see more and more rust creeping in.
     Let's allow crap in there (because it might be a gem), but allow us to identify it… and quick.

     So my suggestion is to add a:
     • Field 'Count of Bugs'
     • "Dodgy" warning that shows, when there are say 3 (un-responded) bug reports and <1 positive votes for a release.
     And a eccentric suggestion to add a:
     • Field 'Count of Great votes from MVPs'
     • "Unknown" warning that shows, when there are say <3 good reports from MVPs

     Eg. http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/e79e4a0f-f670-47c2-9b8a-3b6f664bf4ae?SRC=VSIDE

     

     Figure: Under 'rating' add 'Count of bugs'

141. Extension Manager is missing 'TFS' in the left hand nav... so add a Tools | TFS category

     • The 'TFS' category in the left nav, is important
     • We also want those 2 tools removed - they are nothing to do with TFS
     • Can we have a consistent naming applied, well as much as possible... E.g. "for TFS 2010" at the end

     

     Figure:3 things we need for TFS in the Extension Manager

142. Help me configure Documents and Reports

     

     Figure: Today the Right click menu = nothing... Please add 'Configure (or at least Help)'

143. Help me add the Visual Studio Scrum 1.0 Template to TFS

     Installing the Visual Studio Scrum 1.0 Template takes a number of steps when it should only take one. I should not have to google and read a blog post to work out how to install it! ( http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cdndevs/archive/2010/07/19/microsoft-visual-studio-scrum-1-0.aspx )

     This is how I want it to work:
     1. Install the template in one step directly from the Extension Manager.
        Currently, I have to download an MSI, install the MSI, then upload the new template to the Process Template Manager by finding it in Program Files
     2. If user input is explicitly required to attach to TFS, do this in a dialog immediately after you press the "Download" button (in Extension Manager).

     

     Figure: Clicking "Download" for Visual Studio Scrum 1.0 from the Extension Manager should do everything

     

     Figure: Currently, this extra step is required. You open the Process Template Manager, then

     

     Figure: Continued... Then manually upload the template (obviously for the Scrum Template)... After this, you need to find the template with the file explorer

144. Help me read one line that tell me the guts of each Report, Excel etc

     Would it be possible to have this read the 1st line of the description the Excel doc etc?

     

     Figure: I would love to see a short description for each one

145. Code Metrics - Help me focus on my code

     

     Figure: Dim the ones I did not write eg. The ones in the red boxes

146. Help me find answers to problem message boxes myself

     Today every 'Bug' has a URL now, thanks to TSWA
     I believe we should have a solution where every 'Messagebox' has a URL (that points to TSWA) ? Reading the below history, I imagine John's answer would have been...

     Sin Min,
     Please click the link on that message box and you will see http://Tfs.northwind.com/kb/messagebox/1234
     It will tell you to Reinstall the Power Tools to get them back and immediately uninstall them. That should make everything right.
     Can you believe that TSWA has made my life even simpler :)
     
     John Robbins

     Figure: Good example - The answer I would like to see to the below thread
     

     Basically a message box without a URL, means you need to go searching/asking for answer.
     Is this a job that the TFS team should solve?

     -----Original Message-----
     From: John Robbins
     Sent: Monday, 5 April 2010 1:24 PM
     To: Sin Min; 'Visual Studio Team System Champs'
     Subject: RE: Could not load type error in Team Explorer 2010
     
     Cool! Reinstall the Power Tools to get them back and immediately uninstall them. That should make everything right.
     Now if only life were that simple. :)
     
     -----Original Message-----
     From: Sin Min
     Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 7:14 PM
     To: John Robbins; 'Visual Studio Team System Champs'
     Subject: RE: Could not load type error in Team Explorer 2010
     
     Good catch! I believe I uninstalled VS2010 RC then only followed by Power Tool RC after I noticed it. It is gone from the Add/ Remove programs but the bits still here...Thanks!!
     
     -----Original Message-----
     From: John Robbins
     Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 9:38 AM
     To: Sin Min; 'Visual Studio Team System Champs'
     Subject: RE: Could not load type error in Team Explorer 2010
     
     Hi,
     
     I saw something that looked very similar to this dialog when I installed the VS 2010 RC because I had the Beta 2 version of the Power Tools still on my machine. Did you uninstall the RC version of the Power Tools before installing the RTM?
     
     -----Original Message-----
     From: owner-vsts-champs On Behalf Of Sin Min
     Sent: Monday, 5 April 2010 11:24 AM
     To: 'Visual Studio Team System Champs'
     Subject: Could not load type error in Team Explorer 2010
     
     FYI, installed both VS+TFS 2010 RTM on Win7 x64. Fired up VS and caught this error.

     

     Figure: Bad example - The message box without a URL means you need to go searching/asking for answer

147. Help me know what the jobs do

     

     Figure: I don't know what these SQL Jobs do from the GUID name. Add a couple of words after the GUID

148. Help me get ready for the next iteration

     At the moment, the agile template only populates the queries and documents for the first iteration. To get this all ready for the next iteration you need to:

     • Copy the planning workbooks
     • Update the underlying queries to be the right iteration
     • Change the dates
     • Copy any Team Queries and update the iteration

     There should be a right click menu "Generate Queries and Documents" that automates the above steps.

     

     Figure: There should be a right click menu "Generate Queries and Documents"

149. Do you avoid duplicated code in your solution?

     Microsoft please give us a checkin policy that verifies that the changeset doesn't introduce duplicated code to the solution.

     Tell the developer that was about to check in some code: "Your code has 20 lines of similarity to \Debuger.cs"

     Simian http://www.harukizaemon.com/simian/ is a tool that can detect similar/duplicated code.

     

     Figure: Duplicated code detected by Simian in 2 files with 60 lines of similarities

150. Work Items - Help me with Screenshots

     Anyone that has heard me speaking on TFS.... you surely have heard me asking for screenshots for at least 5 years... When this support is added, I think screenshots will be the flagship feature mentioned by people on why you should upgrade.

     Basically I am sad when each new version comes out and there is:

     

     There must be lots of technical humps, but I would love to know if any of this is possible without a mountain of work:

     1. In the Browser - Paste (via Silverlight 5 and PInvoke)
     2. In the Brower - "Edit Description in Word" (opening Word and linking to it)
     3. In the Browser - Insert Table (the same as the SharePoint team)
     4. In the Browser - "Edit HTML"
     5. Working with the SharePoint and CRM team to make a consistent solution
     6. The % parity from copying from an outlook email?
     7. The % parity from copying from a word .doc?
     8. The % parity from sharepoint wiki page?
     9. Getting a "Team" tab in word

     

     Figure: Getting a "team" tab in word with a single text box: Work Item ID

     Just this feature in Word - would get us to a place where adding a bug.... is as easy as writing it on paper .

151. Add 'Run Tests' on the right click menu

     Add right click menu "Run Tests	|Tests in Current Context	**Rename to 'Test Solution in current context (4)'
     	|All Tests in Solution	**Rename to 'Test Solution (55)'
     	|All Impacted Tests"

     

     Figure: The first option is to 'Run Code Analysis'. What?

152. Help me see find the line in the call view (in one step) when using IntelliTrace

     When you search for text in any other application, it does not say
     "We found one! Do you want to go there?"
     It just goes there!

     Summary: I should *not* have to manually select #3 or #4

     

     Figure: I should not need step #3, in order to find the first result (#1)

153. Help me to describe Product Backlog Items effectively

     The Description and Acceptance Criteria fields in the Hosted TFS Scrum Template should allow me to write rich text so I can communicate effectively with my team.
     These fields may have areas that need emphasis, and acceptance criteria should be presented in bullet lists.

     Change the Description and Acceptance Criteria fields to rich text fields.

     

     Figure: The Description and Acceptance Criteria fields should be rich text so I can communicate effectively with my team.

154. Testers need to debug #1 - but they are *not* going to install and use some diff tool

     (Happy to be corrected - there might be a much better way to debug)

     

     Figure: I am trying to understand the differences between 'WebTest1' and 'WebTest2'... so add menu item 'Open Results in Excel'

     

     Figure: After clicking a menu item like 'Open Results in Excel' I would like to see this

155. Help me find file information about my project

     e.g. On a 1gb web site over VPN

     A VS user should be able to find out information about a team project without having to check out *all* the code.

     Currently, to find the number of files in a project collection, or the *size* of those files, you have to do a Get Latest, potentially downloading gigabytes of data to your local machine.

     1. Include a file size column in the Source Control Explorer in Visual Studio
     2. Give me a tool to search for files based on their file properties.
        This should behave the same way as searching for files in Windows Explorer.
        

        

        Figure: File information is missing from the Source Control Explorer in Visual Studio 2010

        

        Figure: File information is also missing from the Source Control Explorer in Visual Studio 2012 / Visual Studio 11

        

        Figure: I should be able to search for files just like I do in Windows Explorer

156. Improve the Gated Checkin workflow

     Gated Checkins are great for verifying your project builds successfully before a checkin occurs, but the workflow and dialog messages can be difficult to follow and needs to improve.

     The process for a project with a Gated Checkin build is:

     1. The developer clicks Check In
     2. Changes are not checked in, but are shelved and a build is queued
     3. The developer is notified when a build succeeds and prompted to "reconcile" their workspace

     Note: This relies on the Build Notifications tool running, which may not be the case. If it's not running, the developer has to manually reconcile their workspace before they can effectively continue working.

     

     Figure: The developer is notified if a gated check-in resulted in a commit

     Recommendations

     1. The Build Notifications tool should not be a requirement – Visual Studio should handle this notification itself
     2. The text in the notification dialog should be changed from:
        If you did not undo your local pending changes when you submitted your check-in, you may need to reconcile your workspace with the repository.
        To:
        Your Gated Check-in has succeeded and the server has now checked in your changes.
        Click Reconcile to make sure your local workspace is up to date with the server.
     3. By default, reconciliation shouldn’t be required. If the file hasn’t changed since your checkin, it should be automatically reconciled
     4. If manual reconciliation is required, there should be a more obvious option in Team Explorer:

        

        Figure: Manual Reconciliation should be easier in Team Explorer's Pending Changes window

Acknowledgements

Adam Cogan
Peter Gfader

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