Bug tracking software

I’ve tried text files, post-it notes, handwritten to-do lists, directories in my email and excel spreadsheets to track the feature requests, bugs and progress of my current project. I’ve decided it’s time to move into the 21st century and install some proper, multi-user bug tracking software.

I asked on the MSWebDev group and got a few different suggestions:

Issue tracker starter kit and an extension of the starter kit (ASP.NET – free)

Mantis (PHP – free I think)

FogBUGZ – (ASP – $99US/user)

Dragnet – (ASP.NET – $99US/user)

Jira – (Java – $1200US)

Gemini – (ASP.NET – free for less than 10 developers on a local server)

I’ve had a bit of a play around with FOGBugz and I think it’s high class software, but it’s a little bit expensive so I’ve decided to try installing Gemini first because if it’s any good it’ll save me having to write a three page email to my boss justifying the cost. Plus a freebie will let me see if software actually is the way to go with this project tracking business.