README FOR NETLOG - A TROUBLE TICKETING SYSTEM v2.0
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'NETLOG' is a Trouble Ticketing system for standard Unix systems.  It is NOT
based on any database, but instead, stores all logs as ASCII text files and
uses its own indexing system to process the logs.

There is NO restriction on the length of a log entry.

Entries are categorised as OPEN, UPDATE, CLOSE or INFORMATIONAL. For OPEN or
INFORMATIONAL tickets, a ticket number is assigned automatically.  UPDATE's
are made to open tickets and when an open ticket is CLOSED, it is deleted from
the list of open tickets.

The software uses standard Unix tools to run. Speed and optimization has been
achieved via the 'grep' algorithm for searching and an indexing system for
accessing entries for a particular ticket number.  Due to all records being
stored as ASCII text, it is easy to maintain and troubleshoot. Consistency in
record updates has been achieved by Unix file locking (including NFS
environments). User responsiveness has been achieved by doing updates in the
background via a forked process. Considerable effort has been made to ensure
that entries are not lost. The software uses curses to provide a  user
friendly interface. Modular design, and all those catch phrases...

The following functions are presently supported:

	1. Create Entry
	2. Edit Log
	3. Read Log
	4. List open tickets
	5. Search logs
	6. Process tickets
	

This program was developed much before RFC 1297, so it does not even attempt
to adhere to it. However, except for a few 'useful' features like alarms and
priorities, it covers the ticketing model very well. It has been in use at
JvNCnet on a Sun workstation for about 2 years. Adding 'alarms' is simple
and will hopefully be added in the future. (If anyone is interested in
implementing that ASAP, please send me email and maybe I can help you get
started).

See the INSTALL file for installation. Program has been tested on  Sparc
running SunOS4.1.1 and Ultrix.

All bug reports, comments, etc. to 'netlog-bugs@jvnc.net'. Send email to
'netlog-users-request@jvnc.net' if you use this software and want to get 
software update notification.

The latest version of this software is available via anonymous ftp from
'ftp.jvnc.net' under 'pub/netlog-tt.tar.Z'.


Vikas Aggarwal
JvNCnet
May 8, 1992
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