Cradle-6.3 introduces a new discussion mechanism that replaces the annotations mechanism in previous Cradle releases. Any annotations in Cradle databases are automatically converted to discussions when these databases are migrated to Cradle-6.3 format.

The discussions concept is similar to e-mail threads:

• Each item can have arbitrarily many, arbitrarily large, discussions
• Each discussion has a hierarchy of 1 or more comments
• Each discussion can have a decision, which closes that discussion

Many people can contribute to a discussion. Discussions are accessed in the same manner as annotations in previous Cradle releases, either through the Discussions cascade menu in the Item pull-down menu:

or from the right-click pop-up menu:

or from forms, both in WorkBench and in custom web UIs created with Cradle Web Access.

Discussions are presented as a hierarchical display of comments that can be reviewed and new comments added to any branch in the hierarchy for any discussion that has not been closed:

You can search the database for items based on their discussions, for example:

• Discussions where I have made a comment
• Discussions where comments have been made in the past week
• Discussions where I need to make a decision

using the new Discussions options in queries:

This discussions mechanism is extremely powerful. 3SL suggests that it can be used:

• To record discussions as part of formulating requirements and other items in the database
• As a change proposal system
• As an informal CM system

1. 3SL Newsletters
2. Newsletter Contents
3. 3SL Website
4. Need Help?
5. Cradle-6.3 Release
6. Supported Platforms
7. Cradle Gateway
8. Improved PDF and Visio Integration
9. Integration with OpenOffice
10. New Discussion Mechanism
11. Item Specific Alerts
12. Baseline Comparison Report
13. Wider Database Fields
14. Create Projects Remotely
15. Mixed Office Installations
16. Old Versions of Cradle

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