Difference between revisions of "Development Status"

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== StableBit ==
+
== Future Products ==
=== StableBit DrivePool 1.X ===
+
In addition to the regular ''Code Changes'' above, here are the things that we're working on in the long term:
No new features are planned for this version, however bug fixes will be applied for any confirmed issues.
 
  
=== StableBit DrivePool 2.X ===
+
=== StableBit Server ===
 +
This is more of an experiment right now, but we're working on releasing a physical server that will run our software.
 +
 +
Some things that we're looking at including are:
  
==== Currently in Development ====
+
* The latest ''Essentials'' OS from Microsoft.
 +
* Tight integration with our software, including the StableBit Cloud (see below).
 +
* Solid server-grade hardware in a compact package.
 +
* Great cooling performance while keeping the noise level down.
  
===== Action Feedback UI =====
+
Controlling the hardware that our software runs on will make it possible for us to ensure a more consistent and reliable user experience.
'''Completion estimate: 0%'''
 
  
* Certain actions should generate user feedback of various importance:
+
=== StableBit CloudDrive ===
** Damaged drive removed, but some files were not moved. User should be notified of which files were not removed.
+
This software product has been in the works since late 2013 and we're making great progress with it. The feature set for this product is yet to be announced.
** Drive removal aborted due to files in use, and user chose not to automatically close applications using those file. Use should be notified of which files are in use and by what applications.
 
** User should be able to see when the last balancing / background duplication pass took place and how long each took.
 
** If an incomplete file is discovered on the pool, user should be notified which file and what corrective actions were taken.
 
** All errors to actions, such as an error adding a drive to the pool or creating a new pool should be displayed in the action feedback UI.
 
  
===== Add Pool Parts from Virtual Volumes =====
+
=== StableBit FileSafe ===
'''Completion estimate: 50%'''
+
This software product is planned for a 2015 release. It's going to fit very well into the existing StableBit line of products.
  
This has been requested often. One example of a volume that doesn't reside on a physical drive is a mounted TrueCrypt volume.
+
=== StableBit Cloud ===
 +
The StableBit Cloud is going to be a new online service part of the StableBit bran.
  
==== Planned for Future Implementation ====
+
It's going to have these goals:
 +
* One secure place online where you can go to see the status of your StableBit products.
 +
* Extensive centralized notifications that can be configured on one place.
 +
* Responsive design for mobile devices.
  
===== Drive Removal Improvements =====
+
The StableBit Cloud is going to tie together the StableBit Server, StableBit Scanner, StableBit DrivePool and StableBit CloudDrive.
Drive removal should have more flexible options in terms of:
 
* Optionally, automatically closing handles to files that are in-use on the pool part being removed.
 
* Optionally, automatically restarting services / applications that have files open on the pool part being removed.
 
* Inform the user what files were skipped after forcing damaged drive removal.
 
  
===== Better Management of Running Out of Disk Space =====
+
The StableBit Cloud will also superceed BitFlock, which will be retired when the StableBit Cloud becomes available.
When an existing file cannot expand due to running out of disk space on some particular pool part, instead of returning the out of disk space error, we should force an immediate and quick re-balance in order to free up the disk space required for the file expansion and allow the expansion to go forward uninterrupted.
 
 
 
=== StableBit Scanner 1.X ===
 
No new features are planned for this version, however bug fixes will be applied for any confirmed issues.
 
 
 
=== StableBit Scanner 2.X ===
 
==== Deeper BitFlock integration ====
 
'''Completion estimate: 20%'''
 
 
 
Expect to see much deeper and more functional BitFlock integration in the future, in particular:
 
* More metadata about drives from the manufacturer spec sheets integrated with the SMART interpretation system.
 
** Maximum operating temperatures, per model.
 
** Maximum load / unload cycles, per model.
 
** Warranty time period for your model.
 
** Links to the manufacturer's web site and RMA request pages.
 
* Enhanced SMART interpretation using aggregated statistics for your drive model.
 
** Your drive age will be compared to other drives in the system of the same model giving you a better idea of how often your model fails.
 
* Create password protected BitFlock nests containing your SMART data, right from the StableBit Scanner UI.
 
 
 
==== Add Option to Ignore Existing Unreadable Sectors ====
 
Give the option to ignore existing unreadable sectors, just like we have the option to ignore current SMART warnings. This can be useful if the user chooses to continue using a drive that is showing unreadable sectors. For example, while not recommended, the user can choose to continue using a damaged drive if no user data was harmed by the unreadable sector.
 
* Add an explanation on what an unreadable sector really is, in plain english.
 
 
 
==== UI Usability ====
 
The UI needs to be refined for better usability.
 
* You should be able to copy / paste data from the drive details window.
 
* There should be an option to view detailed chkdsk results after fixing a file system.
 
* There should be a way to list disks that we've seen before, but are not currently connected to the system.
 
* ''Potential: Have a wire frame view of the disks.''
 
 
 
==== Reporting ====
 
You should have the ability to print out detailed drive health reports digitally signed by us.
 
 
 
=== Product 3 ===
 
'''Completion estimate: 25%'''
 
 
 
''Product 3'' has not been revealed yet. It will run on the Microsoft Windows family of Operating Systems and will consist of:
 
* 1 kernel driver.
 
* A system service.
 
* A user interface.
 
 
 
== BitFlock ==
 
=== StableBit Scanner Changes ===
 
'''Completion estimate: 50%'''
 
 
 
Changes related to the forthcoming tighter StableBit Scanner integration:
 
* Password protected nests.
 
* A clean REST API for posting updates and querying for information.
 
* Keep track of SMART statistics as they change over time.
 
=== Responsive Design ===
 
* BitFlock should look good on all devices of varying screen sizes.
 
=== Drive Health Statistics ===
 
* Show aggregate useful drive health statistics for each drive model.
 

Revision as of 16:18, 22 September 2014

This page lists features that are either planned for future implementation or are currently in development. Planned features are subject to change.

You can contact us at any time to report issues or request new features to be implemented.

Development Workflow

Our workflow for implementing feature requests and fixing bugs works like this:

  • You can contact us with any issues or feature requests using our contact us page.
  • One of our support personnel will reply to the contact request.
  • If the problem requires additional work, an Issue request is sent to another department (such as Software Development or Sales).
  • Issues can then turn into Code Change requests.
  • Meanwhile, while this is all happening, you get feedback on the status of your Issue or Code Change on your contact request page.
  • You can also see the status of all the pending Code Changes below.

Code Changes

Future Products

In addition to the regular Code Changes above, here are the things that we're working on in the long term:

StableBit Server

This is more of an experiment right now, but we're working on releasing a physical server that will run our software.

Some things that we're looking at including are:

  • The latest Essentials OS from Microsoft.
  • Tight integration with our software, including the StableBit Cloud (see below).
  • Solid server-grade hardware in a compact package.
  • Great cooling performance while keeping the noise level down.

Controlling the hardware that our software runs on will make it possible for us to ensure a more consistent and reliable user experience.

StableBit CloudDrive

This software product has been in the works since late 2013 and we're making great progress with it. The feature set for this product is yet to be announced.

StableBit FileSafe

This software product is planned for a 2015 release. It's going to fit very well into the existing StableBit line of products.

StableBit Cloud

The StableBit Cloud is going to be a new online service part of the StableBit bran.

It's going to have these goals:

  • One secure place online where you can go to see the status of your StableBit products.
  • Extensive centralized notifications that can be configured on one place.
  • Responsive design for mobile devices.

The StableBit Cloud is going to tie together the StableBit Server, StableBit Scanner, StableBit DrivePool and StableBit CloudDrive.

The StableBit Cloud will also superceed BitFlock, which will be retired when the StableBit Cloud becomes available.