This document describes a Git commit log to CSV time log converter gem. It was created to track development time without timesheets, give transparency to clients, and produce documents for tax credits. The gem extracts time estimates from Git commit logs using assumptions like commits within 3 hours being a single session. It was published on RubyGems following gem creation instructions. The document also provides information on the U.S. R&D Tax Credit and lists some exclusions.

1. GIT Commit Log  CSV Time Log
© 2012 Rietta Inc.
Prepared by Frank Rietta.

2. Motivation
 Save money on taxes by producing
documents required by accountant to
properly apply for certain tax credits
 Track development time without
timesheets
 Give transparency to business clients by
encouraging more frequent commits

3. Benefits
 Developer
 Realistic tracking of his or her work
 Less opportunity to lose work due to the
encouraged use of GIT
 Project Manager
 Better time management, tracking, and
auditing
 Business Owner
 More transparency for their clients

4. Available Gem (BSD
License)
 github.com/rietta/git_time_extractor
 rubygems.org/gems/git_time_extractor
 gem install git_time_extractor

5. Assumptions
 A series of commits within 3 hours are
part of the same working session
 A first
commit is considered to
represent 30 minutes of working time
 Frequent commits increases the
accuracy of the estimated time

7. Intentionally Left Blank

8. Making a Gem
 Followed along with instructions in
Eloquent Ruby book by Russ Olsen
 Instructions also at
http://guides.rubygems.org/make-your-
own-gem/
 Used Gemcutter to publish
 gem build project.gemspec
 gem push project-0.2.1.gem

9. github.com/rietta
@FrankRietta (Twitter)
frank@rietta.com

10. U.S. R&D Tax Credit
 As a tax credit it’s better than just a plain
tax deduction
 Three Major Tests
1. New or Improved Business Components
2. Technological in Nature
3. Involves Uncertainty
See
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0,,id=156366
,00.html

11. But not … (1 of 2)
 Research conducted after the beginning
of commercial production.
 Research adapting an existing product
or process to a particular customer’s
need.
 Duplication of an existing product or
process.
 Surveys or studies.

12. But not … (2 of 2)
 Research relating to certain internal-use
computer software.
 Research conducted outside the United
States, Puerto Rico, or a U.S.
possession.
 Research in the social sciences, arts, or
humanities.
 Research funded by another person (or
governmental entity).