[acutelyobtuse]

This is not meant to sound challenging, I have used and, both loved and loathed, some JIRA setups. A lot of it might be implementation.

But as for the question, again not challenging, just curious:

What do you suggest as empowering, out-of-the-way, issue tracking software?

[LanceH]

I've really liked fogbugz.

[ark15]

I second that. I sometimes wonder why FogBugz+Kiln combination has not 'caught on' as much as other offerings like github, atlassian products, etc.

My only (but major) gripe I have with FogBugz is that it is stupidly hard to insert inline images in cases (compared to how easy it is in a github issue)..and while at it, the entire editor could use a makeover for ease of use/markdown capability

[LanceH]

I think it comes down to pricing for a lot of people. $300 a year per user basically and you don't own anything at the end of that term. $7200 a year for 25-150 doesn't seem so bad once you get up to 100+ users. $300 a year might not be bad for a developer who is in it every day, or a PM who keeps track of these things every day, but for that person who gets called in to fix one thing it can be expensive.

The price is steep for the most price sensitive users who probably already have experience in another tracking system. It's hard to get that user to try it the first time. Even the free version is very limited compared to other trials, allowing a total of 2 users, which probably isn't representative of the number of people involved when issue tracking is brought up.