The Connect Between Augmented Reality And Software Testing

Join us on July 29th for a webinar with Rajini Padmanaban & Nandan Chhabra where they will highlight:

1. How to test Augmented Reality and look at the technologies used to do so

2. Test real world scenarios to enhance end user experience

3. How to productively leverage Augmented Reality to ease our jobs as testers

Register Here

Cross Browser Testing Checklist

Cross Browser Testing Checklist for your handy reference!

1) CSS validation
2) HTML or XHTML validation
3) Page validations with and without JavaScript enabled
4) Ajax and JQeury functionality
5) Font size validation
6) Page layout in different resolutions
7) All images and alignment
8 ) Header and footer sections
9) Page content alignment to center, LHS or RHS
10) Page styles
11) Date formats
12) Special characters with HTML character encoding
13) Page zoom-in and zoom-out functionality
And obviously you will have to repeat these tests on:
14) Different Operating Systems like Windows, Linux and Mac
15) Different browsers (with different versions) like Internet explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari and Opera.

New EuroSTAR Community Site

EuroSTAR have recently launched a new Community Site which includes:

• Downloadable Presentations from the past 10 EuroSTAR conferences
• A Webinar Archive packed with webinars on various topics to listen to at your convenience
• Testing Forum to discuss, debate and interact with testers from across the globe
• Importantly, the new EuroSTAR blog which contains interviews with prominent testers and articles on various test related issues

You can take a look at the new community by clicking here - remember you must register first of all on the left of the page

We hope you find it to be a useful resource!

Recession-ary Testing

As we all know, the world has entered a particularly challenging time with a continuous stream of daily news on the recession, cutbacks and the credit crunch – what does this mean for Software Testers? How secure are our jobs? What effect will it have on testing as a function? I don’t have a crystal ball but I have read some interesting articles over the past few weeks and have come up with a new term – Recessionary Testing!

The Learning and Skills Council in the UK issued a 10 credit-crunch proof jobs list at the beginning of the year and Software Testing sat comfortably towards the top of the list along with Web Designers, IT Security Professionals & Viral Marketing Professionals. I found this interesting and wondered how they could formulate such a list, on what basis is testing more secure than any other profession?

Testing as a profession has grown enormously over the last decade to a point where the importance of software testing within any IT project cannot be underestimated. At EuroSTAR 2009 – attendees spoke about the future of Software Testing and during Manifesto workshops, came up with some intriguing ideas – Testing will be a university degree, we will survive every economic crisis, now and in the future and importantly, what I want to discuss – We will be Pro-Active, not Re-Active! You can view the manifesto online at http://www.softwaretestingmanifesto.org/

A Pro-Active tester can be relied upon and viewed as a real asset to a project in the current climate – software releases while always important are even more so nowadays as delays, bugs or any user issue will severely damage a company’s reputation. High standards of testing must be applied across the board to ensure that users engage with a highly polished product.

So what can testers do?

Innovate, not stagnate – get involved, interact, add value and continuously strive to improve. Get online, begin to read some test specific blogs, maybe start your own J join a local testing group (there’s lots) contribute in forums, share and receive advice and get informed as ‘Knowledge is Power’ (forgive the cliché) don’t hide away or muddle along, engage with one another and the benefits will be far-reaching.

Recessionary Testing is all about growing the profession and not letting the recession push us backwards – nobody is quiet sure when everything will look rosy again, least of all, our so-called economic experts but we can be Pro-Active and emerge stronger than ever..

EuroSTAR FREE Webinar: The Surprising Right Fit For Software Testing presented by Thorkil Sonne

EuroSTAR bring world class testing to the comfort of your own desk!
Thorkil Sonne founder of the inspirational company Specialisterne, has kindly offered to present a 30 minute live webinar titled: 'A Surprising Right Fit For Software Testing'


'The Surprising Right Fit for Software Testing' is all about people. Setting the right team is important - but did you know that you may be able to find untapped talents outside your team, outside your company and even as far as at the edge of society. Hear Thorkil Sonne discuss how testing has given meaning to life for many people with autism (mostly with Aspergers Syndrome) - and discuss with Thorkil, how we can make 'Testing for Real' benefit fragile people, as well as business driven companies.

Key points:
• Adding untapped skilled resources to testing
• Inspiration on how to access untapped talent pools
• There is more to business than just business

TIME & DATE
Date: Thursday, 26th February 2009
Time: 10:00am London-Dublin / 11:00am CET
Duration: 30 minutes

Don't miss this thought-provoking presentation!
Register Now!

Testing Disasters

As many of you will know, potential software disasters can easily turn into reality and in the vast majority of cases, can be or could have been avoided. Testing plays a vital role in the succesful implementation/launch of software and in many of the disasters that will be outlined later in this article, a greater emphasis on testing could have prevented any problems.

There is an old motto that ‘Failing to plan is planning to fail’ and this is true in everyday tasks as well as in complex IT projects. Some of the best-known IT related disasters could have learnt from this – Microsoft’s live demo of their Voice recognition software – view video, the notorious millenium bug which netted consultants billions of dollars and more recently, the open of Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

The launch of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 was meant to be a proud day for British Airways but instead turned into an absolute PR disaster as the failure of the baggage handling systems disrupted thousands of holidaymakers plans.

On the day of opening it quickly became apparent that the new terminal was not operating smoothly, and British Airways cancelled 34 flights and was later forced to suspend baggage check-in. Over the following 10 days some 28,000 bags failed to travel with their owners, and over 500 flights were cancelled.

The difficulties were later blamed on a number of problems with the terminal's IT systems, coupled with insufficient testing and staff training and cost BA a considerable amount through a subsequent advertising campaign to assure the public that things.

Another spectacular IT failure that can be attributed to insufficient testing is the Siemens passport system fiasco. It was the summer of 1999, and half a million British citizens were less than happy to discover that their new passports couldn't be issued on time because the Passport Agency had brought in a new Siemens computer system without sufficiently testing it and training staff first.

Hundreds of people missed their holidays and the Home Office had to pay millions in compensation, staff overtime and umbrellas for the poor people queuing in the rain for passports. But why such an unexpectedly huge demand for passports? The law had recently changed to demand, for the first time, that all children under 16 had to get one if they were travelling abroad.

Tory MP Anne Widdecombe summed it up well while berating the then home secretary, Jack Straw, over the fiasco: "Common sense should have told him that to change the law on child passports at the same time as introducing a new computer system into the agency was storing up trouble for the future." (Taken from ZDNET.co.uk)

The Airbus A380 also experienced problems and delays due to a lack of testing and forward planning. This was a major European undertaking and, according to Business Week, the problem arose with communications between two organisations in the group: the French Dassault Aviation and a Hamburg factory. Put simply, the German system used an out-of-date version of CATIA and the French system used the latest version. So when Airbus was bringing together two halves of the aircraft, the different software meant that the wiring on one did not match the wiring in the other. The cables could not meet up without being changed.

The problem was eventually fixed, but only at a cost that nobody seems to want to put an absolute figure on. But all agreed it cost a lot, and put the project back a year or more.
Other notable inclusions include McDonalds plan to create an intranet so grand in scale and scope that it was quiet literally impossible - In 2001, the fast-food chain conceived a project to create an intranet connecting headquarters with far-flung restaurants that would provide operational information in real time. Under the plan, dubbed Innovate, a manager in the company's Oak Brook HQ would know instantly if sales were slowing at a franchise in Orlando, or if the grill temperature at a London restaurant wasn't hot enough. It just proved far too much to bite off (taken from Informationweek.com)

There are of course numerous other examples where a lack of testing can be attributed as a major factor in the failure or delay of major projects – so if anybody would like to add some, feel free to do so through the comments section below

Thoughts on EuroSTAR 2008

Following another successful EuroSTAR I am delighted to have received some very positive feedback from both delegates and speakers.

Check out the blogs below with entries regarding EuroSTAR 2008 and feel free to comment here in the EuroSTAR Community about your experience or email me with links to other blogs where you have your thoughts on EuroSTAR 2008.

Thoughts from The Test Eye

Randy Rice's Software Testing & Quality Blog

Thanks,
Susan

EuroSTAR Free Conference Place Winner

I’d like to extend my thanks to all of you who entered last month's Early Bird Competition to win a free place at EuroSTAR 2008. Congratulations to Jessica Algovik, SEB, Sweden who will be joining us this year in The Hague courtesy of EuroSTAR.
I also would like to congratulate ps_testware who have won a two page advertisement in the year’s conference guide for their cooperation in promoting our Early Bird Competition. Thank you to all the participating companies.


Check out the EuroSTAR 2008 Conference Programme!

Register Now and Save €250!!!!

The EuroSTAR 2008 Programme Chair, Bob van de Burgt and his committee have put together an outstanding conference programme embodying this year's theme - 'The Future of Software Testing'. Bringing a variety of speakers from throughout the world together, for an action-packed week of networking, discussion and debate is how EuroSTAR has established itself as Europe's premier AND largest software testing conference. With over 1,000 delegates present last year we had our largest ever attendance and predict more record breaking numbers in The Hague!

Register online before this Friday, September 19th and save €250!

Be part of Europe's Ultimate Testing Experience-
Register Today!

Win A FREE Conference Place At EuroSTAR 2008!

This competition is now closed

To coincide with the Early Bird Deadline of September 19th we are giving YOU the chance to win a FREE conference place EuroSTAR 2008!
Enter our competition today and you could be joining us in The Hague, this November for Europe’s premier software testing conference.

Software Testing Revolutionized - Automate from day ONE for automated progressive testing!

I would like to invite experts on this forum to comment on this new technology - SCIMITAR for which we have now filed a patent application also - www.sapient.com/scimitar !

With this technology, we are enabling automation for progressive testing (first time testing of new features or new applications) versus the current approach of automating the regression test bed! With this approach you get an automated regression test bed for FREE.

Further more, we are providing a visutal test authoring tool to write these automated test cases which is then so easy to use that manual testers can use it to write these automated test cases (while developers are busy writing code for new applications or for new features). Later, QTP code is generated at run-time to run these test cases in automated fashion.

With this testers can write up to 60% more automated test cases per day compared to number of test cases they typically write manually and 1000% (yes thousand percentage) more test cases per day comapred to number of automated test cases that an automation engineer typically creates per day.

You can read more about it at http://www.sapient.com/scimitar and request for a white paper also.

Please do let us know what you think about it.

EuroSTAR Tutorial Day - Malmö, Sweden

EuroSTAR Tutorial Day - Malmö, Sweden - September 22nd
EuroSTAR will hold a Tutorial Day in Malmö on September 22nd where attendees will learn from renowned test gurus,
Lee Copeland and John Fodeh.
The two full-day courses will run from 9am - 5.30pm. The price for a full day Tutorial is €580


A: Test Management: Roles, Organisation and Processes - Lee Copeland, Software Quality Engineering, USA
The key to successful testing is effective and timely planning. Lee Copeland introduces proven test planning methods and techniques, including the Master Test Plan and level-specific test plans for acceptance, system, integration, and unit testing ...Read More


B: Establishing an Effective Test Metrics Program - John Fodeh, Hewlett Packard, Denmark

This course shows how to establish a set of metrics to support development and testing with estimating, planning, predicting and monitoring. Learn how to collect, analyze, present and communicate metrics effectively ... Read More


Places on each Tutorial are limited so contact us today on +353 91 514470 to guarantee your place at what promises to be a fantastic training experience.
Members of SAST receive a 5% discount on Tutorial Fee's.
Group Discounts available.

Book Now!
Click here for more Information

The Future of Software Testing discussed by James Whittaker and Randall Rice!

EuroSTAR Live 30 minute Webinar.
Join this year's Programme Chair - Bob van de Burgt, together with Keynote Speakers James Whittaker and Randall Rice for a sneak preview of what is in store for you at EuroSTAR 2008, followed by a Q&A session. Don't miss your chance to see these world-class presenters in action.

Date: Wednesday, 11th June, 2008
Time: 2:00pm Dublin- London / 3:00pm CET
Duration: 30 mins

•James Whittaker will discuss ‘The End of Testing As We Know It’
•Randall Rice will discuss ‘Trends That May Shape the Future of Software Testing'
•Followed by a Q&A session- ask the experts your questions!

Recorded version of this webinar is available in our Webinar Archive

EuroSTAR 2008 Programme Now Available!

We are excited to announce the EuroSTAR 2008 Conference Programme is now available online. This year's Programme Chair, Bob van de Burgt and his committee have brought together an outstanding line-up of world class speakers and innovating topics relating to the conference theme -"The Future of Software Testing"

View Programme Today!!!

Win TWO Tickets To The UEFA EURO 2008 Final!!!

This Competition is now Closed!


Congratulations to the winner Henk van Merode, from KLM, Netherlands!!!

EuroSTAR 2008 is giving you the chance to win TWO tickets to the UEFA EURO 2008 Final taking place this June in Vienna!

EuroSTAR 2008 Call For Papers Deadline - Friday, 7th March!

Read the Call for Papers 2008 today. This is your chance to submit your suggested talk for the EuroSTAR 2008 conference programme.

EuroSTAR 2008 conference theme - 'The Future of Software Testing'

Find out more...

What should every professional software tester know?

As part of the Professionalism in IT initiative, the British Computer Society (BCS) recently asked for input in order to produce a Core Body of Knowledge for IT professionals. The aim of this work is to counter the “silo effect” that has resulted from increasing specialisation within IT:

“As the scope of IT has broadened, those working in IT have become increasingly specialised. As a result, IT professionals have less understanding of what each other do, are less able to work effectively together and are less likely to know who to turn to when faced with problems beyond their own competence.”

I’d be interested in what you think every professional software tester should know, especially with respect to those areas of knowledge that fall outside the domain of software testing.

Please share your thoughts on this topic.

Defining the profession - what next?

Following my keynote at EuroSTAR, a number of people wanted to know, “What do we do next to develop the profession?” and other people saying to me, “We have already started on this by…” so here are just some of the ideas and some of the projects already underway which you could join.

A group from Norway are already looking at links with universities to provide a improved tester education. This is from the Norwegian special interest group – visit http://dataforeningen.no/FgdLS4k.ips and http://dataforeningen.no/?module=Articles;action=ArticleFolder.publicOpenFolder;ID=1930

In the UK, the UK Testing Board is seeking volunteers to help write exam questions; visit the UK Board on www.uktb.org and email info@uktb.org.uk if you want to be part of the exam question group

Two survey activities are taking place; both researchers would value your input and their research will help us have a greater understanding of current position and what we need to do next.

• Brett Sumner is carrying out a survey and interviews for an MBA to look at the evolution of the IT profession and the relationship between IT and the business, and the links to his survey are in the December EuroSTAR Newsletter and are:

For general IT end users, business and management: http://www.surveyconsole.com/console/TakeSurvey?id=416482

For IT practitioners, IT management, etc. : http://www.surveyconsole.com/console/TakeSurvey?id=411081

• Nick Pearce – who spoke at EuroSTAR on cultural aspects of professionalism – is starting research for an MSC dissertation “An investigation into the discipline of software testing and its transition towards a profession.” Nick is looking for volunteers to interview, so please contact him on nick.pearce@infuse.it if you are happy to be interviewed.

If you are interested in the IT route map for development of the profession, look at www.ifip.org and click on “projects”. You’ll also find your country’s IT professional body, if you are not sure what it is.

If you are interested in certification schemes, have a look at the International Software Testing Qualification Board website, www.istqb.org. If you want to look at alternatives, have a look at the debates on the Association for Software Testing website http://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/
for discussion of certification schemes in an interview with Cem Kaner.

Two people from France said they would be interested in a special interest group in France – so I have put them in touch with each other – if you know of a SIG in France, we could pass that information on, or if you also want a SIG in France, again, we could put you in touch with each other.

If you are involved with any other initiatives or projects, why not write a short piece for the EuroSTAR newsletter to let everyone know what you are doing?

A number of people said that they are interested in continuing to discuss ideas. So, let’s use the EuroSTAR blog to do that as it already exists! But be aware this will not be “my” group as some of you have suggested! This will be “your” group – for you to control, keep alive and keep interesting! For you to agree, disagree, debate and try out ideas. For you to communicate, form plans and form groups to make things happen! So this is the start of a blog-place for you to add to and discuss ideas...

Thanks for your time. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Isabel Evans

Upcoming EuroSTAR Webinar- Thursday, 15th November.

'Regulating Professional Competence: How do we know we are fit to practice software testing?'
-Presented By Isabel Evans, Testing Solutions Group, UK.

Date: Thursday, 15th November, 2007
Time: 10:00 am London-Dublin / 11:00am CET
Duration: 30 minutes

Key Points
• Education and experience – how professions define competence levels
• Qualification - how professions regulate qualification levels for entry
• Evidence for competence level - how professions regulate individual career progress.

Biography
Isabel Evens, Testing Solutions Group, UK
Isabel is a Principal Consultant at Testing Solutions Group with over 20 years experience in the IT industry, including development of procedures, standards and methods, test management, test design and quality management. As well as presenting seminars and training courses to clients, Isabel has spoken on software quality, testing and test management at conferences in the UK, Europe and the USA. Her book, “Achieving Software Quality Through Teamwork” was published by Artech in May 2004. Isabel is a Certified Fellow of the British Computer Society. After 4 years study part time, Isabel qualified in 2006 with an RHS Advanced Certificate in Horticulture.

Register Today!

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EuroSTAR Webinar - Thursday, 11th October.

'How To Develop A Reliable Test Effort Estimation'
- Presented By Ruud Teunissen, Polteq IT Services, The Netherlands

Date: Thursday, 11th October, 2007
Time: 10:00 am London-Dublin / 11:00am CET
Duration: 30 minutes

Key Points
• Even with little or almost no information available, it is possible to define a global estimate. By asking and answering a few questions, your estimate becomes more accurate.
• The “average” project is a myth! There are always differences that influence the required test effort. Learn how to create an approach for effort estimation that you can tune and that is reliable, defendable and negotiable.
• It's better to be honest than to admit you did not tell the whole truth at the start. It's essential for any estimate!

Biography
Ruud Teunissen, Polteq IT Services, The Netherlands
In the testing world since 1989, Ruud Teunissen has held numerous test functions in different organizations and projects: tester, test specialist, test consultant, test manager, etcetera. Ruud is co-author of Software Testing- Guide to the TMap® Approach and is a frequent speaker at (inter)national conferences and workshops. He was a member of the program committee for Quality Week Europe and EuroSTAR. Ruud is currently an International Test Consultant at POLTEQ IT Services BV.

Register Now!

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