Monthly Archives: September 2011

Windows 8 security: stronger but gentler

The Metro GUI is the most visible representation of Microsoft’s coming operating system. While the release of the tentatively named Windows 8 is still a year away, the company has not been shy about putting the multicolor tiled interface front and center.

Microsoft’s windows 8 incorporates more security than windows Vista, with fewer annoying upfront notification. The features they have announced are following:

- Allowing SmartScreen to check applications downloaded by other browsers and applications

- Improving Windows Defender

- Making Windows 8 harder to exploit

- Supporting UEFI Secure Boot

Source:

http://www.infoworld.com/t/windows-security/windows-8-security-stronger-gentler-174404?page=0,1

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Apple Sends Out Invite For IPhone Event On Oct. 4

On Tuesday, Apple sent reporters an email with the message, "Let’s talk iPhone," inviting them to an event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. Apple has traditionally held an event in the early fall to update iPod products, as well as its iTunes digital music jukebox software.

Apple shares recently rose 0.6% at $405.68 Tuesday.

The event next week follows what analysts say has been a blowout quarter for Apple’s iPhone 4. The device, which was released in June of last year, has been a hit with consumers despite initial customer complaints that the device’s antenna was prone to malfunctioning when held a certain way.

Overall, the iPhone has helped to drive Apple’s revenue and profit growth to record levels and has become the best-selling smartphone in the world.

Despite its high ranking, however, the iPhone’s sales pale in comparison to the mountain of devices sold around the world that are powered by Google Inc.’s (GOOG) Android operating system. The software, which powers phones made by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (SSHNY, 005930.SE), HTC Corp. (HTCXF, 2498.TW) and Dell Inc. (DELL), is used by 43% of U.S. smartphone subscribers, according to the latest surveys by Nielsen. The iPhone, by comparison, represents 28%.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110927-710668.html

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Tips for gaming testing

Game testing industry is expanding really fast and now there are many ‘game design’ and ‘video game’ testing openings available in market. The video game testing industry is set to become the largest industry. Gaming had its ups and downs over the years but it continues to grow leaps and bounds. Here we’ll talk about some game testing tips:

1. Understand Random Number Generator evaluation (RNG): This is very important to add unpredictability in game. In most games this RNG system is used to map game outcomes.

2. First identify the “game algorithm” from source code to identify issues in game application.

3. Verify the source code for appropriate use of random numbers and error handling.

4. Validate and evaluate the game predefined rules.

5. Verify consistency of game rules.

6. Make sure offensive content or material is never displayed.

7. Regularly Check Game history and system event logs.

8. Make sure Games outcome are displayed for a reasonable time.

9. Irrespective of Single/Multi player games we need to validate bandwidth and client software.

10. Verify Minimum/maximum limits of bets, deposits and other critical game symbols.

11. Verify correct game and system operation after game fail over and recovery.

12. Always verify all reports for data accuracy. Verify reports for date, time, number of wins, money etc.

13. Test System requirements. This is very important in game testing. Verify all the infrastructure and security requirements, Game equipments, network and game synchronization with OS.

14. Make sure sufficient information is always available to users to protect game players.

Source: http://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/get-paid-to-play-games-become-game-tester/

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A research commissioned about software testing

According to the research, which was commissioned by software testing firm SQS, revealed that software testing is one of the most important tasks for 91% of IT departments and almost all believe it is crucial to outsource this activity. It also revealed that three-quarters of companies already use service providers with onshore and offshore capabilities to provide testing services. Moreover, the research, questioned more that 300 IT decision-makers, also revealed the following:

1. 91% of IT decision-makers consider software testing and IT quality management to be among the most important IT tasks.

2. 90% of respondents consider a longer-term, partnership-based collaboration in testing to be indispensable.

3. 76% of companies are already using a service provider offering a mixture of local and offshore or nearshore testing services.

4. 97% of respondents state that technical competence of the testing team is an important or very important criterion.

5. 89% of managers surveyed consider flexible billing of testing services based on results achieved to be important or very important.

6. Two-thirds of the companies surveyed regularly measure whether the testing team is achieving its agreed objectives by using selected key performance indicators.

7. 60% expect high to very high availability and flexibility from a testing team, including 24/7 round-the-clock service/readiness.

8. 69% of companies surveyed consider multilingual capability is indispensable. The principal requirement is for contacts who can speak the language of the respective country and English.

Separating out software development and testing, companies benefit from a clear allocation of roles. Moreover, they improved transparency of services and test quality and the objectivity of testing performance.

Source: http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/09/22/247970/Software-testing-should-be-in-partnership-with-third.htm

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Software: Independent testing times for enterprises

Software testing is essential for businesses developing their own applications. It is key for both in-house applications and heavily customised. However, it is undergoing a period of consolidation now. Furthermore, CSC accquired AppLabs is evidence of this trend. Now it is difficult for IT directors whether to keep software testing independent of software development or not. For one hand dealing with a single supplier is easier and cheaper. However, keeping testing separate from development shoud ensure that applications are analysed ‘warts and all’ and there is no incentive for the integrator or developer either to cover up coding errors, or indeed sell additional services. A recent research shows that IT teams value independence highly.

Source: http://www.itpro.co.uk/636289/software-testing-times-for-enterprises

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Quality Assurance and Quality Control

We define the processes, policies, strategies, establish standards, developing checklists and so on in ‘QA’, while in ‘QC’ we follow all those defined processes, standards and policies to make sure that the project has been developed with high quality and at least meets customer’s expectations. QA does not assure quality, rather it creates and ensures the processes are being followed to assure quality. Meanwhile, QC does not control quality, rather it measures quality. QA and QC are both powerful techniques which can be used to ensure that the deliverables meet high quality expectations of customers.

Source: http://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/does-quality-assurance-remove-need-for-qualiqu-control/

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Testing and Test Automation Conference – SmartBear Software Presents

SmartBear Software, which provides tools for over 100,000 software professionals to build, test, and monitor some of the best software applications and websites anywhere on the desktop, mobile and in the cloud, announced yesterday that Ole Lensmar, Vice President of Technology, and Nick Olive, Senior Test Automation Consultant, will present at the Verify ATI 2011 Conference, which would be held in Arlington, Va form 26 – 28 Sep.

Olivo will describe some of the common pitfalls that evaluators fall prey to, offer guidance on how to avoid them, and discuss considerations that should be made while evaluating both commercial and open source tools on Sep 27 morning. And Lensmar will deliver “Automated Security Testing with SoapUI and Hudson” in the afternoon that day.

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/testing-and-test-automation-conference-smartbear-software-presents-2011-09-20

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SQS announced iqnite software testing conference speaker line up

SQS, the largest independent provider of software quality management, quality assurance and testing services, with principal focus on Europe, also the organiser of iqnite 2011, yesterday announced the speaker line up, workshops and exhibitors at the 2011 event, which will tackle software testing concerns including: independence, automation, agile and security testing with keynotes from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Jason Taylor of Specsavers.

The conference focus on Innovation and Industries streams in the morning, which was chaired by Helen Willington of Sodexo and the Chartered Institute of IT’s Michiel vander Voort respectively, and Agile and Metrics presentations in the afternoon by Thomas Spielmann of Centrica and Deutsche Bank’s Mark Mitton MBE.

Source: http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=67155

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Guidelines of GUI testing on smart devices

GUI (Graphical User Interface) does matter and creates a lot of difference. And GUI testing can be thoughest part especially while testing on smart device. Here are practical tips for testing GUI on smart devices:

1. Raise questions why they are there on the screen and try to answer these questions

2. Think about the missing controls

While testing GUI on smart devices, there are three important factors to be considered:

1. Size:

Make sure that controls size looks esthetically good and control is completely visible on the screen without any scrolling.

2. Style:

Definitely your application has a specific design, and style of the controls should match with that design.

3. Location:

Location and position are the two words that are used alternatively. For both, make sure that everything is logical and shows a good aesthetic sense.

Source: http://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/gui-testing-on-smart-devices-%E2%80%93-testing-guidelines/

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9 general tips on how to estimate testing time accurately

Test estimation and proper execution plays an important role in the development cycle of any successful project. Hence, test estimation should be realistic and accurate. Below are factors affecting software test estimation and general tips to estimate accurately:

1. Think of some buffer time

2. Consider the bug cycle

3. Availability of all the resources for estimated period

4. Think the estimation based on your product version

5. Estimations can go wrong – so re-visit the estimations frequently in initial stages before you commit it

6. Think of your past experience to make judgments

7. Consider the scope of project

8. Estimate load testing differently

9. Know your team well

Source: http://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/software-test-estimation-how-to-estimate-testing-time-accurately/

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