Does Agile Allow for Effective Software Testing?

My experience with the Agile process has been geared to manual and automated testing.  The software developers spend 3 sprint periods developing new features and fixing defects.  At the end of the 3 sprints the developers deliver a new product with an outline of new features and fixed defects.  This gives the testing team 2 sprints to test the software and report any new defects or report if existing defects still exist.

For this process to work correctly the developers must be able to deliver working software by the end of the period and when the testers receive the software they must have all resources needed in a properly operational state.  In my experience it has been very difficult for developers to release working software on time which limits the time available for testers.

Once the testers receive the software there are sometimes a shortage of resource to do the proper testing.  Many times this is because the testing resources are expensive.  There often are technical or mechanical issues that make some testing resources unavailable. 

After the testing has been done there are new defects that must be planned into the next few sprints.  When the software has many new defects this limits the amount of new features that the developers can implement within the next few sprints.  With an unknown amount of defects after each testing sprint it makes it hard to plan new features.

In summary I believe that to create an environment that is conducive to proper testing the organization must have very good procedures in place to ensure that deadlines are met and resources are available when needed. Again, this is another example of how it takes an organization some trial and error to properly use the Agile development process.

Leslie P ---Extra Blog Post

The Transition to Responsive Design

Since being hired on to an internship working with and designing websites, I have learned a great deal about responsive design and it's advantages.  I came into the internship not knowing a thing about responsive design and knowing limited CSS3 and HTML5.  After completing a few tutorials, I caught on really quick.  My first task was to re-create an already created website.  This took me awhile to get my homepage set up the way they wanted it and looked the way they wanted it.  After finishing with all the HTML5 and CSS I thought I was done.  The website looked good.

I was then introduced to responsive design.  Apparently, my website was just at it's beginning.  I had created the homepage and all the subpages and it looked great!  My boss then asked how it looked when I decreased the window size.  The website then started breaking down and looking cluttered.  The formatting did not look good at all.  I was then introduced to media queries.  These are a savior when it comes to responsive design.  It allows you to design how the website will look at different window sizes.  This took a great deal of time to get everything organized to where it looks good at any window size, but when it was done I felt very accomplished.  I realized I create an entire website to not only work on a desktop computer, but to work on a mobile phone.  I searched the website on my phone and it looked great!

This really made me feel very good about myself when I finished the website.  I came in not knowing anything about responsive design.  I was then able to think intuitively and learn how to use media queries.  Now my website looks great no matter what the screen size.  In my management class we talked about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and I didn't really believe that people get more motivated from intrinsic motivation.  After this project, I fully endorse that intrinsic motivation is the best way to go.  The feeling of accomplishment is very underrated.  I will continue my internship and hopefully learn even more about website design!



Posted by: Nate Gaskill

“Please turn off and put away all electronic devices” statement is no more

Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that airline passengers will now be able to use portable electronic devices at any time of a flight, no matter the altitude.  This is in contrast to the policy that was in place up until now, where passengers were not allowed to use electronic devices any time the plane was below 10,000 feet. 

The previous rules governing electronic use in flight were based on the assumption that radio signals produced by electronic devices could interfere with an airplane’s radar, communications, and other systems during takeoff and landing.  This logic was proven faulty last year when a panel created by the FAA determined the majority of commercial airplanes are able to handle radio interference signals without a problem.

Even though the restrictions are fewer, the ruling should not be taken as a completely free pass on electronics.  For one, the use of cell phones for voice communication is still banned.  Perhaps of most significance is the fact that devices capable of data transfer or internet access besides Wi-Fi must still be in airplane mode throughout the duration of the flight.  These restrictions, when in combination with the new permissions for electronic devices, make the lives of flight attendants a little more difficult.  In addition, the new rules will make it more important for flight attendants to make sure all travelers are attentive during the safety briefing portion of flights.

Despite all this, the lift on the electronic devices ban is being met by praise across the board.  Just a few hours after the announcement, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue both filed plans with the FAA to allow the extra usage time on their flights.  They will be given approval once the FAA makes sure the air lines are following their implementation guidelines.   Members of travel and electronics industries have been especially appreciative of the decision.  U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow voiced his approval in a prepared statement, which included “What’s good for the traveler is good for travel-related businesses and our economy.”   From the general consumer and traveler, the ruling is expected to be met with positive feedback.  I know the extra time will not be much, but I am looking forward to it myself.   

Posted by Chelsea H 

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/31/travel/faa-portable-electronic-devices/