I just tried to use the automated support system at Paypal... Sarah - PayPal : Hello, I’m Sarah and I’m here to answer your questions about PayPal. Even though I’d like to be a real person, I’m not. … [Read more...] about Artificial Stupidity
The Great Implication of Context-Driven Methodology
Sometimes I hear people react to context-driven methodology with a shrug. "Yeah, everything depends on context. So what?" Here's the so what: If all practice depends upon context, then the competent … [Read more...] about The Great Implication of Context-Driven Methodology
Schools of Testing… Here to Stay.
The world of testing is divided into camps. Those camps argue with each other, sometimes. Mostly they ignore each other. These camps are like religions of software testing. They are determined and … [Read more...] about Schools of Testing… Here to Stay.
What the Certification Sales Lady Said…
At the Star conference, this week, the lady at the ASTQB booth was executive director Lois Kostroski. The ASTQB is the American chapter of the ISTQB. Here's the gist of the conversation we had about … [Read more...] about What the Certification Sales Lady Said…
We Need Better Testing Bloggers
I don't understand the mentality of bloggers like this guy. His view of the history of testing is a fantasy that seems designed to insult people who study testing. It applies at most to certain … [Read more...] about We Need Better Testing Bloggers
Conscientious Uncertification
I'm thinking of having badges made which say "Conscientiously Uncertified." It's for those of us who want to resist the dumbing down of our craft by cynical consultants promoting bogus tester … [Read more...] about Conscientious Uncertification
A View From Inside ISTQB/ISEB
Alan Richardson writes this commentary from inside one of the stupidest of the certification programs: the ISTQB (well, he says "ISEB", but by all accounts, it's being taken over by ISTQB … [Read more...] about A View From Inside ISTQB/ISEB
What if Software Development isn’t Golf?
Jason Gorman uses a golf analogy to talk about estimation. I like his analogy, but he didn't take it far enough for me. He left out a key element: we may not be playing golf. A typical sin committed … [Read more...] about What if Software Development isn’t Golf?
The Gerrard School of Testing
Paul Gerrard believes there are irrefutable testing axioms. This is not surprising, since all axioms are by definition irrefutable. To call something an axiom is to say you will cover your ears and … [Read more...] about The Gerrard School of Testing
Lawyers are Testers, Too
In 1982, when I was still in high school, I read an article in Time Magazine about teenagers who worked as programmers. The article inspired me to quit school and go to work as a programmer, too. I'm … [Read more...] about Lawyers are Testers, Too