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False Failures: Worse Than Real Failures

August 31, 2010 — 5:52 pm

Better to fail for real than fail to really fail. Huh?
We know you’ve experienced this. Let’s say you just added some new functionality into your software, and you run a new build. And let’s say that 50% of your test cases fail. What is the first thing you assume?

We’ve asked this same question as our “teaser pitch” last winter to 100 developers and QA professionals who walked up to our booth at a recent conference, and 95 of them had the same answer! The tests must be broken!

This creates a cascading set of bad assumptions that will make your manager recite the adage about “ASS out of U and ME” on the whiteboard at the next project meeting. Here’s why.

* You assume that the problem is not with your application, it is with the test cases themselves being broken or no longer valid.
* So you spend time comparing the test cases with whatever changed in your new build.
* Then you dig into the test scripts to try to figure out why the test case is no longer passing, and rework them until they pass.
* Or you just give up and try validating by clicking through your old Word document test cases. Fun busy work.

How can you possibly call this testing? Rather than using the test to validate the application, you are using the application to test the test case – which is a program you coded!

Yes, unit tests are important for finding structural bugs in your code. But once a unit test tries to get beyond that granular level of testing, it becomes another fragile program in your development environment.

It is outrageous to assume that relying on coded unit test cases alone offers you any value in functional testing. In fact, the whole process is so manual and highly inefficient, that you wonder if you are doing anything more than making busy work for your own team.

Unit testing has its limits. There are methods people have tried to get beyond these limits, but it is like challenging the theory of gravity.

* Attempting to code for reuse – may seem possible but can only get you to the edge of Unit testing’s limits.
* Attempting to test the UI with your QA group, doesn’t really work if you can’t see those middle and back-end layers.

What makes false failures so dangerous? Besides the fact that they are a morale vampire that will make the team give up on testing, false failures impact the overall effectiveness of testing. If you don’t know if a failing test case is even valid, what do you really learn from testing? It is like a detective that never gathers evidence.

Time to declare war on false failures.

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Your Information Technology Career: Beware The Comfort Zone

August 30, 2010 — 3:53 am

I’ve seen it happen time and again to programmers, network engineers and administrators, and other IT personnel. They get a solid IT position, a good-paying job, and they get comfortable. They stop keeping up with the latest technologies, they stop studying, they no longer keep their CCNA, MCSE, and other industry certifications up-to-date…. and then one day, their comfortable job is gone.

Maybe they get laid off, maybe the company moves and they don’t want to move with it… but for one reason or another, they’re in the worst position possible. They have no job, and they have allowed their IT skills to deteriorate to the point where they are no longer employable.

If you’re in IT, you must be constantly learning. You must continually take the long view, and ask yourself three important questions. First, where do you want to be in three years? Second, what are you doing now in order to reach this goal? And finally, if you were laid off today, are your current skills sharp enough to quickly get another job?

That third question can be the hardest of all to answer honestly. I’m reminded of Microsoft announcing years ago that they would no longer be recognizing the MSCE 4.0 certification, since the network operating systems that certification was based upon would no longer be supported by MS. (Keep in mind that this change was announced months in advance, giving those holding the MCSE 4.0 plenty of time to earn the latest MS certification.)

Some MCSE 4.0s just went nuts. Microsoft’s certification magazine printed letter after letter from angry MCSEs saying that their company would always run NT 4.0, and that there was no reason for them to ever upgrade their certification.

This wasn’t just denial. This was career suicide. Let’s say that their network never moved from NT 4.0. Let’s also say that they got laid off yesterday. Would you want to go out into the current IT workplace and have your most recent network operating system experience be on NT 4.0 ? I sure wouldn’t.

The fact is that you’ve got to continue studying, continue growing, and continue learning new things if you want to have a successful long-term IT career. If you plan on studying only one topic, getting into IT, and then never cracking a book again, you’re entering the wrong field. And for those of us who have been in it for a while – again, ask yourself this question: “Am I prepared for what would happen if I were laid off today?” And if you’re not, do something about it!

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Antivirus Software – Protecting Your Computer’s Data

August 29, 2010 — 3:30 pm

When you buy a new computer you must protect your investment from malicious software programs such as viruses, worms, spyware, and trojans. These programs can cause serious damage to your computer system by erasing data or providing your sensitive data to criminals. You can help protect your personal computer by installing antivirus software to remove and prevent nasty viruses and spyware.

There are various antivirus programs available on the market and while they all do the same job, there are several things to keep in mind when choosing a program.

First you will want to consider the ease of use of the software. The average computer user is not tech savvy so you will want your antivirus software to be very user friendly. Look for features such as easy configuration as well as scanning your system on demand. The software should also automatically check for updates.

A good antivirus program will also be able to remove dangerous viruses, trojans, and worms and prevent new ones from infecting your computer. If the program cannot completely remove these viruses, it should at the minimum be able to keep the virus from spreading.

It is also important to ask if the software is a system hog. Many antivirus programs can use up a lot of your computer’s resources slowing down your system. This can cause problems if you plan on running your antivirus software in the background while you continue to work. There are many good programs available that use resources more effectively. They run unnoticed in the background while you continue to work normally.

Some antivirus programs do include spyware prevention but in order to be fully protected, you may opt for purchasing separate spyware software as well. A separate spyware program can help ensure that your computer is safe from spyware issues that a combo program may not be equipped to catch.

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Electronics Get Personal: Affordable Gadgets Top Everyone’s Wish List

August 26, 2010 — 5:53 pm

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that consumer spending on personal electronics is at an all time high. After all, gadgets are getting both cooler and more affordable. The device viewed as extravagant only a few years ago is a must-have today. Here’s an overview of some of the consumer electronics that top everyone’s wish list.

Digital Camera

In today’s digital age, film cameras are an anachronism. Although a few years ago, experts in the technology field viewed the digital camera as a computer peripheral rather than as a consumer product, the digital camera has caught on like wildfire. And, why not? After all, a filmcard gives the amateur photographer virtually unlimited opportunities to take pictures, review them, and know instantly whether or not he or she got the shot. With options ranging from point-and-shoot to specialty lighting for, say, eBay pictures, digital cameras have something for everyone. The newer models even have the capability to record high quality digital video and easily upload it to popular sites like YouTube.

GPS Receivers

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and consists of a number of satellites in the Earth’s orbit. A GPS receiver takes the information from the satellites to determine your latitude and longitude on the Earth’s surface. Map overlays and other data provide the user with valuable information, such as driving directions, the locations of nearby stores, banks, and gas stations, and so forth. GPS receivers are also extremely popular for the relatively new sport of geocaching, where they are used to find containers hidden at certain longitudes and latitudes.

Video Gaming Consoles

When it comes to video games, the numbers are astounding. The video game industry brings in more money per year than the motion picture industry. It’s no wonder, then, that video gaming consoles are some of the hottest commodities around. The PlayStation2 is still going strong, while the Xbox 360 made history with the stupendous success of the recently released Halo 3 game.

But perhaps the most revolutionary console of all is the Wii console. With the Wii, gaming is no longer passive. The controllers and nunchuk let players physically become part of the action, and the Wii console welcomes players into an online community where they can construct their own avatars, participate in surveys, and so much more. Plus, the Wii is a fully functional Web browser!

Cellular Phones and Accessories

It’s an understatement to say that cellular phones are ubiquitous. Whether you’re on the subway, in a bookstore, or driving in a car, chances are good that you are either talking on a cell phone or overhearing another person’s conversation. Now that we’re always in touch, accessories like a Bluetooth headset are almost a necessity. Wireless connectivity is safer and more convenient, and a Bluetooth headset is like a fashion accessory.

Buying Online

The best news about personal electronics is that, whether you’re looking for a digital camera or a laser printer, you can buy it online with a few clicks of your mouse. There are wonderful one-stop online electronics stores that carry everything you could wish for – at incredibly affordable prices. The only question that remains is, what new must-have device will hit the stores next?

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Extranets For Advertising Agencies

— 6:07 am

Ideally, clients and agencies have aligned interests, and they usually do. Today there are real challenges to that important alignment, forcing clients and agencies to look for new and better ways to collaborate. Enter easy-to-use, web based extranets.

What is an extranet?

Specifically, an extranet is a private web site that provides a secure environment for a select group of users to share documents and information.

Although it is accessed through a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, it differs from a public web site in that it can be used only by an audience that has permission to access it through the use of IDs and passwords.

Agencies use extranets as a client service tool to share documents with clients and vendors, to organize projects, and to archive previous work for direct client access. There is no limit on the size of files that can be posted, allowing agencies to share text documents, graphics, audio, video, message boards, and data.

Often, extranets are used to replace email as a means to communicate within and across work groups. Unlike email, all communication is secure and any size document can be exchanged. Plus, an extranet provides a system for filing all the documents into project-related folders as part of the exchange process.

An extranet increases agency efficiency and makes a client’s life easier by saving time and frustration. An extranet facilitates faster and easier access to materials. Essentially, it is a web-based filing cabinet shared by the agency and its client.

Controlled by the agency, it puts both current projects and past work within easy reach at any time, resulting in significant time savings for both you and your client.

It provides instant client feedback and a permanent record of all comments and activity. Input and decisions are fully documented, and the work-flow moves faster in a more informed environment.

In addition to supporting day-to-day client service, extranets can be used in a variety of ways. Agencies with retail clients use them to service retail locations throughout the country, or to support clients with multiple offices that need a single source for the agency’s work.

Choosing an extranet

As with all ad agency software, when choosing an extranet there are a variety of choices, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you examine the alternatives:

Does it support the way you work now? If you have to change the way you work, it’s possible that your staff will be reluctant to use it. The extranet design should allow you to move forward without upsetting the way you and your clients currently work together.

Will your staff and client want to use it? The more complex the extranet, the less it will be used. Consider carefully the features that you really need, and choose an extranet that offers only those features. That will assure that it’s easy to learn, and easy to use.

Does it have the tools your agency needs? Make sure that the extranet supports all the applications used in agency/client collaboration. For instance, assure that it will stream audio and video. And look for tools that allow you to create folder structures that mimic your current approach to communicating, filing work, etc.

Today, clients have less and less time. Projects are moving faster and faster, and there is less administrative support available to both client and agency.

An extranet addresses these issues directly, and offers the advantage of having all pertinent information available 24/7 from literally anyplace on the globe, within a highly secure environment.

Ultimately, the case for an extranet is driven by everyone’s desire to be more efficient and effective, with less frustration and aggravation.

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An Assumption on the Advanced Multi-Featured Alarm Clocks!

August 23, 2010 — 7:38 pm

Whether you are a professional or a student or a desperate housewife who would always try to cook the breakfast at the right time for her husband; your MORNING determines how you would spend the whole day. A healthy morning makes your day more energetic and keeps you out of being groggy through out. So it would really be a great fun to type down something on this topic and share some insights. I was pondering over the topic and wondering where to start exactly and got stuck by a blog “Alarm clocks are bad. How to wake up and feel better” suddenly while searching through Google. Fantastic topic and I would certainly love to spend some minutes on topics like this one. The very first few lines, “Waking up abruptly by the sound of an alarm clock is an inherently unnatural thing to do. Sometimes you can wake up after 8 hours and feel like crap. Other times, you can wake up after 6 hours and feel completely rested. The problem lies in what you’re doing when you’re suddenly woken up from your slumber…” [Quoted from veenix.blogspot.com]

Really the traditional alarm clocks are the nothing but the most disturbing instruments that ever can be kept beside your bed. If we dig out every psychological problem due to abrupt morning sessions, I would say in most cases we would discover this crap as the one of the possible reasons. But this is my personal assumption and no one should be so much decisive about the fact or opinion imparted above as everyone has his/her right to speak. The more general approach would be that not all alarm clocks are bad enough. Technology has advanced a lot and lot of research and development put into this and as a result some great and innovative products have come out to the market. Alarm clocks with radio from brands like Jwin, Jensen, Cobra, ConairPhone and some other brands are really pretty popular among folks. These alarm radios are not only popular for their trendy look and multifunctional features, but also for their innovative technology. Let’s draw a comparison in between traditional alarm clocks and these advanced alarm clocks with other useful attachments.

Traditional clocks have not been so helpful only because of their harsh sound. You need to set the alarm before going into bed; otherwise you may get up late in the morning. I still have one such traditional alarm clock that is still capable enough to scream all through morning. But I’ve replaced that one with a new alarm radio and kept that in my collection closet. On the other hand these new generation alarm clocks are very useful and worthy to keep beside the bed lamp. Alarm clocks with radio can let you tune in to the radio instead of harsh buzzer. Just set your radio with low volume that you would expect enough to wake you up as well as not that harsh and go to your bed without being worried about your delayed get up. Another significant fact is, DO NOT follow anybody blindly. You understand yourself and your activities better than anybody else. So it would be advisable to consult with your doctor for better tips and consult with an alarm clock expert would be very useful. After all it’s the Good Sleep that Matters to us. Here follows some information that can let you buy some great alarm clocks with radio, phone, projector, DVD player and many more at better price. Visit BlueBearToys store at your locality or log on to our website for thousands of great alarm clocks products with exciting price range that enables you saving up to 50% on your purchase.

About BlueBearToys:
BlueBearToys has been in business since 1997 and has been a place where millions of customers have put their trust in us to provide them with the best electronic products at the best prices. BlueBearToys has been emphasizing the customer satisfaction and pricing all the time and its wide popularity is the result of continuous effort to retain the basic objectives. For more information about BlueBearToys; please log on to http://www.bluebeartoys.com/ and you can call us at 1-866-669-8676 (Toll Free).

At BlueBearToys, we love our customers, and always strive to make customers feel at home.

Happy Shopping!!

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Which computer printer technology would you go for?

August 20, 2010 — 6:58 am

A computer printer is a device that produces human readable text or graphics in electronic form.

The following printer technologies are found in modern printers

Toner based printers: Toner based printers are very similar to photocopiers. They refer to the method used to adhere to the media. They are known for high quality prints, high print speed and low cost per copy. The most common example of toner based printers is laser printers. Their cost effective benefit has made them dominant for home and office applications. Another fine example of toner based printer would be LED printer which uses an array of LEDs instead of a laser to cause toner adhesion.

Inkjet Printers: Inkjet printers are cheaper than laser printers but they are expensive to run as their cartridges need to be frequently replaced. Inkjet printers are widely used at homes and by small business users. They have an excellent all round printing capabilities from black and white to color prints. Inkjet printers ensure high resolution photo prints offering high quality photographs. Inkjet printers are comparatively much slower than laser printers. Another disadvantage of inkjet printer is that the pages take a long time to dry before they can be actually handled.

Impact Printers: Impact printers rely on a forcible ink to transfer ink to the media. They are similar to typewriters and have a limited capacity for reproducing text. A daisy wheel printer is a specific type of printer where the type is molded around the edge of a wheel. Impact printers are basically of two types letter quality printers and dot matrix printers.

Line Printers: Line printers print an entire line of text at a time. These printers were the fastest in impact printers and were used for bulk printing in large computer centers. They were never used with personal computers due to their operating system. They have now been replaced by high speed laser printers.

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Adobe Graphic Design Website Software Lets Your Creativity Flow

August 19, 2010 — 3:47 pm

Whether you’re a web developer, a graphic designer, or an artist, you’ve undoubtedly counted on Adobe software to help you get the job done. Now, the design world is buzzing about Adobe Creative Suite 3, a collection of computer graphic design tools that are fully integrated to allow you to work in almost any medium.

Adobe offers six different editions of CS3, designed to fit the needs of a variety of professionals. The six editions are:

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium – Developed for the designer who works in mobile, Web, and print publishing, CS3 Design Premium includes the professional or extended versions of InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, and Acrobat.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Standard – Perfect for the professional who works primarily in print, CS3 Design Premium includes InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Professional.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium – Adobe takes web design software to a whole new level by allowing integration across virtually all Adobe products, including Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute Cue, Bridge, and Device Central.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Standard – Perfect for website design, this graphics software integrates Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, and Contribute.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Platinum – Adobe solves the challenges of video post production by combining a wide variety of products, including Bridge, Dynamic Link, Device Central, Acrobat Connect, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop Extended, Flash Professional, Illustrator, Soundbooth, and Encore. For professionals working in a Windows environment, it also includes OnLocation and Ultra.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection – The CS3 Master Collection is a computer graphics dream come true, with virtually every Adobe product integrated so that you can create in almost any medium, including film, print, mobile, Web, and interactive. The Master Collection includes InDesign, Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, Acrobat Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, and Encore. Web applications include Bridge, Cue, Device Central, Stock Photos, Acrobat Connect, Dynamic Link, OnLocation, and Ultra.

Essentially, CS3 provides professionals with product configurations that will enable them to seamlessly accomplish their goals. For example, designers can do web page design, user interface design, game development, e-learning, animation, and mobile development. Those who work with video can do editing and production, multimedia, audio editing and production, and visual effects. And, of course, professionals can edit and fuse images, as well as design for print.

Professionals also appreciate Adobe graphic design website software because it works on a variety of platforms, including Windows Vista and both Tiger and Leopard on Macs. And, for those who already own Adobe products, it’s easy to upgrade to CS3 – even from standalone graphics software programs. Finally, those who purchase one CS3 edition and then decide that they would like an enhanced version (moving from, for example, CS3 Design Standard to Design Premium) can easily make the switch.

There’s no question that the creativity of designers has spurred Adobe to step up and develop a toolkit that enables professionals to reach new heights.

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Easy Guide to Buy Digital Camcorders and DVD Camcorders

— 7:27 am

A camcorder is a portmanteau word made by combining ‘Camera’ and ‘recorder’. A camcorder is a portable television camera and videocassette recorder. It is an electronic device for recording video images and audio onto a storage device. It contains both camera and recorder in one unit. The camcorders generally contain digital cameras. A camcorder having digital camera or digital technology is known as digital camcorder. A camcorder having dvd facility is dvd camcorder. A camcorder is powered with a camcorder battery.

Sony introduced the first camcorder in 1983, followed by Kodak in 1984. The first camcorders combined the video-camera with an existing full-size VHS/Betamax recorder. These camcorders were large devices that required a sturdy tripod or strong shoulders to stably support the camera’s bulk. The majority of these were designed for right-handed operation, except a few that possessed ambidextrous ergonomics.

Sony introduced the first HandyCam camcorder in 1984. The HandyCam could be held and operated entirely within the palm of the operator’s hand, made possible by the 8mm video format.

The lens, imager, and recorder are the three major components of a camcorder. The lens gathers and focuses light on the imager. The imager (usually a CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS sensor IC on modern camcorders; earlier examples often used vidicon tubes) converts incident light into an electrical (video) signal. Finally, the recorder encodes the video signal into a storable form. The optics and imager are commonly referred to as the camera section.

The recent times are witnessing a great revolution in the camcorders. The camcorders with ultra modern technology are in the market. The mainstream consumer market favors ease of use, portable cheap camcorders and discount camcorders.

There is a great number of websites offering bulks of info on camcorders, cheap camcorders and discount camcorders. There are numerous online sources offers camcorder articles & blogs, camcorder review, digital camcorder review, sony camcorder review, canon camcorder review, sharp camcorder review, kodak camcorder review etc. The guys planning to buy camcorder must go through these reviews and articles, before buying a camcorder.

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Express Yourself To The Max With Hot Myspace Layouts

August 17, 2010 — 10:40 am

Being a member of MySpace, you should not be laid back when it comes to the look of the profile. There are millions of users out there, and you should definitely try to be as different as possible. If you are not different, it is highly unlikely that anyone would want to look at any information about you. This is not something that you would want.

Thus you can begin to use the power of images through MySpace layouts to express yourself. By expressing yourself, you will make it known to others that you are looking to make new friends. You can express yourself in many ways. There would be a lot of themes that you could choose from. You can choose any good image that would speak about your interests.

There are plenty of categories to choose from, so what exactly should be stopping you? There would be a lot of creativity to the profile once you begin to choose the right layouts. MySpace layouts can be changed often, because you do not even need to be a technical expert to do this. All you have to do is copy paste a code on to your profile.

Since the process is so easy, there would be no need for you to panic about making the profile look different. Making the profile unique is also a good idea, and it is very easy to do so as well. If you have some particular interest that you are trying to showcase, then it must be done accordingly. This will speak volumes about you.

You need not even write much. You can of course look at various other profiles before customizing your own. Taking time to pick the right layout is also very important. If you express yourself the right way, then it would make sense when others begin looking at your profile. They would know instantly whether they could be friends or not.

You can use text and graphics besides plain images. This will be even more exciting, but just ensure that they load quickly on to the profile. This would be important as no one will want to wait for a long time when it comes to accessing someones profile. You can also say so many things about yourself with MySpace layouts.

A lot of mileage will be given to the profile if the MySpace layouts are used well. Choosing at random will also not help in any way. It will be about choosing the right ones so that there will be a different look and feel to the entire profile. There would be possibilities to even create the layouts of your choice. This can be done if you have some unique concept with your profile. This is also easy to do and will create a lot of buzz around the profile.

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