%def extrahead(): %end %rebase templates/compact background=background, extrahead=extrahead, title='Fit the Annual Report for Purpose', oneliner='A conversation between Ivan Monroy Lopez\'s Soap Box Annual Report and Fit for Purpose filtered by Donatella Portoghese.'

Fit  the annual report
for purpose

A software testers day in 3 acts :
10 deploys, 10 bugs and the team

Fit for purpose is a principle included in Quality Assurance.
The product should be suitable for the intended purpose.
Quality is determined by the product user.

Characters

ACT I

A day in 10 deployments

Loops

Deploy 1

Ivan '\" t
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.pc
.TH print soapbox "2009-11-28" "1.0" "print"
.SH manuals, man pages
.I according to the mmm, software has two faces, both as important. the code
.I speaks to the machine, and the documentation ``tells its story to the human
.I user.''

Andymorning qa people. I am going to start a full qa deployment in a couple of minutes i'll start with the data base backups backups started... qa environments going offline in 10 minutes starting data base restore... qa environment is offline. I will give progress updates here Data base 3/4 started. code starting Code deploy finished. Data base 4/4 , it is 30 Qa environment online. give a couple of mins for first page load. Michaelyo JohnGood morning! Andyhi guys

Deploy 2

Ivan The following is also from the fanzine I'm talking about. It's a perhaps
convoluted way of saying that there's a difference between the documents that
keep track of the changes in a piece of software over time, and the documents
that show how a piece of software is used, even if they sometimes get lumped
together. Texinfo is just another documentation format that some people seem
to prefer.

Andyokay good to go Michael@Mark: You ok for a code deploy to QA ? Markcode deploy finished. Data base 4/4 , it is 30% Claudia@micheal just a sec Colin needs to check it in Michaelok QA server coming down now and we're back Claudiagetting 500 here :( Michaelargh John?? ClaudiaIs someone doing the deploy for QA? Pls Michaelit's done, but we need John's input as for whatever reason it build but doesn't work Claudiaoh understood.... he is in this chat. ((wave)) Hi John!

Deploy 3

Ivan .I in the gnu coding standards, the terms documentation and manual practically
.I mean the same thing. specifically, a manual is a texinfo file, and
.I documentation includes manuals and other things like NEWS files and change
.I logs. in practice, the latter term practically takes the place of the former.
.I regarding unix man pages, gnu suggests that ‐if adequate help2man be used to
.I extract a man page from the texinfo file. unlike man pages, gnu manuals should
.I have a ``coherent topic''. as an example, the coding standards note that diff
.I and diff3 are both covered in a single manual, whereas there are two man
.I pages, one for each command. Andyright. sorry i got *severly* sidetracked. Okay, i'm going to start the restore of the dbases to the qa env. Means qa goes offline for 20 mins. everyone okay for that to happen now?

Deploy 4

Ivan I think that it's funny that they write implementation does not equal
documentation. I guess that sometimes it's hard to take distance Michaeli need a code deploy for a change to the import-export tool yay/nay? Andyyes, but do it fast like real fast fast like the wind Michaelok Andyyou done yet? Michaelno Andy:) Michaelbuilding oi ants in ya pants Andyyes Johnyou QA people are funny Michaeleccentricity is the way we cope with cockups which are our lifeblood Andyyou english QA ppl are funny like funny in the head

loops

Deploy 5

Johnwe have a build update to QA we would like to do Andyrightio... Johnno additional bug fixes included Andycode + dbase? Johnbut, we have updated the client side caching expiry times just code Andyokay Johnafter talking to ebm Andyi can do that Johnso, just tag build deploy please Andyrightio Michaelif you need any content copying from A to B let me know from where to where Andyi'll take that action Michaeland for which locale Johnthank you Andyqa env is up

Deploy 6

Ivan .I the people of gnu distinguish between the way in which a program was built,
.I and the way in which it's used. they warn about modelling the documentation
.I after the software: Andystarting a deployment qa env will go offline in 10 mins Michaelcode or data too Andyboth Michaelok have you started the data backup yet? I can wait till it's done and repeat after no biggie Andytill started already yom kippur or, yonder kipper, as we say to the youth of today Michaelnp Andydo you know what a yonder kipper is? Michaelno, a far-away kipper? Andyheh :) good guess Michael"what light through yonder kipper breaks" Andynice. that's quite poetic. Michaelit's from Romeo and Kippliet hmm just remembered, if I update the Integ CMS and it's being backed up, it will not break the backup, will it? so i can do my edit now... btw someone on integ was testing timed publish, and hasn't reverted it, that's why Products is showing a warning Andynah not at all go right ahead and keep editing Michaelok there were not changes required on integ for integ domains the asia fonts are not yet available on .qa domains well, not Vietnamese or Thai Andythat will be a problem for claudia to test them Michaelok the values will be in the next QA DB deploy they're fine now for QA

loops

Redeploy

JohnRedeploying the build MichaelLast night I did a deploy if that is anything to go by JohnI'm retagging the build MichaelYesterday we had 2 or 3 breakages which I got Topher to fix as they were related to shortURLs Johnmake that 4 Michaeljoy JohnI just fixed it though waiting for server to load up MichaelTopher thought he removed the shortURL functionality but evidently did not JohnThat wasn't it QA is back up Michaelyay tnx Marktnx ! JohnSorry for the breakage

Deploy 7

AndyData base backups starting qa environment offline in 10 mins qa environment going offline qa environment is up give a few mins for first page load give me a few mins Michaeloo isn't this exciting will it work, won't it work, you decide Andyall good, kids i had a typo in a database name it's up enjoy... tell your friends.

Deploy 8

Ivan .B programmers tend to carry over the structure of the program as the
.B structure for its documentation. but this structure is not necessarily
.B good for explaining how to use the program [...] learn to notice when
.B you have unthinkingly structured the documentation like the
.B implementation, stop yourself, and look for better alternatives. Andyqa environment will go offline in a few mins for a few mins Michaelany news on the env? Andyyeah sorry... a couple more minutes. I fucked up and deployed it wrong :) I have to do the actual deploy that bit again go go go qa environment is up Integral database backup started. ~10 mins till qa goes offline

Deploy 9

Andyqa environment going offline for deploy and data base restore Data base 3/4 started. code deploy starting. qa environment online in 20 mins It's for IE6 browser detection Michaeldo we need a new deploy for that? it's a CR Andyno it's all done from a qa perspective as far as i understand, all there that needs to be. sorry... I misunderstood tudor. he is importing some stuff into qa env for us to enable the browser detection to work. He is working on it now, but it's not ready. I'll notify when that's done Michaelimporting stuff... back from prodn to integ then to QA

Deploy 10

Ivan .I the coding standards advise authors to approach users pedagogically, thinking .I about ``the concepts and questions that a user will have in mind when reading .I it.'' what's more, the manuals that they write should admit two types of .I reading: tutorial and reference. it's interesting to note that by tutorial they .I mean something that a user may want to read straight through. Andywill start now with the dbase dumps so 10 minutes countdown until the QA env goes offline MarkI will have to clock off for today Andyrightio, thanks for your help today Mark much appreciated good stuff. i'll make a note of those qa env going offline qa env is up Michaelargh and Claudia is offline... Claudiaapologies, i needed to restart i dont need korea for today on 03 Michaelum, guys... QA is poitning to Integ I am changing the connnection strings now so you get the correct CMS Claudiaok Michaelit's up now, it reported an error (i.e. went to Page Not Found) very strange

ACT II

Software failure (real or perceived) – a day in 10 bugs

Description of the problem:
Usually, quality is constrained to such topics as correctness, completeness, security, but can also include more technical requirements as described under the ISO standard ISO/IEC 9126, such as capability, reliability, efficiency, portability, maintainability, compatibility, and Usability.

Walkthrough

Ivan in this essay, code is the textual aspect of computer technology that may be
loaded up on a text editor and easily changed. i'm consciously avoiding any
discussion on the subject of text editors -- jot down your edits on a piece of
paper and then write them to newfile with echo. what's important to me is that
this be easily accomplished. with enough time and energy, anyone could write
interesting code. the best project would be if my grandmother took the time to
re-write the linux kernel from scratch, and if she kept a record of her
reflections about code. as much as i like pierre menard, this is not feasible.
the processes of code should be manageable without the need of resorting to
too much external technical support. this means that code is relative. what's
code for some will not be code for others. Johngo there then click on the ribbon, and choose publish then choose change check, publishable then save the item then preview again Mark"click on the ribbon" what ribbon would that be? Johnalong the top the main menu Home, Navigate, Review, etc, etc MarkYeps, works now. I can see the extra tab.. it looks horrible though :) Something is wrong with the flash module Mark checks if we are using the right one there Johnlooks good to me Andyi'll be concerned if it's not the right one Johnclear cache the links are pointing to the right flash version just checked Andyokay, cool

Bug 1

Sources of system failure

[12:38:49]MarkActually, the bug they mention: o If completed once and then send to other friends it does not react anymore after filling in the details, there is no confirmation that it has been sent, but the emails do actually go out ñ the friend gets spammed with emails, because the user thinks it has not been send and tries several times [12:39:01]Right. Other than that the issues raised are the tell a friends functionality. The text and values are a bit messed up though:"!! Tran:Q1!! wants to share a link with you Dear friendsname," [13:24:39]Mark logs the !!Tran:Q1!! finding and will reply to the mail with found WWP issues. [13:54:50]

Bug 2

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[13:54:50]Andymark you need to add your comment to 40 as a defect [13:55:02]the comment isn't something actionable by the devs just yet [13:55:21]just copy paste that into a new defect report in that story and assign that to Lucci

Bug 3

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[13:58:53]MarkYeah I understand its not really a defect [13:59:18]Its not a new thing though, and that issue has been open for quite a while [14:00:28]will copy it to a subtask/defect [14:06:41]Andyyou think it's not or it is? [14:06:57]putting that string in the email looks off to me :) [14:19:16]MarkHehe, it looks off. [14:19:33]And it is a regression [14:20:39]The 40 issue did have an open question about the email structure [14:20:55]Andyyeah. [14:37:32]Good work, mark [14:37:35]good email [14:38:13]MarkThanks! [14:38:42]Need to look into that "creating file in one locale shows up in another" [14:38:57]Andyyeah. that's strange [14:39:18]Johnthats been corrected

Bug 4

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

Ivan when it comes down to it, this means that code is text written in one of the
computer languages. code is the active practice of altering half-understood
text files. code are the static characters that silently stare back at you,
and that will not even you give the illusion that you're double-guessing a
machine. it's always evident that someone else was there before you, and that
that person was sloppy. it's just a matter of playing along and locating those
three characters in a text file that will make all the difference on whether
your computer can display postscript or whether it will keep that as a secret
to itself. [14:39:21]Andyif that's reported from the customer i would have to see that for myself, because we dont have version problems like that with locales that i've seen [14:39:21]Johnits website settings, in their test locale, en-IL they had no Website entry in globalization settings [14:39:48]Johnwhich is where the website locale is specified [14:39:55]and when that happens, it defaults to com [14:39:55]Andygood catch [14:41:59]JohnCorrect each country has its own files [14:52:36]Andyjohn with this explanation, i'm closing out [14:52:47]mike, ignore my last email, brainfart

Bug 5

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[15:30:06]MarkBut, what is expected behaviour? Why whouldnt you be able to see files of other counties [15:36:31]Michaelwell, on the Q&A page, when you expand the answer, it "jumps" just before opening the answer completely [15:36:47]it is smoothe opening until about 90% open, then it jumps to 100% [15:37:03]observed in IE8

Bug 6

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[15:21:43]Claudiahey Micheal, do you remember that issue from yesterday from the drop down menu that had a new item? This new item is not present anymore on 03. Do you know why? [15:25:59]i see it is again pointing to obsolete [15:26:28]it did not save the changes done yesterday ? [15:27:37]Michaelremind me where the link is that is sending you to the Obsolete page? the homepage on the left side? [15:28:34]Claudiaon the big teaser/home page, the thumb 7 from the top [15:29:07]Michaelyes, but that link is correct [15:29:11]not going to Obsolete [15:30:08]where did the link to Obsolete appear from? Which item took you to that page?

Bug 7

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[15:52:44]Michaelthis isn't the last one for today given that Ada is still working on some other bugs [15:52:57]but I would like to get Estonia out of the way as it's trying to go live and our bug is holding it up somewhat [15:53:27]Andyhang on [15:53:35]let me ask if there is stuff topher can commit [15:55:28]go ahead. he's not ready to commit his work yet [15:55:43]Michael: k

Bug 8

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[16:10:38]MichaelAnyone know anything about double optin and links generated for double optin? I'd say that's a Campaign issue [16:16:15]MarkIs there a problem with the double optin? [16:16:26]Michaelbasically we just got a defect saying that the double opt-in URL is an invalid link

Bug 9

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[16:45:36]Andythat's a bug [16:45:42]file it [16:46:09]yeah... safe bet [16:47:12]Johnso it should be in the main maintenance project [16:47:14]Andyyeah really? i've seen this before [16:47:15]Johnand assigned to them [16:47:22]i think so... [16:47:30]could be wrong though [16:47:31]Andyokay... so do that. [16:47:34]assign to them [16:47:38]let them come back to us if not [16:47:45]Johnya

Bug 10

Description of the problem:
Error, defect, failure

[16:48:31]Mark@Andy, so there is a bug about this already? [16:48:40]Andyi would say not. [16:48:59]the double slashes i saw was for campaigns with flash modules [16:49:06]which could be fixed by the frontend team [16:49:09]this is not that problem [16:49:20]so thinking about it, john's right [16:49:34]Johnnah this is the domain name redirect [16:49:38]Andyyeah

ACT III

The software tasting team

Ivan my one year experience as a software writer has not been so nice, but really
you should ask someone else with more experience. i've only worked a little as
a freelancer (whatever that means) on some random websites. i've been learning
on the job (whatever that means).

QA chat

[11:27:34]Andyhey mike we've just deployed to cms-test [11:29:43]MartinLondon office! Official pictures! [11:29:54]Michaelboredom threashold exceeded? [11:30:27]Bojanhello guys im back again [11:30:30]:) [11:33:02]Andywb bojan. [11:33:18]Bojanthank you andy [11:33:55]Andyto remind everyone QA chat is strictly work only. anything not directly relevant to QA should go to the casual jibber jabber chat. [11:35:00]Bojanok packages and all are in place - can you guys do the magic and check if we can go live [11:35:01]thanks! [11:38:52]Andyi got sidetracked. dbase 4/4 started. deploy done. qa env online in 10 mins [11:47:34]qa env online. give a few mins for first page load [12:54:25]Michaelnvm caching [12:31:04]Andykids, I have to restart 03. I'm changing a configuration parameter [12:33:24]MichaelJust got Lucci to make a bunch of corrections on the gateway page values in the cms [12:34:06]updated gateway page mock is now uploaded to box [12:34:43]Andyok, good work [12:05:29]MichaelQA team meeting? [12:05:58]Andyno longer having qa team meetings until the new manager starts [12:06:20]he'll pick them up in the format that will suit him [12:06:42]Michaelk [12:06:50]is he around today? [12:06:56]1st day on the job [12:06:59]Andyi'm not in the office so i dont know [12:07:02]Michaelah ok [12:07:31]"where the team"? "at home. bunch of slackers all 5 off site" :P [12:08:13]how's the tummy Andy? [12:08:18]Andymuch like the linux kernel dev team [12:08:21]bad today [12:08:25]Michaeldon't get me started [12:08:49]apparently there are some motherboards that are incompatible with ubuntu :( [12:09:14]AndyHow did you find that out? [12:09:44]Michaela friend who is a Linux user (and not one of the less helpful ones) mentioned it [12:10:07]next question is finding out what MotherBoard I have [12:10:15]asus something [12:10:23]Andycrack the box open and get a torch [12:10:34]MichaelA7N8X was the old one. not sure the current version I have [12:10:38]yeah [12:10:52]torch it shall be [12:11:05]but not now the office is keeping it out of the line of sight [12:11:26]otherwise it sits there glaring at me and reminding me of an oversized doorstop ;) [12:12:18]Andyhonestly, i'd just try another distro if i was you. [12:14:18]Michaelkernel panic <<< bojan has left >>> Ivan there are probably other ways of saying it, but it's also fine to say that
i've been bored.  i don't know why. there have been projects i'm not ashamed
of, but most of the time it hasn't been like that. i wish i could say i was
young i needed the money but i'm not even that young anymore. health insurance
and that type of stuff is a work of fiction. my life is only as long as my
computer's life. [12:30:18]MichaelWas it something I said? [12:31:01]or didn't say [12:31:04]Andyheh :) bojan's a too-much-information-a-phobe [12:31:09]Michaelhe doesn't want soft skin [12:31:12]being gritty and only on a need-to-know basis keeps him sharp [12:31:30]has anyone noticed that he doesn't (always) use THE or A [articles] in sentences [12:31:45](it's common in Slavic langs to do that) [12:31:53]I found it funny in my last co that our ex-Yugoslavs used to say "vee hev problem" [12:32:19]Andyrussians especially

the non working chat

Ivan it's depressing to see that some cliches are true. the offices of lab rats
typing looking for the key of the cookie, waiting to be rewarded with a
cookie, and kept awake with coffee. i could have passed out in front of the
computer and no one would have noticed. the feeling that no one knows what
they're doing. the obscure files that you can find inside of some computers.
what i would do is open them for as long as i'd stand it, close my eyes, press
some random keys, close them and try to forget about it. there's determinacy
in software insofar as you can work like this and nothing breaks. [13:03:36]Andytoo much non work chat in the work chats tends to piss a few ppl off, so we made this chat for jibberish banter [13:03:52]Danieloh, ok - have i spoke too much? [13:03:57]Andynah :) [13:04:06]but bojan is pulling faces [13:04:26]meaning his threshold for jibberish has been reached and any more he'll start to flip out [13:05:00]Danielkk - haha ive only chipped in a couple of replies :( [13:05:17]Andydont worry about it :) [13:05:25]MichaelI think it's coz Bojan's pc is giving him stick so he might have a sense of humur failure [13:05:48]Andyinteresting theory. i let you raise that with him to see if thats the case :) [13:06:17]while i'm at it... i'll add sandy [13:06:28]*** Andy added Sandy *** [13:06:31]hi sandy [13:06:39]this is the new non work chat chat [13:06:39]Michaelwelcome sandy [13:06:51]Andyfeel free to rabbit on as much as you want here [13:06:52]Michaelsandy's full of beans and appreciates obscurity [13:07:15]Sandyfull of beans? [13:07:21]Michaelenergy [13:07:25]Andyalso feel free to add anyone you think would like to be in the non work chat [13:07:41]Michaeldon't you mean all except Bojan? [13:08:05]Andywell half the team come to mind as non members [13:12:22]Martinbrains... [13:12:26]Sandydid we get told off for chitchatting? [13:12:53]Martinsoory. think i had a zombie flashback for a moment there [13:13:46]Michaelvegetarian zombies eat g r a i n s [13:13:51]MarkWelcome Sandy! [13:13:58]Martinre: CAKE at 4pm. // can someone email me a slice? ta! [13:14:34]Sandyis this chat the quarantine? [13:14:46]aka, shut up in the other chats, Sandy? [13:14:54]Daniel:D [13:15:19]Sandywe should change the name to The Peanut Gallery [13:17:56]Andy@ sandy - not told off, but i've had talks with unnamed ppl about keeping non work chatter to a minimum (or totally off) work chats because it interferes with ppls ability to make skype useful [13:18:08]Andyalan isn't back yet is he? [13:18:20]Michaelno names mentioned, eh andy? [13:18:21]Sandynoted [13:18:25]no[13:18:35]Andyi'll add him when he is cause he's a jibber jabberer [13:18:36]Michael"random fact guy" [13:18:56]he'd be great in a pub quiz [13:19:11]Sandynon work chatter keeps my brain active [13:19:13]i object [13:19:23]Andynoted [13:19:41]Michaelyou object to what? [13:19:50]Sandyto keeping work chatter to a minimum [13:20:05]Andyheh... you're giving that cat a workout today [13:20:17]Sandydiscussing whether to spread cheeze whiz left to right as opposed to right to left helps my creative problemsolving skills [13:20:25]MichaelI still haven't worked out the cat thing. I am doign a Steve Jobs (I must be doing it wrong) [13:20:43]Sandyi'm grumbling [13:20:49]Andyyou need to have it in your icon list [13:20:59]Sandywrong [13:21:07]Andyi'm never wrong [13:21:11]that's why i'm in qa [13:28:59]mrbreaker76: never wrong? [13:29:22]note to all - do not follow andy around when he thinks he knows where he is going [13:32:24]Sandythis feels like detention [13:41:43]Claudiahey Mike, on my turn, I haven't figured out the Steve Jobs thing [13:42:46]Sandyneither has Mike [13:42:48]HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA [13:43:05]Andy@ rak - i got us there in the end [13:43:23]i took you the scenic route [13:44:43]Claudiatours are always a plus [13:54:42]*** mrbeeansr76 has left *** [13:56:58]Andyhaha :) [13:57:18]i guess he didnt like the non work chat [13:57:26]very serious guy that raj [14:12:08]MarkMark has left [14:12:14]Mark((bandit)) [14:13:41]AndyAndy has existentially left his body but remains in this chat [14:20:54]Danieli dont want to get told off so im just observing :) [14:20:55]Claudiahey martin ! you are missing cakes while in england! [14:21:19]Sandymmmmm.... raspberry brownies.... [14:24:03]Andyjabber away in this chat, dan. you get prizes at the end of the day if you can keep posting here non stop [14:24:22]SandyAndy will give you the 5 cents he got for listening to Adele [14:24:32]AndyNOT! [14:24:33]Daniel:) [14:25:00]Martinraspberry brownies? what colour is a raspberry brownie? [14:25:08]Danielmaroon [14:25:41]Sandyit's not quite as red as a Red Velvet cupcake [14:26:11]MartinI've asked you not to call me that in public [14:26:31]Sandyawww [14:27:52]Claudiawhat is it from? [14:28:06]Martinkittens [14:28:11]Daniel:O [14:28:54]Sandyew [14:35:21]Michaelsfw = ? [14:35:29]yoda's description of single white female[14:36:18]Andyohhhh mike... [14:36:41]Sandytfw [14:36:46]Andywe need to get you to a beginners web geek course [14:36:50]Sandyyoda's version for i don't understand [14:37:15]AndyNSFW is important to know [14:37:38]SandyA pissed off person's compass? [14:40:41]Andyheh... no, but very inventive of you [15:00:04]Michaelhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8248056.stm [15:00:12]an old one but still a good one [15:00:35](same issue here because it's ADSL not SDSL but hey, we like a good yarn) [15:01:45]Martinha! 'Telkom said it was not responsible for the firm's slow internet speeds.' [15:01:56]that's what i like. flat denial[15:02:06]Andythat's hilarious [15:02:30]Martinworks for me. did u check this? no. [15:03:03]AndyThey included "no cats allowed" and "birdseed must not have any performance- enhancing seeds within". [15:03:44]ClaudiaClaudia will use the expression 'flat denial' more often. Love it! [15:05:03]Andythis is a tactic i have used to great effect in my working career. In the face of overwhelming evidence, flat deny everything, and make loud counter accusations at being framed. [15:05:22]Martingoes well with a dead eye stare, i find. And a slightly curlled lip.... can u tell i have teenagers at home? [15:05:46]Andyheh :) i would have said experience managing qa groups [15:08:07]goddamn right i am! Ivan i wish i could live in a mountain and contemplate my mark-up.  i wish it was,
but it can't be and it isn't only about the code. if it was only about the
code, i wouldn't need to go out of my room. i don't know what it's about, and i
don't know what i'm talking about. this is the point where i start to have
problems finishing my sentences. likewise, this type of media work is complete
nonsense. it's absurd that i can't find a job, and that i can't hold on to the
jobs that i hate.

after one year of writing software, it's good to go back to the first things i
wrote. maybe there is something of crawling into my bed and pulling up the
covers about it. probably not. i'm just happy. it was great to have imagined
an introductory perl manual where the examples and exercises deal with
generative groff mark-up.