Testing in DarkAges!

Customer is kid!

Last week I attended a three day training on ITIL v3 foundation. The objective was to understand what Service Management is. We had a great trainer in Perry, who knew his stuff well and also knew how to teach grown ups.

The first thing the old man mentioned was that there were some children in the class. When we looked at each other, he added that he would like to see more children in the class and that whether we could bring out the child within. Anyways, the point was, it is easier to teach kids as they do not bring biases, pre-formed views and arguments in the class. I agree with him that there is a child in all of us. (I honestly do not mean that we all are pregnant! heh! Just kidding!)

While we were discussing all this, a thought was running into my mind. Is customer King or Kid?

As customers, we show tantrums, we ask many questions, sometime silly ones too; sometimes we look at things blankly, we have expectations & dmands and we want attention. Isn't it? Isn't this the same behavior kids show? As vendors, we listen to customers' demands. We are supposed to listen to them to keep them happy. Isn't it the same behavior we display with kids and vice versa?

BTW, I honestly believe that kids are kings because you tend to obey what they demand. And then, when they become nasty, we get upset and try to resolve the situation either by talking to them or by getting angry on them. Hah! That's one thing you may not want to do with the customer. However, I am somewhat convinced that the customer is kid!

Flowers

I took this picture in Sea World. We were waiting for the ride Atlantis and this bunch was right next to me. I did not miss the opportunity clicking them.

Testing existed in Dark Ages too!

Heh! Just today someone asked me why I named my blog 'Testing in Dark Ages", while there was no testing existed in the dark ages. I think she is wrong. Testing was always there, even when humans were not eveolved and were either in the form of a fish or evolved as an ape. (well, if you do not agree with the ape theory, I can't help it. I cannot convince anyone on this topic.).

You may ask me how we tested as a fish or as an ape. It's simple, testing is a form of observation. Or, in other words, we can say that testing is observing. As humans, we observe things using our five senses and indirectly by using our brains. As a software tester, we use mathematical calculations, testing theories, matrices and various methods to test a program or to observe whether that program is working fine or not. We also use automation tools and write scripts to make sure our observations are correct. So, while in dark ages, they might have used their senses for observing things. And this observation was testing. This is what that convinced me that testing was always there, even in dark ages...that's why my blog is called "Testing in Dark Ages".

Last, but not the least, I believe man started using tools in stone age, possibly that was the time he became a developer. :)

Story: Optimum utilization of resources

One of my friends shared this story with me. I think consumerism has gone to a state where we don't think before spending.

Buddha: OK…Tell me how I can help you?

Disciple: Master, My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. Can I get a new one please?

Buddha found the robe indeed was in a bad condition which needed replacement. He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new robe to wear on. The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room. Though he met his disciple’s requirement, Buddha was not all that contended on his decision. He realized he missed out some point. A while after, he realized, what he should have asked the disciple? He went to his disciple’s place and asked him "Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more?"

Disciple: Thank you my Master. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more.

Buddha: Having got the new one, what did you do with your old attire?

Disciple: I am using it as my bedspread.

Buddha: Then…hope you have disposed off your bed spread.

Disciple: No…no…Master. I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain.

Buddha: What about your old curtain?

Disciple: Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen.

Buddha: Oh…I see…Can you tell me what they did with the old cloth they used in Kitchen?

Disciple: They are being used to wash the floor.

Buddha: Then, the old rug being used to wash the floor…????

Disciple: Master, since they were torn off so much, we could not find any better use, but to use as a twig in the oil lamp, which is right now lit in your study room….

Buddha smiled in contentment and left for his room.

ATQ Certification and brains

I was looking at Joe's blog and after much consideration and courage gathering, I decided to take it up.

http://www.sqablogs.com/jstrazzere/1685/Become+an+ATQ+Certified+Software+Tester.html

I passed his tough certification exam with 38 correct answers out of 40. I sent Joe an email providing my score and telling him that it proved I had brains. This made me remember an incident I would like to share.

Couple of years back, I started having bad, bad throbbing headaches which were intolerable to me. One day, I had to rush to emergency and needed to get an MRI of brain and spine done.

The neurologist, who I was consulting, looked at the MRI reports and said, "This is related to you spine. Because of bad posture, spine has developed some problem and is sending pain signals to your brain."

I asked, "Is everything okay with the brain?"

The neurologist said sincerely,"Yes. And the report confirms that you do have a brain."

And Joe's ATQ certification proved once again I have one. :)