It's Hard
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
This has always been a problem...
I find that testers don't test even when they are paid by the company to do so and it's in their interest to test the software because their jobs rely on the success of the product. Ah. Hmmm. Maybe I just figured something out. ;) Marc
Well then, you can imagine my frustration with volunteer testers...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997 -
When you're deploying even a simple application, you have a LOT of things to do: 0) Write the code 1) Release the code 2) Fix bugs reported by beta testers/users 3) Build a COMPLETE web site 4) Come up with an installer My problem - none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything* (I don't even know if they're testing it or not). Since the software is free, there's no reward of any kind (like a free copy of the software) for providing feedback. How do I prod testers into doing what they signed up to do? This has always been a problem...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything*
John. I just tested and sent you an e-mail with my findings. John, I have SWMBO lists as well. Nights and weekends are my best times for "creative" thinking.
Just along for the ride. "the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) -
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything*
John. I just tested and sent you an e-mail with my findings. John, I have SWMBO lists as well. Nights and weekends are my best times for "creative" thinking.
Just along for the ride. "the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011)Yeah, I got the email, and responded. (You really don't need to let me know here that you sent me an email. :) )
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997 -
Yeah, I got the email, and responded. (You really don't need to let me know here that you sent me an email. :) )
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997John, I just sent you an email to tell you to read my fax telling you to call me.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
This has always been a problem...
I find that testers don't test even when they are paid by the company to do so and it's in their interest to test the software because their jobs rely on the success of the product. Ah. Hmmm. Maybe I just figured something out. ;) Marc
-
When you're deploying even a simple application, you have a LOT of things to do: 0) Write the code 1) Release the code 2) Fix bugs reported by beta testers/users 3) Build a COMPLETE web site 4) Come up with an installer My problem - none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything* (I don't even know if they're testing it or not). Since the software is free, there's no reward of any kind (like a free copy of the software) for providing feedback. How do I prod testers into doing what they signed up to do? This has always been a problem...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997This is just a thought, but maybe it would be possible to register certain users as testers, and then when they're using the site, record logs of everything they do. I would say that, being Mr "If it moves, automate it".
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When you're deploying even a simple application, you have a LOT of things to do: 0) Write the code 1) Release the code 2) Fix bugs reported by beta testers/users 3) Build a COMPLETE web site 4) Come up with an installer My problem - none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything* (I don't even know if they're testing it or not). Since the software is free, there's no reward of any kind (like a free copy of the software) for providing feedback. How do I prod testers into doing what they signed up to do? This has always been a problem...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997My users at work are also a bit lethargic and don't report very much. Add a small webservice to your website and let your program call home with the exception message, stack trace and local parameters whenever something goes wrong. This way you should at least get hold of the worst bugs and if something goes wrong in the UI, someone hopefully will eventually report that as well.
And from the clouds a mighty voice spoke:
"Smile and be happy, for it could come worse!"And I smiled and was happy
And it came worse. -
John, I just sent you an email to tell you to read my fax telling you to call me.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
:sigh:
Just along for the ride. "the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) -
When you're deploying even a simple application, you have a LOT of things to do: 0) Write the code 1) Release the code 2) Fix bugs reported by beta testers/users 3) Build a COMPLETE web site 4) Come up with an installer My problem - none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything* (I don't even know if they're testing it or not). Since the software is free, there's no reward of any kind (like a free copy of the software) for providing feedback. How do I prod testers into doing what they signed up to do? This has always been a problem...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
Build a COMPLETE web site
No it isn't, you don't offer any reward; where are the reputation system, its points, colors, stats and graphs? No wonder people aren't participating... :)
Luc Pattyn [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum iSad
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When you're deploying even a simple application, you have a LOT of things to do: 0) Write the code 1) Release the code 2) Fix bugs reported by beta testers/users 3) Build a COMPLETE web site 4) Come up with an installer My problem - none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything* (I don't even know if they're testing it or not). Since the software is free, there's no reward of any kind (like a free copy of the software) for providing feedback. How do I prod testers into doing what they signed up to do? This has always been a problem...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997 -
When you're deploying even a simple application, you have a LOT of things to do: 0) Write the code 1) Release the code 2) Fix bugs reported by beta testers/users 3) Build a COMPLETE web site 4) Come up with an installer My problem - none of the gun forum beta testers have reported *anything* (I don't even know if they're testing it or not). Since the software is free, there's no reward of any kind (like a free copy of the software) for providing feedback. How do I prod testers into doing what they signed up to do? This has always been a problem...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997Well, if it is alpha or beta you should time limit it, so you know it won't get out in the wild untested. If you make the time limits short, then you can ask for feedback on expiry (especially if there's an update) - at least you know they'r using it (or at least still interested) if they ask for an update. Also putting in deliberate 'problems' is an option to at least see that people are running it - even just a spelling mistake or two, permanently disabled button, that sort of thing. And incentive? their name in the credits if they spot a legitimate issue.
MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
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This is just a thought, but maybe it would be possible to register certain users as testers, and then when they're using the site, record logs of everything they do. I would say that, being Mr "If it moves, automate it".
Rob Lyndon wrote:
but maybe it would be possible to register certain users as testers,
I think John didn't give "all of us testers" enough time to test and then to e-mail him back.
Just along for the ride. "the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) -
:sigh:
Just along for the ride. "the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011)He's just pokin at ya... :)
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
