First let me start by saying that my husband designs websites and my son is developing video games so in my house I’m called the “Bug Lady”. When I’m home and not designing jewelry, I’m the one they call on to test their products to find the defects…failures…the bugs! Interestingly that’s what they really want…they actually dare me to find bugs! Strange isn’t it, but truth be known, software testing in its Beta form, is the process of executing a program or application with the “intent” of finding software bugs. You want users to provide feedback on those nasty little bugs.
Typically prior to Beta testing there are rounds of Alpha Testing for system functionality, but Beta testing is actually the last phase of testing a site and it normally involves sending the product out for real world activity. This phase of user testing is critical. This is where improvements and current functionality can be modified for the user. This is also a great opportunity to suggest add-ons, but I am always reminded that it may take extra time to address these items as code must be written and/or reconfigured to make these changes work properly.
Needless to say, I’m always giving feedback usually in a constructive manner because I realize that folks that deal with computer programming live and breathe their craft just like I do when I’m designing a piece of jewelry. The last thing I want to do is insult them. They can spend countless hours, (sometimes forgetting to eat or sleep), and take in a huge amount of caffeine to perfect their art. They can spend hours, sometime days looking for just the right way to make navigating through a program, application or site easier for us, the user. They too are no different than sculptors or painters. They are perfectionist and artists in their own right.
Typically prior to Beta testing there are rounds of Alpha Testing for system functionality, but Beta testing is actually the last phase of testing a site and it normally involves sending the product out for real world activity. This phase of user testing is critical. This is where improvements and current functionality can be modified for the user. This is also a great opportunity to suggest add-ons, but I am always reminded that it may take extra time to address these items as code must be written and/or reconfigured to make these changes work properly.
Needless to say, I’m always giving feedback usually in a constructive manner because I realize that folks that deal with computer programming live and breathe their craft just like I do when I’m designing a piece of jewelry. The last thing I want to do is insult them. They can spend countless hours, (sometimes forgetting to eat or sleep), and take in a huge amount of caffeine to perfect their art. They can spend hours, sometime days looking for just the right way to make navigating through a program, application or site easier for us, the user. They too are no different than sculptors or painters. They are perfectionist and artists in their own right.
So the next time you are at a site and it invites you to join in their Beta testing, give it a try. You may find yourself being the next "bug lady". As with all things, not all bugs are bad ones. Who knows you may find one that will turn into a brilliant butterfly. - CT
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2 comments:
I love Beta testing. When it's offered, I always jump on it. It's fun for me to see all the new gadgets that are included!
Oh yes...my favorite part too!
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