#user acceptance testing software

[kh11123]

Agile Advisor: The UAE's Reliable Software Testing Consultancy for Improving Quality Assurance

Ensuring the operation and quality of your applications is crucial in the fast-paced world of software development. Agile Advisor, a top software testing consultancy in the United Arab Emirates, can help. With a firm grasp of industry standards and a dedication to quality, Agile Advisor is committed to providing organizations with comprehensive testing solutions that help them meet their quality assurance objectives. Agile Advisor is a standout option for businesses looking for excellent software testing services. We have a group of skilled experts specializing in various testing approaches, such as functional and manual testing. Our strategy is customized to each client's exact requirements, guaranteeing that your product satisfies requirements and surpasses user expectations. Agile Advisor, a well-known software testing firm in the United Arab Emirates, is dedicated to providing unmatched testing services that complement your company's goals. Our functional and manual testing proficiency enables us to provide customized solutions that improve performance and quality.

An essential part of the software development lifecycle is still manual testing. Our knowledgeable testers at Agile Advisor carefully examine your apps to find any possible problems that automated testing might overlook. Our manual testing services are Exploratory Testing: To guarantee a flawless user experience, our testers investigate the program to find usability problems. Usability testing: We evaluate your software's usability and offer suggestions to improve user satisfaction. Regression testing: We ensure that current features continue functioning flawlessly as upgrades and modifications are made. Agile Advisor ensures comprehensive coverage and subtle insights that lead to a refined final product by prioritizing manual testing. The quality of your software can make or break your company in today's cutthroat market. Software with adequate testing can result in good user experiences, lost profits, and tarnished reputations. You are investing in the dependability and success of your apps by working with Agile Advisor.

Functional testing is essential to ensure that your program operates as intended. We use various methods in our functional testing services to ensure every feature works as it should. Unit testing is among the functional tests conducted by the Agile Advisor, which establishes the foundation for quality assurance by testing individual components to ensure appropriate operation. Integration Testing: To guarantee smooth communication and integration, our staff looks at how different parts of your application work together. System testing: We verify that the integrated software system satisfies the criteria. Our thorough functional testing procedure reduces the risks connected with software deployment and detects flaws early. Our testing services support Boost Performance: Ensure your program functions well in various scenarios. Cut Expenses: To avoid expensive post-release fixes, find and address problems early in development. Increase User Contentment: Provide a well-designed product that satisfies users' requirements and expectations. To learn more about our all-inclusive testing solutions and how we can assist you in reaching your objectives, get in touch with Agile Advisor right now. Allow us to collaborate with you to develop outstanding software that makes a difference in the marketplace.

[nitor-infotech]

How to leverage the UAT environment for Software Development? 

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a crucial phase in software development where the system's functionality is verified by end-users before it's released.

To leverage the UAT environment effectively, consider the following steps: 

Clear Objectives: Clearly define the objectives of the UAT phase. Understand what you want to achieve, what functionalities you want to test, and what success criteria you have in mind. 

Test Plan: Develop a comprehensive UAT test plan. It should include test cases, expected results, and test data. Collaborate with end-users and stakeholders to create this plan. 

Selection of Testers: Choose testers who represent the end-users well. Ensure that they are familiar with the application's purpose and can provide meaningful feedback. 

Realistic Test Data: Use real or realistic test data whenever possible. This helps in simulating real-world scenarios and identifies potential issues more effectively. 

Test Environment: Set up a dedicated UAT environment that mirrors the production environment as closely as possible. This includes hardware, software, and data. 

Test Environment Isolation: Ensure that the UAT environment is isolated from the development and production environments to prevent accidental data leaks or changes. 

Training and Support: Provide training to UAT testers on how to perform testing and use testing tools. Offer support to address any questions or issues during the testing phase. 

Feedback Mechanism: Establish a clear and efficient feedback mechanism for testers to report issues, provide feedback, and suggest improvements. This could be through a dedicated platform or regular meetings. 

Regression Testing: Conduct regression testing to ensure that changes made to address issues identified during UAT do not introduce new problems. 

Documentation: Document all UAT activities, including test cases, issues identified, and resolutions. This documentation is useful for tracking progress and future reference. 

Collaboration with Developers: Foster collaboration between the UAT team and developers. Encourage open communication to address issues and clarify requirements. 

Realistic Scenarios: Test the software under realistic user scenarios. Ensure that testers mimic how real users would interact with the application. 

User Stories and Personas: Create user stories and personas that represent your target audience. This helps testers think from the perspective of the end-users. 

Multiple Rounds of Testing: If necessary, conduct multiple rounds of UAT to address issues and improvements iteratively. Each round can focus on different aspects of the software. 

Exit Criteria: Define clear exit criteria that indicate when UAT is complete. This could be based on a certain percentage of test cases passed, or other agreed-upon metrics. 

Approval Process: Ensure there is a clear process for approving the software for production use once UAT is successfully completed. This typically involves stakeholders and end-users. 

Communication: Keep stakeholders informed about the progress of UAT. Transparency and timely communication are essential. 

Lessons Learned: After UAT, hold a debriefing session to discuss what went well and what could be improved in the UAT process for future projects. 

Leverage the UAT environment to identify and address issues before the software is deployed in the production environment, ultimately improving the quality and user satisfaction of your software. 

[techav]

On Major Milestones

I left off previously with init immediately crashing when trying to run NetBSD on Wrap030, my 68030 homebrew computer. I was completely lost and didn't know where to start looking. The error code it gave, 11, didn't tell me much.

Until now, most error codes I've gotten have been defined in kernel errno.h, which has 11 defined as:

EDEADLK 11 /* Resource deadlock avoided */

That … also isn't helpful. I'm still not entirely sure what that means, but since this is process 1 we're dealing with, I didn't think it was relevant.

Finally, I was able to find someone who had encountered the same error six years ago. Helpful soul [Martin] explained the exact cause of the error, how to fix it, and why the kernel errno didn't line up:

I'm running a NetBSD live disk on a laptop as a test host, so I mounted my disk on it and spent some time with mknod adding the essential device nodes, referencing the "majors" file for my arch. Sure enough, on next boot it skipped right past the point it had been panicking. It worked for a bit then finally printed on the console:

Enter pathname o

Enter pathname of what? The machine appeared frozen. Nothing further printed, and it responded to no input.

I was afraid this would happen. That string is 16 characters. The 16C55x UART chips I'm using have a 16-byte buffer. The system is hung up waiting for the UART to interrupt to indicate it has finished transmitting everything in its buffer.

There's just one problem — I don't have any serial interrupts wired.

I have a confession to make. Until a few weeks ago when I got my timer working, I hadn't really worked with hardware interrupts before. So between a limited understanding of how to use them effectively and limited board space, I had omitted the interrupt signals from my 8-port serial card. This was now a Problem, and I was going to have to find a solution.

I had a few options:

Force the com driver to 8250 mode so it doesn't try to use the buffers

Use my timer interrupt to check status bits on the UARTs and fake the interrupts

Deadbug an interrupt handler onto my serial card

Respin the serial card

Option 4 would've been expensive and risked passing my deadline. I wasn't sure option 1 would even help. And option 3 would have been difficult and error-prone. I decided option 2 would be the way to go so I set about researching how to accomplish it

I spent a few hours digging through the com driver. In the process I found softintr(9), a native NetBSD software interrupt process that looked like just the thing I needed. Digging in a little deeper, I realized that the com driver was already using softintr. And then I realized all it needed to do polled mode serial ports instead of interrupt-driven was to set a single variable, sc_poll_ticks, before initializing the driver. It's such a simple thing, but it's not really documented anywhere I could find, so the only way to know it was even an option was to spend hours studying the code.

With that in place, I recompiled my kernel and tried again.

It was asking for a shell. This is promising. I accepted the default shell, /bin/sh, and waited a moment. It printed a single #.

I had a shell prompt.

I typed in the first thing that came to mind, echo "hellorld" (thanks, [Usagi]). It responded:

hellorld

and printed another # prompt.

I had a working shell.

This is a major milestone. I have a modern operating system kernel loaded and running on my homebrew computer, and I have a functional root shell. I can navigate disk directories and run commands and programs.

But only as root, and only on this one console. I have seven other serial ports I want terminals on, and I certainly don't want them all running as root.

What it's running here is single-user mode. It is just the kernel and a few core services, somewhat analogous to Safe Mode in Windows. It's a fall-back for setting up or repairing a system. It's not quite the full operating system just yet.

Getting the rest of the operating system up and running is going to be a significant task, on par with getting just the kernel running. Setting up a working Unix system from scratch is not easy. It requires a lot of detailed knowledge of the various programs and libraries and config files scattered across the disk. For a sense of scale, the AT&T Unix System V manual was over 1100 pages, plus an 800 page programmer's guide and a handful of other manuals … and that was 40 years ago. That's a lot of specialized knowledge that I don't really have.

But still, this is something I've wanted to do for years and after countless hours of work, I finally have a glimpse of what it can look like. I have a lot to learn and a lot of work to do yet, but I'm certain I can figure it out.

I'm still hoping I can get this running multi-user on all those terminals in time for VCF Southwest in June. The show is just a few weeks away and I have a lot of work to do.

[cuprohastes]

GIMP

Ironically the most replies I ever had on Imgur.

OK look here's the skinny on why I don't like GIMP: A long discussion with screenshots

To start with, there's two classes of users:

A: People who never use art apps, don't make art, and maybe tweak a couple of photos for colour balance every couple of years: They love GIMP. They hardly use it or never use it but it's FREE and OPEN SOURCE and they heard Adobe was BAD SOMEHOW because they CHARGE MONEY. They love GIMP. They will die on that hill. GIMP is the best. One day they may even use it.

B: People who are enthusiasts and professionals who actually want to make something and have graphics tablets, strong opinions on CMYK and whether Kyle Webster is over-rated or not. And they don't use GIMP because they tried it and it doesn't do the job.

To go for a comic analogy It's like bystanders telling EMTs their technique is wrong because they saw this Spongebob episode where he used bandaid.

Anyway: Who the hell amI? I feel like I should establish some Bona Fides: not just some random shouty dude. I started out with MS Paint in 1989, then Deluxe Paint Enhanced for PC. I started doing Desktop Publishing with CorelDraw and some non WYSIWYG layout engines. Spent a miserable few years with Quark, moved on to Photoshop... 3 I think. Jettisoned that after it got too bloated (It has a 3D print system inside it!!) In amongst I've tried GIMP, Krita, Clip Studio (Now and back when it was Manga Studio and really didn't want you to use colour), ProCreate, Adobe Fresco, ArtRage, Kai's powertools, 3D Studio (Back before it was Max), Maya, Blender, Inkscape, Serif Studios, Art Studio Pro... I was a graphic designer for several companies, self employed, and worked for Anthrocon doing colour on their badges for around 15 years, as well as creating designs for thier printed work and occasionally keycards, and t-shirts, and designs for badges when they didn't have any art from a GoH. To put it simply I'm not an Adobe Fanboy screeching about people using non-Adobe software. I've seen people who wanted to move to digital give up after buying hundreds of dollars of hardware because they got told GIMP was TEH GOODEST. Anyway...

But every time someone wants to get into art to paint the picture they have inside them, or do some fanart or mess with graphics design, group A crawl out from their bog of incompetence and demand that people use GIMP. Not just suggest it, but actively shout down group B, the people who have experience.

Because Group A would rather push their dogma that paid software is always the wrong solution, than accept that GIMP's frankly shit.

It's just hit version 3.0 after only 30 years. Go team.

Points to note: If you need support for GIMP, the answer is always "Runs OK for me LOL" or "I don't use it but all your problems are because you used Photoshop once." or the good old "Switch to Linux."

In the interest of fairness I'm going to install this new amazing version of GIMP and see if it's any better.

Infamously, the software is so awful that almost all images on Google that you find are pictures of people re-creating the GIMP Logo in GIMP to prove that it is on a par with MS Paint. And it's not a good logo.

First boot:

OK so it opens up a giant panel that tells me I installed GIMP. Presumably a warning. You can't access the actual app unless you've first navigated the splash screen. The app assumes your'e still on an 800x600 monitor. Nice. I suspect the splash screen was supposed to laod over the top of GIMP because... uh... ANYWAY.

Select create Select Make a new image Select a size... hit OK and voila.

Just as a note: Other apps do this in a single panel, or just open the app and let you hit File > new > Select size and bit depth & colour space... which GIMP also skipped.

OK so I'm using a mouse. so let's do a test line then find and turn on the stroke smoothing. Wow!

... This is worthless! Looks like the smoothing amount doens't do anyting, you have to tweak the other option on a scale of 0 to 1000.

For those of you playing at home: That makes no sense, because everything else is 0-100.

Also brave choice to make sure that when you pull up the settings they replace the brush palette... on the opposite side of the screen, and give you no way to switch back.

The setting which are incidentally locked, making them... double worthless.

Fun trivia! If you mis click at the bottom of the brush palette, on the left, it just deletes your tool preset! Genius. Sticking a button for a process you'd almost never do, next to the Undo/redo icons. Chef's kiss. Perfect UI design.

I hear they're making a car. The 'explode fuel tank' button is next to the switch that turns the headlights on. You may ask why they have an 'explode fuel tank' button. Yes. You may ask.

Now having created a text label, I somehow am not allowed to draw outside the text label. This is not normal.

There is no Unselect option at all in the selection menu. Escape does't do it. Hitting option/alt pops up a messages saying there's no selection to remove:

... despite there being a selection to remove.

GIMP's infamously mazelike right click menu that copies the taskbar menu is still around:

Why have one set of menus when you can have two of every menu?

Not pictured: The giant tooltip that pops up and covers the thing you're trying to click on. Seriously, I couldn't get a screenshot of it.

Back to drawing...

Apparently the solution is to create a new layer. One text object is still text, the other randomly rasterised itself and locked the selections to it's own boundary box. That is sub-optional or "entirely stupid, who wrote this garbage?" if you're being formal.

These guys. That's who.

Still got a maze of options including 'Y not use PYTHON to make a pic‽"

At this point I notice that the vibrant red I pick in the colour picker is showing as desaturated orange in the screenshots. Which is weird because it's supposed to be 8 bit sRGB, aka the basics. But somehow this has been fucked up - GIMP: "Colour accuracy? But Why?"

Let's try an export. a mere four or five clicks later...

... where the hell is it? Let me try that again...

OK. Uh. Great. A third visibly different shade of red to the one I drew with.

At this point, I'm done. I could learn to use the tools easily. I could dig through the manual and look for whatever ass backward UI decision lets you resolve it's inherent flaws like rasterising text at random...

... but if I tell it to use 100% red and it insists on using some buggy kludged system that outputs it to a different shade, then why bother? Nothing you do will come out looking the way you intended.

Meanwhile Clip Studio's over here doing 100% of everything you need for amateur or enthusiast or even pro level art (I created one of Anthrocon's T-shirts in Clip Studio), and it'll run on a tablet and let you draw on $400 of hardware or a desktop and a graphics tablet.

And if by some goddamn chance you got all the way through this, send me a boop in the notes!

[pawborough]

Below the cut is our extensive FAQ! If you have a question, check here first!

How long has PawBorough been in development?

PawBorough has been in development since the summer of 2021.

When will PawBorough be playable?

PawBorough will enter closed Beta for Kickstarter backers in late 2024. Open Beta will proceed to allow entry of non-backer users afterwards. Our current timeline projects an extended period of open Beta for new users to join in late 2024 or early 2025, depending on how many features need tweaking and to what extent. We currently estimate full launch in 2025.

Will PawBorough be free to play? Yes. PawBorough will have premium features, but will not be “pay to play.” 

Where do I download PawBorough?

PawBorough is a browser game with no need for download. However, we are working on an application for mobile devices which will be available to download in the future. There is not currently a timeline for this development. 

Will PawBorough be mobile friendly?

Yes. We are dedicated to mobile usability. Our development of an application is intended to enhance the mobile experience. 

Will you have a suggestions page?

Once we have the game refined and populated, we will be opening a forum for suggestions to improve the user experience. 

Is PawBorough accepting artist applications?

Currently PawBorough is accepting artist applications. If you would like to work as a visual artist on The PawBorough Team, please send your resume and portfolio to pawboroughgame@gmail.com. 

Is PawBorough accepting developer applications?

PawBorough is not in need of developers at this time. 

Can I volunteer for PawBorough work?

For the majority of work, we do not accept volunteer applications. We periodically open volunteer applications for early feature testing. For notifications on when these applications open, keep up with our Kickstarter updates!

What timezone will PawBorough be in? 

PawBorough will function in EST/ET! 

How can I reach out directly to the team?

Please email us at pawboroughgame@gmail.com. All other methods to contact us may not reach us. 

Will you keep the official Discord open after the full launch of PawBorough?

No. After PawBorough launches officially, we will be shutting down our Discord. It is not in our best interest to rely on third party software for communication with our community. Already, this is an issue we take responsibility for perpetuating. We want to ensure all information is sourced to and on our website in a single space. Players are welcome to create their own, unofficial spaces however! 

How can I support the development of PawBorough right now?

We take donations from our PayPal. All donations will go towards our continued development.  You can also support us by spreading the word! Tell your friends about our project, keep informed on our updates, and join the site when we’re live!

Will you have dark mode?

Yes. 

Will there be more breeds/patterns?

PawBorough will continue to add more content over the span of its lifetime.  We have currently committed to 21 breeds in total, but new patterns may be added in perpetuity as the game ages. 

Can cats die? Is there a way to remove them from the game?

Cats do not die from play. The only way to remove a cat from the game is to voluntarily retire the cat. 

What are mystic and domestic breeds? 

PawBorough features seven Boroughs that a player may join. A Borough is a culturally unique location in the world of the game. Each Borough has at least two breeds of origin: a domestic breed and a mystic breed. These breeds come in “pairs.” For every domestic cat, there is a mystical, magical counterpart. We call these pairs an “origin set” or “origin pair.”  In lore, this is explained as normal cat breeds being magically, genetically altered over hundreds of years. As a player, you will be able to switch between mystic and domestic breeds instantly. 

What are the mystic and domestic pairs? What are the origin Boroughs of every breed?

Here are all origin pairs that we have showcased in updates thus far.  Shorthair / Bovine = Harvest Prowler / Thumper = Harvest Ragdoll / Fyret = The Metropolis Longhair / Moontail = Luna Snowfoot / Prancer = Sol Wolf / ??? = Cogwheel Littlefang / Stonehide = ???

Can Domestic Breeds be turned into Mystic Breeds (and vice versa)?

Yes. Here is a graphic of the system we are testing, which incorporates Borough origin: 

Why not just have separate items for every breed? Why the pairs?

This choice was intended to unilaterally flatten the rarity between mystic and domestic breeds, and instead determine rarity by origin set. With an item for every breed, seeding the items would inevitably become imbalanced in some way. This way, Shorthair and Bovines, for example, are equal opportunity for the player.  We did not want to, as a game, incentivize collecting mystic breeds over domestic breeds, thus viewing domestic breeds as a contextually “lesser” option. That has just never been our vision! 

Will some Breeds/Patterns/Colors be more rare than others?

Yes.  Breed rarity will be dependent on the origin pair. Bovines and Shorthairs may be more common than Longhairs and Moontails, for example.  Patterns will have breed and drop rarity.  Colors will be dependent on breeding outcomes. You may use our live kit predictor on our website to view how two colors interact. A brief write-up on how color outcomes for kits are calculated is located here!

How much can you customize your two Founder cats?

You will be able to fully customize the colors and sex of your Founders. You will also be able to select from a pre-selected pool of patterns and breeds, which will be changeable for all cats via items. We are currently working on adding the ability to fully customize white coverage for Founders. The only thing you will not be able to change is the Borough birthplace (eye color.)  We are also considering adding the ability to freely re-access the creator and change your founders at any time. As a general note, your Founders will be incredibly customizable! 

Will kits be able to wear accessories?

Yes! We love that we can do this! This does mean our accessory pool will be more limited. However, kits will be fully customizable!

How will players obtain "Generation 1" cats?

Generation 1 cats are cats which are not born from cats already on the site (i.e “offspring.”) There are several methods to obtain a generation 1 cat, however most notably an item called “incense” can be used to immediately spawn a random generation 1 cat into your camp.  Each Borough will have an incense item which spawns a cat with the eyes of said Borough.  Incense is obtained via crafting. 

Will new colors be added to the demo?

Currently, there are no plans to add new colors, but this possibility is not off the table. 

Will you have feathers behind the ear as an accessory?

No. We are aware that, historically, media with anthropomorphized cats has a history of anti-indigenous themes.  In the interest of respecting indigenous populations, we will not be illustrating any feather-themed accessories without indigenous sensitivity consultation.

Will I be able to attach tags to my cats? Such as #kit?

Yes, we will be implementing a tagging system! 

Will multiple cats be able to have the same species of Fauna companion?

Yes! 

Will there be a way to make my cat stay as a kit forever?

Yes. We will be adding perma-kits as a feature. 

Can you add a nonbinary/third gender pose to the cats?

We would love to, but we’re a small indie team with limited resources. Three poses with full accessory and pattern functionality is already quite a bit of effort for us, especially with the demand of the art style we are committed to!  However, we consider the Mars and Venus poses to be, for all intents and purposes, genderless. The purpose of two adult poses is simply to explore the designs. You will be able to switch between both adult poses at any time via a switch on the cat’s customize page. 

Will there be a pronouns section for a cat's page?

We were asked to add this feature quite a bit, and we did add it! We are currently testing a system which may allow custom pronouns (such as neopronouns) that the game will recognize and use in narration and dialogue. This will help aid our initial reservation to the concept. 

Will there be a way to change a cat's eye type?

Yes, and eye palette too! The only thing you cannot change is the birth Borough (Borough eye color.)

What's the difference between an Accessory and Decor item?

Accessories are pieces of clothing tailored to layer on each cat pose. They cannot be moved from where they sit on the cat. They can only be shifted above or below other Accessories layered onto the cat.  In comparison, Decor items are items which can be shifted, rotated, and resized around the cat. Decor and Backdrop items come together to create a scene! 

Can we change a cat's birth Borough/eye color?

No.  

To what extent will you feature violence or adult content?

PawBorough is for teens and older. Users must be 13 and up to play. This means that we will feature minor use of moderately strong language, mentions of alcohol, and the allowance of art with cartoon blood and violence.  However, photorealistic blood or gore will not be allowed, and we allow absolutely no sexually suggestive content whatsoever. 

Will you have a custom system? How will it work?

This question refers to the concept of allowing custom, user-uploaded art to be created into items and imposed over a cat.  Yes, we will have a system for this. Our custom cat items are called “pelts.”  “Unclipped pelts” will allow for users to draw over the lines of the cat.  “Clipped pelts” will go under the lines of a cat, and be easier to work with Accessories.  Both will be a premium feature, and come with limitations and restrictions to help maintain the visual identity of the game. We will also be implementing a less complex pelt system for Fauna! 

Will you have breeds that resemble big cats?

We will not be featuring any breeds from the Panthera order. This includes lions, jaguars, leopards, tigers, and snow leopards. We also will not be adding cheetahs, due to their cultural association with big cats. In the lore of PawBorough, big cats (and cheetahs) are mythical depictions akin to humans imagining elves!  All other breeds from the Felidae family are on the table. This does include wildcats. 

Will you add more white coverage possibilities?

Uncertain at this time. The idea is on the table, however we’re currently focused on illustrating for all the planned breeds! 

Do you have a “basic” pattern?

No. We do have a pattern called “solid” that may aesthetically resemble a more basic patterning, but we do not have a base-level pattern that users build up from. Instead, all patterns have some degree of rarity and detail. 

Is there a way to change a cat's colors?

Yes. Users will have access to items which randomize a single cat’s colors. 

Can I rename my cats?

Yes! Much like changing the pose, renaming a cat is able to be done anytime via the customization page. 

How will line breaking accents be handled? Won't they clash with apparel?

For those who are unaware, PawBorough features accent genes which may break the silhouette.  The answer to this is: yes, they will! We deliberated over this for some time. However, we are treating line-breaking accents much like other accessories. It will be on the onus of the player to prevent clipping with any other accessories, just as accessories can and will clip with one another.  Line breaking accents will be layerable among accessories, so users can adjust the layering how they like.  From a design standpoint, line-breaking accents will only include biological body modifications. This includes, but is not limited to, horns, teeth, scales, claws, fur, and anything else which would grow from the cat itself. This therefore excludes these attributes from accessories.  Overgrowth is an exception to this rule, due to its inception before the restriction was in place. In lore, Overgrowth is explained as a benign, parasitic, magic-touched plant which lives in cat fur and is easily passed to children of infected parents while nesting. 

Can accents be in any slot? Can I have the same accent in both slots?

All accent genes can be in either slot! However, you may not have the same accent in both slots. Both slots are able to lack an accent at the same time, however. 

What are the default patterns and breeds I can pick for my Founders?

You may create your Founders starting with: Solid Tiger Tuxedo Blotches This list is subject to change. No accent genes will be available for Founders to start with. 

How does breeding work?

Breeding is available between two compatible cats. Users will choose to start a nest with two cats. Users will then babysit the nest until the new kits are ready to enter the User’s camp. Kits will inherit colors and patterns based on the parents. Testing of this mechanic is available on our website!

Can players cancel unwanted nests? Is it possible to accidentally lose a nest?

Nests can be reversed via a Bitter Root item. This is an active choice that the player must click several times to confirm.  Otherwise, nests remain until the player interacts with them and do not expire. 

Can Domestic and Mystic Breeds produce offspring?

Yes! All cats can breed with one another. 

How will Paw Borough prevent inbreeding regarding the cats?

Currently, cats which are related via 5 generations apart cannot breed together. 

Will cats ever be too old to breed?

We have no intention for a feature like this at this time. 

Can cats have multiple mates?

Yes. 

How does white coverage work for breeding?

Random coverage spots are chosen for each kit, with dominant spots passed down and recessive spots having a lower chance of showing. The coverage amount is chosen via the algorithm below. none x none => 90% none, 10% low full x none => 5% full, 10% high, 50% medium, 20% low, 5% none full x full => 90% full, 10% high full x medium => 50% full, 10% high, 40% medium full x high => 90% full, 10% high full x low => 25% full, 25% high, 25% medium, 25% small medium x medium => 5% full, 10% high, 50% medium, 20% low, 5% chance of none high x high => 15% full, 20% medium, 65% high, 10% low high x none => 30% none, 30% high, 25% medium, 15% small high x medium => 10% full, 10% small, 40% high, 40% medium high x low => 60% small, 20% medium, 20% high

How many cats are in a litter?

This is subject to change, but a cat can have between 1-4 kits in a single litter. 

Can I breed my cats to have different eye colors than my borough?

Yes. 

Can I breed my cats with other users?

Yes! We have a system for cross-account nests which will allow two users to both care for a nest and then divide the kits. 

Is there a cap on how much regular currency a player can obtain every day?

There will likely be a cap, but questions like these have become difficult to give concrete answers on until we can simulate the economy in closed Beta!

Will there be events during the game?

Yes! PawBorough will have an onsite story which will be told through events, in addition to holiday events which will give users seasonal item rotations. 

If I miss story events, how can I catch up?

All real-time story events will be documented in an onsite archive which users can visit and read at any time. Campaign events which surround Guild play will be re-playable, which new users can play at any time. 

Will the game have achievements?

Yes. PawBorough will feature a badge and reward system. 

Will there be side/minigames?

At this time, we are focused on a closed gameplay loop which is fun, satisfying, and rewarding without the need for an abundance of generalized minigame designs. We may incorporate unique, one-off minigames for immersion in the future. But it is our hope that they won’t be necessary for an enjoyable game. We would much rather focus our resources towards buffing out the gameplay loop, and accommodating several play styles with it! 

Are there any plans for a battling system for cats?

Yes! PawBorough will feature teams which may register at the Guild. Users will be able to go on missions with their cats and earn rewards, leveling up their team and earning exclusive items in the process. What stats does a cat have? What are they used for?

Cats feature seven statistics: Stamina, Strength, Sense, Smarts, Speed, Savvy, and Sorcery.  A cat's base stat number is divided among these categories. Leveling a cat up will allow the player to build out any given statistical category. Statistics are used for different dynamics in combat (mele, range, healing, dodging, etc.) as well as helping to calculate different daily item yields. Cats can be leveled up both by participating in Guild play and by yielding items.  Each cat also has a Fortune and Doom statistic, which affects good luck and bad luck in RNG and general combat. These two stats cannot be changed. 

Are base stats completely randomized?

Yes, but there is a cap and a weighted bell curve. All Founders start with the same base stat. 

Can I read official lore of the game?

As of right now, we are working on an updated lore page with a more interactive presentation and more meat than our previous iteration. We will notify all social media when we have a new page live. 

How will recolors of accessories work?

PawBorough features a dye system. All items will come in 12 standard colors and may be dyed to any of the 12 colors. Dyes are obtained via crafting.  “Special dyes,” as they are currently called, will feature more unique coloring from the standard item, such as holographic, polka-dot, or pastel. Special dyes will only be applicable to certain compatible items. (And in all cases, a special dye will only work on an item that the standard doesn’t already apply to. For example, if a shirt is polka-dot by default, there is no reason for the shirt to be compatible with the polka-dot special dye.) 

Can I be an Alpha tester? Is Alpha open? 

Alpha applications are available here. If this form is closed, it means applications are no longer accepted.  Alpha is not open as of June 12th, 2024. We will keep active communication and announce when Alpha opens. Applicants who are chosen will receive emails with the appropriate steps. 

If I am chosen as an alpha tester, do I have to sign an NDA?

No. 

How will data wipes happen during the closed Beta?

For context, a data wipe consists of removal of all cats, items, currency, and user content.  A data wipe will NOT wipe the following:  Your account, including your username, credentials, and ID number.  Credit for any money previously spent on your account.  Closed Beta will feature at least one data wipe as the test comes to a close. However, closed Beta will feature as many data wipes as we the developers deem necessary for testing important game dynamics. As an example, we need to test economic balance, and will wipe as necessary to test new pricing and currency distribution. 

Is there a limit to how many Beta Testers there will be?

Closed Beta is limited to the number of Beta Keys sold on our Kickstarter. Population reports put this number at over 1600 keys. 

How much earlier do Early Bird tier codes get into the closed Beta?

Early bird codes allow 3 days of early access! 

Will Luna Stones be tradeable or will they be locked to your account?

All Kickstarter items will be tradeable. 

Are Moontail wings randomly chosen when using a Luna Stone on a cat? What about when you breed a Moontail?

Wing types are random when using a Luna Stone. To change a Moontail’s wing type, an item will be easily available. When breeding, the wing type of the parent will pass down. 

I am a backer. How will I receive my Kickstarter rewards?

With the email you used to back, you will be emailed a code for your beta key(s) and a reward code which will be redeemable onsite for your tier rewards/add-ons. Can I still pledge to the Kickstarter?

No. 

Are the Kickstarter items obtainable since the campaign ended?

No, and yes. We will not be distributing these items again. They are retired. However, when the site is live, you may trade with backers for Kickstarter items. 

Will I lose my Kickstarter rewards after a Beta wipe?

Any redeemable item codes will become redeemable again after a data wipe. 

Account 

Can two or more people share an account?

No. We limit the game to one account per user. If you are caught sharing your account with another person, you may have your account frozen. All items you may lose by choosing to share your account are at your own risk. 

Can system members have individual accounts?

When we say one account per User, we mean User. This means that systems with individual users may have separate accounts. However, any evidence of “funneling,” daily yield transfer, or frequent and egregious transfer of cats or resources which would give a User identifiable advantage over other Users will result in consequences, including but not limited to removal of the aforementioned resources and termination of one or both accounts. 

Can you change your Borough after choosing one at signup?

Yes! 

Can you change your username? Will multiple people be allowed to have the same username?

Your username will be changeable. No two accounts may share a username. 

Am I allowed to have a "side" account?

Accounts are limited to one per user. Evidence of frequent cross-account trading which implies the existence of a side account will result in investigation and consequence. 

What is the character limit on usernames?

18. It is the same for cat names. 

Will I get my account banned if a housemate and I both play PawBorough, and you recognize the same IP address?

No. In fact, we are rather lenient and understanding of this. We only will take administrative action if the cross-account activity is egregiously imbalanced and rewards one player with a clear, identifiable advantage over other players. 

Can players terminate their own account?

Yes. 

How many accounts will be reserved for staff use?

The first 10 account IDs will be reserved for staff use. This number may be subject to change. 

Is there a referral system? Are there any rewards for referring people?

We are developing a referral system in tandem with our badge system. Our system will reward referring players with a payout every time their referee(s) completes an achievement and earns a badge. 

Can I use a cat I made in PawBorough as an original character / purchase commissioned art of this character?

Yes, we love it! However, no content featuring our doll art may be used commercially. You may not profit off of our exact images. We also require that any public use of our art or designs be credited back to our website.

Can I use cats in offsite roleplay? Do I need to give credit? Can I go make my own story out of my PawBorough characters?

Yes. Credit requirement largely depends. If you use an image from the site, you must credit us. If you’re using a mystic design of ours, those creature designs are owned by us. We would prefer if you did not completely divorce them from our game and give us credit for the creature design. Under no circumstances may you use any mystic designs in commercial content.  However, we don’t own the concept of a generic cat character. If you create and name a domestic cat in our game, you’re welcome to take it elsewhere and do anything you damn well please with it! Again, so long as you credit any use of our images, and use none of our images commercially!  Also, for clarity, we don’t own the concept of moth cats or cow cats, but our specific design elements in tandem with the breed titles are attributed to us. You’re totally free to make a moth cat design for your own use! 

Are we allowed to trade art for beta keys with other users?

Yes.

Is offsite trading allowed?

For beta keys, yes, but at your own risk. Note that many games of our genre disallow cross-site trading with games in development, or altogether. We do not allow nor endorse disregarding the TOS of other games.  We are considering an embargo on cross-site trading of cats, items, and site currency both during Beta and for a brief initial launch period. This is to help preserve the microcosm of our onsite economy and grow it to a healthy, prosperous size before introducing the possibility of cross-site scalping. We hope you understand this decision. We’ll keep forefront communication with Users on these policies during the game’s lifespan. 

Can I sell my Kickstarter rewards for real-life currency?

No. This will never be allowed. 

Can I trade my Kickstarter rewards for digital or physical art?

Yes. Art as a traded good would not be counted under the cross-site embargo. If any cross-site content is included in conditions of the trade, it would be considered illegal. 

Will there be a safe way to exchange premium currency for regular currency with other players?

Two-step cross-account trading will be in place. Both players will have to approve a supposed trade before it will activate. 

[allaboutkeyingo]

SQL Server 2022 Edition and License instructions

SQL Server 2022 Editions:

• Enterprise Edition is ideal for applications requiring mission critical in-memory performance, security, and high availability

• Standard Edition delivers fully featured database capabilities for mid-tier applications and data marts

SQL Server 2022 is also available in free Developer and Express editions. Web Edition is offered in the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) program only.

And the Online Store Keyingo Provides the SQL Server 2017/2019/2022 Standard Edition.

SQL Server 2022 licensing models 

SQL Server 2022 offers customers a variety of licensing options aligned with how customers typically purchase specific workloads. There are two main licensing models that apply to SQL Server:  PER CORE: Gives customers a more precise measure of computing power and a more consistent licensing metric, regardless of whether solutions are deployed on physical servers on-premises, or in virtual or cloud environments. 

• Core based licensing is appropriate when customers are unable to count users/devices, have Internet/Extranet workloads or systems that integrate with external facing workloads.

• Under the Per Core model, customers license either by physical server (based on the full physical core count) or by virtual machine (based on virtual cores allocated), as further explained below.

SERVER + CAL: Provides the option to license users and/or devices, with low-cost access to incremental SQL Server deployments.   

• Each server running SQL Server software requires a server license.

• Each user and/or device accessing a licensed SQL Server requires a SQL Server CAL that is the same version or newer – for example, to access a SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition server, a user would need a SQL Server 2019 or 2022 CAL.

Each SQL Server CAL allows access to multiple licensed SQL Servers, including Standard Edition and legacy Business Intelligence and Enterprise Edition Servers.SQL Server 2022 Editions availability by licensing model:  

Physical core licensing – Enterprise Edition 

• Customers can deploy an unlimited number of VMs or containers on the server and utilize the full capacity of the licensed hardware, by fully licensing the server (or server farm) with Enterprise Edition core subscription licenses or licenses with SA coverage based on the total number of physical cores on the servers.

• Subscription licenses or SA provide(s) the option to run an unlimited number of virtual machines or containers to handle dynamic workloads and fully utilize the hardware’s computing power.

Virtual core licensing – Standard/Enterprise Edition 

When licensing by virtual core on a virtual OSE with subscription licenses or SA coverage on all virtual cores (including hyperthreaded cores) on the virtual OSE, customers may run any number of containers in that virtual OSE. This benefit applies both to Standard and Enterprise Edition.

Licensing for non-production use 

SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition provides a fully featured version of SQL Server software—including all the features and capabilities of Enterprise Edition—licensed for  development, test and demonstration purposes only.  Customers may install and run the SQL Server Developer Edition software on any number of devices. This is  significant because it allows customers to run the software  on multiple devices (for testing purposes, for example)  without having to license each non-production server  system for SQL Server.  

A production environment is defined as an environment  that is accessed by end-users of an application (such as an  Internet website) and that is used for more than gathering  feedback or acceptance testing of that application.   

SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition is a free product !

[mariacallous]

The world breathed a sigh of relief on May 12 when, after negotiations in Geneva, the United States and China initially agreed to a 90-day pause in their trade war, halting sky-high reciprocal tariffs and other measures, such as China’s latest export controls on rare earths. Markets reacted positively, and businesses geared up to use the pause to ramp up trade of goods in both directions, in case the cease-fire wasn’t extended.

The goodwill lasted all of one day. The deal quickly hit a snag over the status of the seven rare earths (samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium), but it’s not clear why—or how significant this is. Some may read this as another example of the tussle between the two powers, with things likely to settle down after the recent meeting in London, in which China agreed to a six-month pause on any rare-earth limitations. U.S. President Donald Trump said the deal was “done,” while Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang said the two sides had, “in principle, reached a framework for implementing the consensus.”

There is a strong case to make, however, that the dynamics of the relationship have dramatically shifted now that China has shown an unprecedented willingness to use its coercive toolkit. China may now have a much larger say in shaping patterns of escalation and de-escalation—and in whether Beijing and Washington are headed toward reconciliation or decoupling.

In the days after the Geneva announcement, based on reports from frustrated U.S. firms, the United States accused China of going back on its word and not permitting the resumption of rare-earth exports. Beijing responded that it was complying and that the only hang-up was cumbersome export approval procedures. It simultaneously complained that the United States had violated the “spirit of Geneva” when, on May 13, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security issued an advisory that use of Huawei’s Ascend 910 chip by anyone “anywhere in the world” could constitute a violation of U.S. export control rules and expose the user to “substantial criminal and administrative penalties.”

The Trump administration did not accept this countercharge, responding with even more forceful measures over the next two weeks, including putting export controls on U.S. commercial aviation equipment destined for China’s C919 narrow-body airliner, chemicals, and semiconductor software design tools. Moreover, the State Department announced that the United States would begin to “aggressively revoke” the visas of Chinese students who had ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

The prospect of a total collapse was only stemmed when Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on June 5 and agreed to the London meeting. A statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs again asserted China had honored its commitments and that it was the United States that had acted unfairly: “The U.S. side should acknowledge the progress already made, and remove the negative measures taken against China.” Around this time, the U.S. Commerce Department modified the restrictions on the Huawei chip, quietly removing the phrase “anywhere in the world” from its guidance.

In the London talks that concluded on June 10, the two sides reached a “handshake deal.” According to CNBC, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Washington’s latest export controls “would be rolled back as Beijing approves rare earths exports.”

There are at least two potential ways to read what has happened over the past month. The narrowest, most prosaic view is that none of this is new. Neither side was trying to outright scuttle the deal but were testing the other to determine what they could get away with, which is par for the course in trade tiffs. China has regularly in the past tried to “renegotiate” agreements after they have been signed, from individual investment deals to the terms of its World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. (Who can forget China’s commitment in 2001 to join the Government Procurement Agreement “as soon as possible”?)

Similarly, the United States has previously said its plans to expand its high-tech de-risking efforts, such as the kinds of limits imposed on the Huawei Ascend chips, would continue without pause on a separate track from tariff talks. Each side’s measures sparking responses is unsurprising—and, given the slowdown in both economies, it is no wonder that cooler heads have prevailed for now.

But there is a second, more dramatic—and likely more plausible—interpretation: For the first time ever, China intentionally cut off its rare-earth exports to the United States in response to Trump’s declaration of trade war. And despite the Trump administration’s blustery response, the United States’ absolute dependence on raw and processed rare earths from China led it to completely back down to the status quo ante.

Granted, China has not been shy about throwing its economic weight around in the past. It has long traded access to its market for technology transfer. It has punished trading partners—among them, Australia, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan—by blocking the exports of specific products to China. It has taken a whole variety of actions against U.S. firms, including blocking mergers and acquisitions and fining firms for violating its anti-monopoly law.

But this appears to be the first time China blocked export to the United States of a “chokepoint” product, which occurs when a monopolist denies export of a product that the importer desperately needs. China did take similar actions against Japan in the wake of maritime tensions in 2010, but Japan is a much weaker power than the United States, and China’s ban was undermined by domestic smugglers and abandoned after two months.

The potential costs of taking this action are high. The target could escalate, rather than backing down. It could reinforce the impression that China is willing to weaponize normal commerce to hurt adversaries, driving business away and pushing others together against China. With rare earths, where China has a monopoly on refinement but not extraction, it could speed up the push to build new facilities in the United States and elsewhere that can handle such minerals.

But the trade war seems to have been the perfect test for this strategy. Trump had clearly signaled through sky-high tariffs, a phalanx of nontariff barriers, and heated rhetoric that he was pursuing a scorched-earth trade strategy intended to intimidate everyone, including China, into making massive unilateral concessions. Yet, at the same time, the U.S. president has repeatedly backed down when faced with intense geopolitical or economic pushback, in a pattern Wall Street traders have dubbed “TACO” (Trump always chickens out).

The most important signal that Trump would relent under counterpressure was his shift on April 9 to reduce tariffs on everyone but China, followed by his repeated public statements suggesting that he wanted to talk with Xi. The right moment came when the Commerce Department issued its new guidance on Huawei chips right after the Geneva agreement. The hope appears to have been to use the pause in rare-earth exports to push the United States to back down from not only this action but deter it from taking other punitive steps in the future. One Chinese observer explained the logic to me with the saying “One punch can prevent a hundred punches.”

Policymakers and students of interdependence, and weaponized interdependence in particular, will be studying this case and its implications for a long time. They will debate whether this episode is more proof of the need for the United States to “de-risk” or “decouple” from China or if a different approach is needed to manage the challenges of complex interdependence with one’s rival.

There certainly are several worrying signs. The most immediate is that China, despite its claims that its system to manage rare-earth exports is designed to benefit everyone, has, in fact, successfully weaponized its monopoly on refinement of these vital minerals, holding 92 percent of global capacity, to force the United States to back down.

Some experts, writing before the current crisis, have optimistically argued that China can only use this threat once because the United States and others can build stockpiles and develop alternative sources. But the United States and others, despite having taken some steps, have largely frittered away the last 15 years, since the initial actions against Japan, and it will still be a decade or more before there is a serious dent in China’s monopoly.

To drive the point home, China has pledged to continue to provide rare earths to the United States for only six months. It may now feel emboldened to threaten restrictions on other items where it dominates, from antibiotics and active pharmaceutical ingredients to cobalt, tungsten, and auto parts. And can the world still be sure that China will not threaten to sell off its substantial holdings of U.S. Treasurys?

More broadly, the United States is no longer alone in shaping the trajectory of the trade war. China previously was only in a position to offer concessions to lower the temperature on tensions. Beijing now can turn the dial both up and down. This limits U.S. freedom of action not only on trade but potentially in other spheres as well, including possibly the Taiwan Strait.

Equally important, the United States can no longer lean on the larger principles of the rules-based multilateral trading order or its allies to push China to comply because it no longer supports either. It has abandoned the ideas of most-favored-nation status and national treatment in favor of a series of individual deals that privilege itself above all others, the system and allies be damned. In sum, the hard- and soft-power foundations of U.S. primacy have taken a huge hit.

There may be some silver linings around these darkening clouds. Although China’s ability to effectively weaponize rare earths (and potentially other strategically important products) has backfooted the United States, it may also create disincentives for the Trump administration to escalate without limit on tariffs or take other destabilizing steps that could create other crises, generate more pressure for fragmentation, and slow global growth.

It is uncomfortable that China, which itself has eroded the WTO’s authority with its oversized industrial policy machine, should receive credit for potentially creating a more stable balance of power, but this is not the first sign the world is upside down.

It may also lead to a more serious conversation about how to manage interdependence. While it is absolutely vital for the United States and its allies to mitigate their vulnerabilities, individually and as a group, the U.S. and Chinese economies are likely to be interconnected for a very long time. And so the U.S. and Chinese governments should begin an adult conversation about the rules of the road for the use and abuse of their respective coercive tools, including raw materials, advanced technologies, international financial payments, holdings of government bonds, telecommunication networks, and data security.

In the wake of the Cuban missile crisis, U.S. and Soviet policymakers and scientists agreed to norms and rules that have kept the world from nuclear war far longer than most would have confidently predicted. Although the forthcoming U.S.-China negotiations will likely focus on market access and short-term dealmaking, officials and experts from the United States, China, and others should take inspiration from their predecessors and at some point have a much more meaningful conversation about how to manage their relationship and promote stability, peace, and prosperity in the years and decades ahead.

[james0cy]

Business Owner’s Stolen Crypto Recovered After 5-Month Ordeal

When Troy Nathan., the CEO of a boutique software startup based in Austin, Texas, opened an email that appeared to be from a trusted vendor, he had no idea it would mark the beginning of a five-month nightmare.

The message contained a routine-looking invoice and a link to a PDF. But the link redirected him to a spoofed login page that captured his private keys. Within an hour, over $230,000 worth of Ethereum had been drained from his company’s digital wallet. “My heart dropped. I refreshed the wallet and saw the balance was almost zero. I just sat there in disbelief,” Troy said.

The next several weeks were filled with panic, confusion, and failed attempts to recover the funds. Troy hired independent IT security consultants and even reached out to legal experts in blockchain fraud. “Everyone told me the same thing: once it’s gone, it’s gone. That’s the reality of crypto,” he recalled.

But Troy refused to accept that answer.

One late night on a crypto recovery forum, a comment stood out a user recommended a low-profile but highly skilled team called Astraweb, known for using forensic tools to track down stolen digital assets. With little to lose, Troy reached out to their team via Astraweb@cyberdude.com.

To his surprise, Astraweb responded within hours. Their recovery process started with a deep forensic audit of the compromised wallet, followed by blockchain behavior modeling to identify and trace the attackers’ movement. According to Troy, Astraweb utilized tools that could map smart contracts and wallet clusters even when hackers attempted to launder funds across decentralized exchanges or mix them in tumblers.

“They explained everything clearly, didn’t overpromise, and took the time to understand the attack,” Troy said. “Within a few weeks, they had mapped out a trail of transactions and began actively tracking the stolen Ethereum across multiple wallets.”

Using smart contract analytics and darknet monitoring tools, Astraweb was able to intercept transactions and ultimately recover 91% of the stolen assets. “I couldn’t believe it. They recovered over $210,000 worth of Ethereum. I’d already written it off as a total loss.”

Astraweb declined to comment for this story, citing confidentiality and the ongoing nature of other recovery operations. However, their track record is quietly growing in crypto circles, where anonymity and theft often go hand-in-hand.

Troy has since overhauled his company’s digital security protocols. Multi-signature wallets, cold storage, staff training, and simulated phishing tests are now part of the company culture. “This experience taught me that even tech professionals aren’t immune. But there are experts out there who can help if you know where to look.”

For business owners and individuals who have fallen victim to crypto theft, Troy has one recommendation: “Don’t give up. Contact Astraweb at Astraweb@cyberdude.com

[antutu-benchmark]

Antutu Benchmark Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Using It

Introduction

Antutu Benchmark is one of the most popular and widely used performance testing tools for smartphones and other devices. It provides a detailed score based on multiple tests that measure CPU, GPU, memory, and user experience performance. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a buyer comparing devices, or a developer optimizing apps, Antutu Benchmark offers valuable insights into device capabilities.

What is Antutu Benchmark?

Definition and Purpose Antutu Benchmark is an app that runs a series of tests on your device to evaluate its overall performance. It assesses different components like the processor, graphics, memory speed, and user interface fluidity to generate a comprehensive score. This score helps users compare devices and understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Why Use Antutu Benchmark? Using Antutu Benchmark is important because it provides an objective, standardized way to measure device performance. It helps consumers make informed decisions when purchasing smartphones, tablets, or other gadgets and helps manufacturers optimize hardware and software.

How Does Antutu Benchmark Work?

Key Testing Areas Antutu performs tests in several categories including CPU performance (calculations and multitasking), GPU performance (graphics rendering and gaming), memory speed (RAM and storage performance), and user experience (smoothness of operation).

Score Calculation After running all tests, Antutu combines results into a single score. Higher scores mean better overall performance. This score is often used to rank devices in performance charts and reviews.

Benefits of Using Antutu Benchmark

Device Comparison Made Easy With Antutu Benchmark, you can compare scores of different devices to find which performs better in real-world scenarios.

Helps Identify Bottlenecks By breaking down scores into CPU, GPU, and memory, Antutu helps identify which component might be slowing your device.

How to Use Antutu Benchmark?

Installation Process You can download Antutu Benchmark from official app stores or trusted sources. After installation, simply open the app and start the benchmark test.

Running the Test Make sure your device is charged and close background apps for accurate results. The test takes several minutes and runs through all performance checks automatically.

Common Questions About Antutu Benchmark

Is Antutu Benchmark reliable? Antutu is widely accepted but, like any benchmark, it has limitations. Scores can vary based on device conditions and software versions.

Does running Antutu affect my device? The test is safe but can cause the device to heat up temporarily due to intensive processing.

Tips to Get Accurate Results on Antutu Benchmark

Close All Apps Before testing, close any apps running in the background to avoid interference.

Use the Latest Version Always update Antutu Benchmark to the latest version to get the most accurate and relevant tests.

Antutu Benchmark Scores: What Do They Mean?

Understanding Scores Scores above 500,000 indicate high-end performance, suitable for gaming and heavy multitasking. Mid-range devices typically score between 200,000 to 400,000.

Comparing Scores Over Time Newer devices usually score higher, reflecting advancements in hardware technology.

Alternatives to Antutu Benchmark

Other Popular Benchmark Apps Besides Antutu, apps like Geekbench, 3DMark, and PCMark offer alternative performance tests focusing on specific aspects like CPU or graphics.

When to Use Alternatives Using multiple benchmarks gives a more rounded view of your device’s capabilities.

Conclusion Antutu Benchmark remains a powerful tool to measure and compare smartphone and device performance. By understanding how it works and interpreting the scores correctly, users can make smarter purchasing decisions and optimize their tech experience.

FAQs

Q1: Can Antutu Benchmark be used on all smartphones? Yes, Antutu supports most Android devices and has a version for iOS with limited features.

Q2: Does Antutu Benchmark require internet? No, you can run the benchmark offline, but internet is needed to check online rankings.

Q3: Why are my Antutu scores different on the same device? Scores can vary due to temperature, battery level, and background processes.

Q4: Can Antutu detect fake or modified devices? Antutu includes security checks that can flag devices with counterfeit or tampered hardware.

Q5: Is a higher Antutu score always better? Generally yes, but real-world performance depends on software optimization and usage scenarios too.

[almondenterprise]

Best Practices for Safe and Efficient LV Electrical Installations in 2025

Introduction

Low Voltage (LV) electrical installations are the backbone of safe and reliable power distribution in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. In 2025, as energy demands rise and smart technologies evolve, following best practices in LV installations is more important than ever to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance.

This blog outlines the latest best practices for designing, installing, and maintaining LV electrical systems according to international standards and industry trends.

What Is an LV Electrical Installation?

LV (Low Voltage) refers to electrical systems that operate at voltages up to 1000V AC or 1500V DC. These installations include:

· Electrical panels and switchboards

· Distribution circuits

· Lighting systems

· Sockets and fixed appliances

· Motor control systems

Proper LV installation ensures that power is distributed safely and efficiently without risk of fire, equipment failure, or personnel injury.

Why Best Practices Matter in 2025

In the age of smart buildings, renewable integration, and digital energy management, the quality of your LV installation affects:

· Operational reliability

· Energy efficiency

· System lifespan

· User safety

· Regulatory compliance

Failing to adhere to best practices can result in costly downtime, legal penalties, and even life-threatening hazards.

Top Best Practices for Safe and Efficient LV Electrical Installations

1. Conduct Detailed Load Analysis

Before starting any LV installation, carry out a comprehensive load assessment to determine the power requirements, load types, and future expansion needs. This ensures:

· Proper cable sizing

· Correct protection device selection

· Optimized system capacity

Use load flow software tools and factor in diversity and demand coefficients for accuracy.

2. Follow International Standards (IEC, NEC)

Compliance with recognized standards ensures installations meet safety and performance benchmarks. Key references include:

· IEC 60364 for LV electrical installations

· NEC (NFPA 70) for code-compliant wiring in the U.S.

· ISO 50001 for energy management integration

Also, refer to local electrical regulations where applicable.

3. Use Certified, High-Quality Components

Always use LV components from certified manufacturers — this includes:

· Circuit breakers (MCCBs/MCBs)

· Residual current devices (RCDs)

· Surge protection devices (SPDs)

· Busbars, cables, and enclosures

Poor-quality components may not withstand fault conditions, leading to short circuits, fires, or system failure.

4. Ensure Proper Cable Management and Sizing

Correct cable selection and layout are critical:

· Size cables based on current capacity, voltage drop, and ambient temperature

· Use LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) cables for fire safety

· Label and route cables cleanly using trays, ducts, and tie-downs

Improper cable management is a leading cause of overheating and system inefficiency.

5. Install Proper Earthing and Grounding Systems

An effective earthing system protects against:

· Electric shock

· Equipment damage

· Lightning surges

Use TT, TN, or IT systems as per the application and ensure resistance values are within acceptable limits (e.g., <1 ohm for sensitive equipment).

6. Use Protection Coordination and Selectivity

Install protective devices in a coordinated hierarchy to ensure:

· Quick isolation of faults

· Minimal disruption to unaffected areas

· Avoidance of cascading tripping

Selectivity between breakers and fuses enhances safety and ensures continuity of service.

7. Integrate Smart Monitoring and Control

Modern LV installations benefit from IoT-enabled devices and energy monitoring software. This helps with:

· Real-time energy usage tracking

· Predictive maintenance alerts

· Power quality monitoring

· Remote switching and control

Smart LV systems are increasingly used in data centers, green buildings, and industrial automation setups.

8. Conduct Periodic Testing and Maintenance

Post-installation, regular inspection and testing ensure sustained safety and performance. Best practices include:

· Thermal imaging to detect overheating

· Insulation resistance testing

· RCD trip time checks

· Earth loop impedance measurement

Document all tests and create a preventive maintenance schedule based on manufacturer recommendations and operating conditions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

· Overloading circuits without upgrading breakers

· Skipping grounding in temporary setups

· Using outdated wiring diagrams

· Mixing incompatible components

· Neglecting ventilation in panel enclosures

Conclusion

Safe and efficient LV electrical installations in 2025 require more than just technical knowledge — they demand a proactive approach that combines regulatory compliance, technology integration, and quality workmanship. By following these best practices, contractors and facility managers can minimize risks, optimize performance, and build future-ready electrical systems.

Whether you’re designing a commercial building, upgrading an industrial site, or installing a smart home system, investing in safe LV practices today is the smartest move for tomorrow.

Connect With Us

Whether you’re a project engineer, contractor, facility manager, or developer — Almond Enterprise is ready to support your next electrical challenge with confidence and capability.

🔗 Visit: www.almondenterprise.com 📞 Contact: sales.almond@almondenterprise.com | +974 33858416

[this-week-in-rust]

This Week in Rust 577

Hello and welcome to another issue of This Week in Rust! Rust is a programming language empowering everyone to build reliable and efficient software. This is a weekly summary of its progress and community. Want something mentioned? Tag us at @ThisWeekInRust on X (formerly Twitter) or @ThisWeekinRust on mastodon.social, or send us a pull request. Want to get involved? We love contributions.

This Week in Rust is openly developed on GitHub and archives can be viewed at this-week-in-rust.org. If you find any errors in this week's issue, please submit a PR.

Want TWIR in your inbox? Subscribe here.

Updates from Rust Community

Official

This Month in Our Test Infra: November 2024

December 2024 Leadership Council Update

Newsletters

The Embedded Rustacean Issue #34

Rust Trends Issue #55

Project/Tooling Updates

Dioxus 0.6

Flawless Replay

Rust9x update: Rust 1.84.0-beta

What's new in SeaQuery 0.32.x

Observations/Thoughts

Rust Macros: A Cautionary Tale

Running teloxide bots cheaply on Fly.io

Speeding up Ruby by rewriting C… in Ruby

Memory-safe PNG decoders now vastly outperform C PNG libraries

State of the Crates 2025

Comparing Rust Database Crates

Rust Walkthroughs

Parsing MIDI messages in Rust

Drag & Drop Images into Bevy 0.15 on the web

Missing iterable traits and how to introduce them effortlessly

EuroRust: Introduction to Diesel: basic and advanced concepts in practice

Miscellaneous

My Rust Story

November 2024 Rust Jobs Report

[video] How to Integrate C++ and Rust

[video] 2024 LLVM Developers' Meeting - Rust ❤️ LLVM

Crate of the Week

This week's crate is include-utils, a more powerful replacement for the standard library's include_str macro.

Thanks to Aleksey Sidorov for the self-suggestion!

Please submit your suggestions and votes for next week!

Calls for Testing

An important step for RFC implementation is for people to experiment with the implementation and give feedback, especially before stabilization. The following RFCs would benefit from user testing before moving forward:

RFCs

No calls for testing were issued this week.

Rust

No calls for testing were issued this week.

Rustup

No calls for testing were issued this week.

If you are a feature implementer and would like your RFC to appear on the above list, add the new call-for-testing label to your RFC along with a comment providing testing instructions and/or guidance on which aspect(s) of the feature need testing.

Rustup

If you are a feature implementer and would like your RFC to appear on the above list, add the new call-for-testing label to your RFC along with a comment providing testing instructions and/or guidance on which aspect(s) of the feature need testing.

Call for Participation; projects and speakers

CFP - Projects

Always wanted to contribute to open-source projects but did not know where to start? Every week we highlight some tasks from the Rust community for you to pick and get started!

Some of these tasks may also have mentors available, visit the task page for more information.

No Calls for participation were submitted this week.

If you are a Rust project owner and are looking for contributors, please submit tasks here or through a PR to TWiR or by reaching out on X (formerly Twitter) or Mastodon!

CFP - Events

Are you a new or experienced speaker looking for a place to share something cool? This section highlights events that are being planned and are accepting submissions to join their event as a speaker.

No Calls for papers or presentations were submitted this week.x

If you are an event organizer hoping to expand the reach of your event, please submit a link to the website through a PR to TWiR or by reaching out on X (formerly Twitter) or Mastodon!

Updates from the Rust Project

462 pull requests were merged in the last week

dataflow_const_prop: do not eval a ptr address in SwitchInt

fn_sig_for_fn_abi should return a ty::FnSig, no need for a binder

rust_for_linux: -Zreg-struct-return commandline flag for X86

actually walk into lifetimes and attrs in EarlyContextAndPass

add allocate_bytes and refactor allocate_str in InterpCx for raw byte…

add context to "const in pattern" errors

add lint against function pointer comparisons

add more info on type/trait mismatches for different crate versions

avoid opaque type not constrained errors in the presence of other errors

avoid fetching the anon const hir node that is already available

deeply normalize when computing implied outlives bounds

do not implement unsafe auto traits for types with unsafe fields

don't suggest restricting bound with unstable traits on stable and mention it's unstable on nightly

don't use a SyntheticProvider for literally every type

fix MutVisitor's default implementations to visit Stmt's and BinOp's spans

fix suggestion when shorthand self has erroneous type

gate async fn trait bound modifier on async_trait_bounds

handle --json-output properly

hide errors whose suggestions would contain error constants or types

implement checks for tail calls

improve TagEncoding::Niche docs, sanity check, and UB checks

include LLDB and GDB visualizers in MSVC distribution

introduce default_field_values feature

lint against Symbol::intern on a string literal

lint: change help for pointers to dyn types in FFI

make CoercePointee errors translatable

make sure to record deps from cached task in new solver on first run

move most tests for -l and #[link(..)] into tests/ui/link-native-libs

no need to create placeholders for GAT args in confirm_object_candidate

only allow PassMode::Direct for aggregates on wasm when using the C ABI

parse guard patterns

reduce false positives on some common cases from if-let-rescope lint

reimplement ~const trait specialization

structurally resolve in adjust_for_branches

structurally resolve in probe_adt

unify sysroot_target_{bin,lib}dir handling

use correct hir_id for array const arg infers

miri: cleanup: avoid passing byte slice to anonsocket_read

miri: fix SC fence logic

miri: fix weak memory emulation to avoid generating behaviors that are forbidden under C++ 20

miri: implement simd_relaxed_fma

extend Miri to correctly pass mutable pointers through FFI

remove polymorphization

introduce MixedBitSet

stabilize const_collections_with_hasher and build_hasher_default_const_new

stabilize const_{size,align}_of_val

stabilize noop_waker

stabilize std::io::ErrorKind::CrossesDevices

stabilize std::io::ErrorKind::QuotaExceeded

add core::arch::breakpoint and test

implementation of fmt::FormattingOptions

add Extend impls for tuples of arity 1 through 12

cargo: docs(fingerprint): cargo-rustc extra flags do not affect the metadata

cargo: feat(build-rs): Add the 'error' directive

cargo: fix(add): Don't select yanked versions when normalizing names

cargo: fix(build-rs): Correctly refer to the item in assert

cargo: fix(build-std): determine root crates by target spec std:bool

cargo: fix(fingerprint): Don't throwaway the cache on RUSTFLAGS changes

cargo: fix(fix): Migrate workspace dependencies

cargo: test(build-std): make mock-std closer to real world

cargo: fix(build-rs)!: remove meaningless 'cargo_cfg_debug_assertions'

cargo: refactor: use Path::push to construct remap-path-prefix

cargo: semVer: add section on RPIT capturing

rustdoc: remove eq for clean::Attributes

rustdoc: rename issue-\d+.rs tests to have meaningful names (part 10)

rustdoc: rename set_back_info to restore_module_data

rustdoc: always display first line of impl blocks even when collapsed

improve code for FileName retrieval in rustdoc

clippy: doc_lazy_continuation: Correctly count indent with backslashes

clippy: extend precedence for bitmasking and shift

clippy: new lint for as *const _ and as *mut _ pointer casts

rust-analyzer: add Configurable Option to Exclude Trigger Characters for Typing Assists

rust-analyzer: add implict unsafety inlay hints for extern blocks

rust-analyzer: add typing handler for param list pipe

rust-analyzer: complete derive helper attributes

rust-analyzer: complete diagnostics in ty lowering groundwork and serve a first diagnostic 🎉

rust-analyzer: extend reported unsafe operations

rust-analyzer: support AsyncFnX traits

rust-analyzer: fix parsing of parenthesized type args and RTN

rust-analyzer: better parser recovery for paths

rust-analyzer: coerce two FnDefs to fn pointers even if they are the same, if they are subtypes

rust-analyzer: disable < typing handler again

rust-analyzer: do not report warnings from proc macros, ever

rust-analyzer: fix a bug when synthetic AST node were searched in the AST ID map and caused panics

rust-analyzer: fix parser getting stuck for bad asm expressions

rust-analyzer: fix parsing of dyn T in generic arg on 2015 edition

rust-analyzer: fix parsing of integer/keyword name refs in various places

rust-analyzer: fix shadowing of record enum variant in patterns

rust-analyzer: fixed another bug with glob imports

rust-analyzer: map new replacement nodes to their mutable equivalents in SyntaxEditor

rust-analyzer: non-exhaustive structs may be empty

rust-analyzer: panic when displaying generic params with defaults

rust-analyzer: parse lifetime bounds in lifetime param into TypeBoundList

rust-analyzer: resolve generic parameters within use captures

rust-analyzer: temporarily disable completion resolve support for helix and neovim

rust-analyzer: improve heuristics for on typing semicolon insertion

rust-analyzer: make bracket typing handler work on more things

rust-analyzer: migrate add_turbo_fish to SyntaxEditor

rust-analyzer: migrate introduce_named_generic Assist to Use SyntaxFactory

rust-analyzer: migrate sort_items Assist to Use SyntaxFactory

rust-analyzer: vscode: only show status bar item in relevant files

Rust Compiler Performance Triage

A pretty quiet week, with both few PRs landed and no large changes in performance.

Triage done by @simulacrum. Revision range: 490b2cc0..1b3fb316

0 Regressions, 0 Improvements, 7 Mixed; 4 of them in rollups 25 artifact comparisons made in total

Full report here

Approved RFCs

Changes to Rust follow the Rust RFC (request for comments) process. These are the RFCs that were approved for implementation this week:

No RFCs were approved this week.

Final Comment Period

Every week, the team announces the 'final comment period' for RFCs and key PRs which are reaching a decision. Express your opinions now.

RFCs

No RFCs entered Final Comment Period this week.

Tracking Issues & PRs

Rust

[disposition: merge] Add --doctest-compilation-args option to add compilation flags to doctest compilation

Cargo

[disposition: merge] fix(cargo-rustc): stabilize higher precedence trailing flags

Language Team

No Language Team Proposals entered Final Comment Period this week.

Language Reference

No Language Reference RFCs entered Final Comment Period this week.

Unsafe Code Guidelines

No Unsafe Code Guideline Tracking Issues or PRs entered Final Comment Period this week.

New and Updated RFCs

[new] Drop type destructuring

[new] #[must_use = false]

[new] RFC: Partial Types (v3)

Upcoming Events

Rusty Events between 2024-12-11 - 2025-01-08 🦀

Virtual

2024-12-11 | Virtual (Vancouver, BC, CA) | Vancouver Rust

egui

2024-12-12 | Hybrid: In-Person and Virtual (Seattle, WA, US) | Seattle Rust Meetup

December Meetup

2024-12-12 | Virtual (Charlottesville, NC, US) | Charlottesville Rust Meetup

Crafting Interpreters in Rust Collaboratively

2024-12-12 | Virtual (Nürnberg, DE) | Rust Nuremberg

Rust Nürnberg online

2024-12-13 | Virtual (Jersey City, NJ, US) | Jersey City Classy and Curious Coders Club Cooperative

Rust Coding / Game Dev Fridays Open Mob Session!

2024-12-17 | Virtual (San Francisco, CA, US) | Blockchain Center SF

Rust in Web3: Developer Series

2024-12-17 | Virtual (Tel Aviv-Yafo, IL) | Code Mavens 🦀 - 🐍 - 🐪

Rust Source Code Reading: The thousands crate (Virtual, English)

2024-12-17 | Virtual (Washington, DC, US) | Rust DC

Mid-month Rustful

2024-12-19 | Virtual (Berlin, DE) | OpenTechSchool Berlin + Rust Berlin

Rust Hack and Learn | Mirror: Rust Hack n Learn Meetup

2024-12-19 | Virtual (Mexico City, DF, MX) | Rust MX

Posada 2024

2024-12-20 | Virtual (Jersey City, NJ, US) | Jersey City Classy and Curious Coders Club Cooperative

Rust Coding / Game Dev Fridays Open Mob Session!

2024-12-24 | Virtual (Dallas, TX, US) | Dallas Rust

Last Tuesday

2024-12-26 | Virtual (Charlottesville, NC, US) | Charlottesville Rust Meetup

Crafting Interpreters in Rust Collaboratively

2024-01-02| Virtual (Berlin, DE) | OpenTechSchool Berlin + Rust Berlin

Rust Hack and Learn | Mirror: Rust Hack n Learn Meetup

2025-01-04 | Virtual (Kampala, UG) | Rust Circle Kampala

Rust Circle Meetup

Asia

2024-12-14 | Bangalore/Bengaluru, IN | Rust Bangalore

December 2024 Rustacean meetup/workshop

Europe

2024-12-11 | Reading, UK | Reading Rust Workshop

Reading Rust Meetup

2024-12-12 | Amsterdam, NL | Rust Developers Amsterdam Group

Rust Meetup @ JetBrains

2024-12-12 | München, DE | Rust Munich

Rust Munich 2024 / 4 - Hacking Evening

2024-12-12 | Vienna, AT | Rust Vienna

Rust Vienna - December | at Sentry.io 🦀

2024-12-17 | Leipzig, DE | Rust - Modern Systems Programming in Leipzig

Secret Santa in Rust: Unwrapping Property Testing

2024-12-18 | Ghent, BE | Systems Programming Ghent

Launch of new community for Rust and C++ developers

North America

2024-12-12 | Hybrid: In-Person and Virtual (Seattle, WA, US) | Seattle Rust User Group

December Meetup

2024-12-12 | Mountain View, CA, US | Hacker Dojo

RUST MEETUP at HACKER DOJO

2024-12-16 | Minneapolis, MN, US | Minneapolis Rust Meetup

Minneapolis Rust Meetup Happy Hour

2024-12-17 | San Francisco, CA, US | San Francisco Rust Study Group

Rust Hacking in Person

2024-12-26 | Mountain View, CA, US | Hacker Dojo

RUST MEETUP at HACKER DOJO

Oceania

2024-12-16 | Collingwood, AU | Rust Melbourne

December 2024 Rust Melbourne Meetup

If you are running a Rust event please add it to the calendar to get it mentioned here. Please remember to add a link to the event too. Email the Rust Community Team for access.

Jobs

Please see the latest Who's Hiring thread on r/rust

Quote of the Week

Memory-safe implementations of PNG (png, zune-png, wuffs) now dramatically outperform memory-unsafe ones (libpng, spng, stb_image) when decoding images.

Rust png crate that tops our benchmark shows 1.8x improvement over libpng on x86 and 1.5x improvement on ARM.

– Shnatsel on /r/rust

Thanks to Anton Fetisov for the suggestion!

Please submit quotes and vote for next week!

This Week in Rust is edited by: nellshamrell, llogiq, cdmistman, ericseppanen, extrawurst, andrewpollack, U007D, kolharsam, joelmarcey, mariannegoldin, bennyvasquez.

Email list hosting is sponsored by The Rust Foundation

Discuss on r/rust

[teqful]

How-To IT

Topic: Core areas of IT

1. Hardware

• Computers (Desktops, Laptops, Workstations)

• Servers and Data Centers

• Networking Devices (Routers, Switches, Modems)

• Storage Devices (HDDs, SSDs, NAS)

• Peripheral Devices (Printers, Scanners, Monitors)

2. Software

• Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, macOS)

• Application Software (Office Suites, ERP, CRM)

• Development Software (IDEs, Code Libraries, APIs)

• Middleware (Integration Tools)

• Security Software (Antivirus, Firewalls, SIEM)

3. Networking and Telecommunications

• LAN/WAN Infrastructure

• Wireless Networking (Wi-Fi, 5G)

• VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)

• Communication Systems (VoIP, Email Servers)

• Internet Services

4. Data Management

• Databases (SQL, NoSQL)

• Data Warehousing

• Big Data Technologies (Hadoop, Spark)

• Backup and Recovery Systems

• Data Integration Tools

5. Cybersecurity

• Network Security

• Endpoint Protection

• Identity and Access Management (IAM)

• Threat Detection and Incident Response

• Encryption and Data Privacy

6. Software Development

• Front-End Development (UI/UX Design)

• Back-End Development

• DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines

• Mobile App Development

• Cloud-Native Development

7. Cloud Computing

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• Platform as a Service (PaaS)

• Software as a Service (SaaS)

• Serverless Computing

• Cloud Storage and Management

8. IT Support and Services

• Help Desk Support

• IT Service Management (ITSM)

• System Administration

• Hardware and Software Troubleshooting

• End-User Training

9. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

• AI Algorithms and Frameworks

• Natural Language Processing (NLP)

• Computer Vision

• Robotics

• Predictive Analytics

10. Business Intelligence and Analytics

• Reporting Tools (Tableau, Power BI)

• Data Visualization

• Business Analytics Platforms

• Predictive Modeling

11. Internet of Things (IoT)

• IoT Devices and Sensors

• IoT Platforms

• Edge Computing

• Smart Systems (Homes, Cities, Vehicles)

12. Enterprise Systems

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

• Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS)

• Supply Chain Management Systems

13. IT Governance and Compliance

• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)

• COBIT (Control Objectives for Information Technologies)

• ISO/IEC Standards

• Regulatory Compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, SOX)

14. Emerging Technologies

• Blockchain

• Quantum Computing

• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

• 3D Printing

• Digital Twins

15. IT Project Management

• Agile, Scrum, and Kanban

• Waterfall Methodology

• Resource Allocation

• Risk Management

16. IT Infrastructure

• Data Centers

• Virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V)

• Disaster Recovery Planning

• Load Balancing

17. IT Education and Certifications

• Vendor Certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, AWS)

• Training and Development Programs

• Online Learning Platforms

18. IT Operations and Monitoring

• Performance Monitoring (APM, Network Monitoring)

• IT Asset Management

• Event and Incident Management

19. Software Testing

• Manual Testing: Human testers evaluate software by executing test cases without using automation tools.

• Automated Testing: Use of testing tools (e.g., Selenium, JUnit) to run automated scripts and check software behavior.

• Functional Testing: Validating that the software performs its intended functions.

• Non-Functional Testing: Assessing non-functional aspects such as performance, usability, and security.

• Unit Testing: Testing individual components or units of code for correctness.

• Integration Testing: Ensuring that different modules or systems work together as expected.

• System Testing: Verifying the complete software system’s behavior against requirements.

• Acceptance Testing: Conducting tests to confirm that the software meets business requirements (including UAT - User Acceptance Testing).

• Regression Testing: Ensuring that new changes or features do not negatively affect existing functionalities.

• Performance Testing: Testing software performance under various conditions (load, stress, scalability).

• Security Testing: Identifying vulnerabilities and assessing the software’s ability to protect data.

• Compatibility Testing: Ensuring the software works on different operating systems, browsers, or devices.

• Continuous Testing: Integrating testing into the development lifecycle to provide quick feedback and minimize bugs.

• Test Automation Frameworks: Tools and structures used to automate testing processes (e.g., TestNG, Appium).

19. VoIP (Voice over IP)

VoIP Protocols & Standards

• SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)

• H.323

• RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol)

• MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol)

VoIP Hardware

• IP Phones (Desk Phones, Mobile Clients)

• VoIP Gateways

• Analog Telephone Adapters (ATAs)

• VoIP Servers

• Network Switches/ Routers for VoIP

VoIP Software

• Softphones (e.g., Zoiper, X-Lite)

• PBX (Private Branch Exchange) Systems

• VoIP Management Software

• Call Center Solutions (e.g., Asterisk, 3CX)

VoIP Network Infrastructure

• Quality of Service (QoS) Configuration

• VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) for VoIP

• VoIP Traffic Shaping & Bandwidth Management

• Firewall and Security Configurations for VoIP

• Network Monitoring & Optimization Tools

VoIP Security

• Encryption (SRTP, TLS)

• Authentication and Authorization

• Firewall & Intrusion Detection Systems

• VoIP Fraud DetectionVoIP Providers

• Hosted VoIP Services (e.g., RingCentral, Vonage)

• SIP Trunking Providers

• PBX Hosting & Managed Services

VoIP Quality and Testing

• Call Quality Monitoring

• Latency, Jitter, and Packet Loss Testing

• VoIP Performance Metrics and Reporting Tools

• User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for VoIP Systems

Integration with Other Systems

• CRM Integration (e.g., Salesforce with VoIP)

• Unified Communications (UC) Solutions

• Contact Center Integration

• Email, Chat, and Video Communication Integration

[alexguardaquivil619]

Week 6: No Rebus Puzzle, Topic 3 and Consultation

Key Testing Methods, QA Practices, and Project Progress

Last August 17, 2024, no rebus puzzle to start off the session this time, but the subject matter was just as engaging. Our focus was on ensuring that software not only works but also meets high standards of reliability and usability. Testing is at the heart of this process, and our discussion began with two main types of testing Black Box Testing and White Box Testing. The Black Box Testing is all about functionality and the White Box Testing digs into the internal workings of the software. Both approaches have their strenghts, and a balanced combination helps ensure robust software. we also tackled about the regession testing, which is crucial after making changes to a software system, keeping this process efficient is where test automation comes in. Automating tests saves time and reduce human error. It's especially useful when projects grow larger, and more functionality needs to be tested repeatedly. We also discussed about Quality Assurance practices. QA isn't just about testing—it's a holistic approach to maintaining software quality throughout its development lifecycle. This includes adhering to coding standards, conducting peer reviews, and tracking issues as early as possible.

One of the highlights of the session is seen in the photos above, it was learning about User Acceptance Testing (UAT), particularly John Brook's Method. This method focuses on measuring the usability of software not only functions correctly but is also intuitive and easy to use.

Of course, after our discussion we are group into 6 groups and I am teamed up with Apus, Calalin, Diaz, Gonzales and Mahinay. We have our assessment or class activity every after our discussion. Engr. Suasola showed us 5 items on what to improved about the given UI and for the last item it was where we applied the John Brooke's Method and I am the one who was tasked to do that part. As a group, I can say that we did pretty well and everyone contributed to the answers we came up with.

Ending the class with a groufie with Engr. Suasola <3

Earlier, today, August 20, 2024, we had a consultation with Engr. Suasola regarding the revisions from our last consulation. the citation of the Appendix in the Requirements Gathering section was approved! However, we still have a few tweaks to make, specifically in our Data Normalization. During the consulation, we were also reminded of our deliverables before midterm and were informed that our presentation after midterm will be crucial in demonstration our progress. It's a lot to work on, but we're on the right track!

It's clear that testing and quality assurance are more than just final steps in the software development process. They are continuous efforts that start early and are vital to delivering a successful product. I found the exploration of different testing methods enlightening, and it deepened my understanding of how comprehensive testing strategies lead to higher-quality software.

With our project work moving forward, it's a busy but rewarding time in SDE. We're to refine our revisions and prepare for what's next!

[altdigitaltechnologies]

Automation Testing - Alt Digital Technologies

Maintaining exceptional quality is a top priority in the race to deliver software faster. Automation testing has emerged as a game-changer, making it possible to balance rapid development with robust functionality. While manual testing provides a personal touch, automation testing handles repetitive tasks efficiently, thus saving time and resources.

In this guide, we will discuss the core principles of automation testing, its benefits, and the tools that make it so effective. Whether you are a beginner in software testing or an experienced professional looking to refine your skills, this guide will help you understand how automation testing can drive your software quality to the next level.

What is Automation Testing?

Automation Testing involves using specialized tools and scripts to automatically execute test cases, compare the actual results with the expected results, and generate reports. Unlike manual testing, which requires human intervention, automation allows for the execution of repetitive tests with minimal effort, making it ideal for regression testing, performance testing, and other repetitive tasks.

In automation testing, scripts are written to mimic user interactions with the application. These scripts can be reused across multiple test cycles, making the testing process faster, more reliable, and more scalable.

The Power of Automation Testing

Automation testing has become a key pillar of modern software testing strategies, offering numerous advantages over traditional manual testing. Here's why automation is indispensable in today's software development landscape:

Speed and Efficiency: Automated tests run much faster than manual testing. Therefore, more tests can be executed within less time. This helps in shortening the testing cycle and thus quickens the development process as a whole.

Consistency and Accuracy: Since there is no human factor, automation ensures that tests are performed in a consistent and repeatable manner with minimal opportunities for human error. The result is more accurate.

Reusability: Once the test scripts are prepared, they can be used repeatedly across multiple testing cycles and projects, thus saving a lot of money in the long term.

Scalability: Automated tests can be scaled up to handle high volumes of tests that would be too large for manual testers to cover. As software becomes increasingly complex, automated testing can easily scale to include more functionality.

CI/CD: Automation enables continuous testing of a CI/CD pipeline, thus allowing teams to catch bugs early in the development process and release updates more frequently.

Different Types of Automation Testing

Automation testing is not a one-size-fits-all. It encompasses multiple types of testing techniques that are suitable to different aspects of software development:

Regression Testing: It is one of the most common use cases for automation. It ensures that new code changes haven't introduced any defects into existing functionality.

Performance Testing: Automated tools can simulate multiple users interacting with an application simultaneously, which helps in assessing its performance, load capacity, and scalability under stress.

Functional Testing: Automation tools are used to run predefined test cases to ensure that an application's functionality functions as expected. This is an essential type of testing, given that the core functions of the software must be stable after updates or enhancements.

Smoke Testing: You can automate the running of a suite of simple tests that ensure the application is ready for more testing. It catches major problems in the development cycle early.

Acceptance Testing: Automated tests mimic the end-user interactions that test if the application meets the business requirements and is ready for release.

Integration Testing: This type of testing checks that different components of the software work as desired. Automated integration tests guarantee that changes in one section of the system do not harm other sections.

Automation Testing Tools

To reap maximum benefits from automation testing, using the right tools is critical. Here are some of the best tools that software teams are making use of today:

Selenium: One of the most used open-source tools for web application testing. Selenium supports multiple programming languages, such as Java, Python, and C#, and is generally used for automating browser interactions.

JUnit: A testing framework mainly for Java applications, JUnit is used to write and run repeatable tests. It's an essential tool for integration and unit testing.

TestComplete: This is a commercial testing tool with functional automation capabilities, offering support for a variety of platforms, such as desktop applications, web applications, and mobile applications.

Appium: A cross-platform mobile application automated tool, in which Appium allows its testers to write tests for Android and iOS devices using a single API.

Cucumber: A BDD tool to write tests. Cucumber allows the test writers to write tests in natural languages, making it easy to understand and share.

Postman: Primarily used for API testing, Postman helps automate requests to REST APIs, validating responses and ensuring proper integration of backend services.

Benefits of Automation Testing

Automation testing requires a one-time investment in tools and script development, but long-term benefits make it a worthwhile effort:

Faster Time-to-Market: Automation speeds up the testing process, thereby reducing the overall time taken to get a product to market.

Reduced Human Error: Automation eliminates the chance of human errors, thus ensuring that tests are executed consistently and accurately.

Cost Savings: Although creating automation scripts might take time, in the long run, automation saves time and money by not having to repeat the same thing manually.

Increased Test Coverage: Automated tests can cover more scenarios and run tests more frequently than manual testing, thus helping to identify bugs earlier in the development process.

Better Resource Use: Through automation, testers who otherwise would be tedious to focus on complex testing and exploration, while automatically taking over the redundant workloads.

Automation Testing Challenges

Although automation testing yields tremendous advantages, there are drawbacks as well that organizations need to know more about:

High One-Time Set-up Cost: Creating the right automation tools might cost significant amounts, specifically to set up and train teams together with having to develop some test scripts.

Maintenance Overhead: Automation scripts need to be updated from time to time in order to maintain their effectiveness in changing applications. Tests change just as the application does and sometimes this is expensive to do.

Not Suitable for All Test Cases: All tests cannot be automated. Some tests involve lots of dynamicity, use judgment, or are run so seldom that they may not make a good candidate for automation.

Technical Skills Required: Writing and maintaining automated test scripts requires knowledge of programming and test automation frameworks, which can be a barrier for some teams.

Best Practices for Automation Testing

To get the most out of automation testing, consider the following best practices:

Start Small: Begin with automating repetitive tests, such as regression tests, and gradually expand as you gain more experience.

Use Version Control: Store your automation scripts in a version control system like Git to track changes and ensure collaboration among team members.

Design Maintainable Tests: Write modular, reusable test scripts that are easy to maintain as your application changes over time.

Focus on High-Value Tests: Automate tests that are run frequently or involve large data sets to get the most benefit from automation.

Integrate with CI/CD: Integrate automation tests into your CI/CD pipeline to catch bugs early and improve the efficiency of your development process.

Conclusion

Automation testing is changing how we think about software quality. Automated tests save repetitive and tedious hours, making it easier for companies to have faster, more reliable testing of software products, with the consequent improvement in quality and speeding up of the time-to-market. Here at Alt Digital Technologies, we provide expert support for your organization's needs in automating your testing strategy and helping you scale. Our experienced team can take you from the initial tool selection through efficient script writing and integrating automation into your development workflow.

Contact us to help you unlock the full potential of automation testing and take your software quality assurance efforts to new heights.

[lazeecomet]

Thinking back on it, I did some really clever shit in my tenure as a field service engineer at the warehouse robotics company, that could have only worked because there were so many unsecured doors in the software

The V3s we had deployed when I first joined communicated with us over WiFi. We used Putty to remote in and run a long command to run the bootloader and start the main process

But you could also just run the main program without the long command. If you did that you could send opcodes to the motor controllers and get the wheels to turn or actuate functions. We were supposed to use this to run bench tests on test stands to ensure the robots were fit to put in production and home the motors

We did

But I also taught everyone how to send opcodes to manually drive the bots back to charging locations so we didnt have to push them. The only thing you had to be careful of was not putting a robot into production when it was running the program in the foreground as we called it. The long command to run in the background was needed as if you closed your putty window then the foreground program would stop

We did have someone crash a robot this way when they logged out while it was moving

But for being WiFi connected, this system was safer then you think as opcodes sent from a user could only be interpreted in foreground and system opcodes only received in background. Halting and restarting the program while the system was online would thow an error on the main command and control server that would put the robot out of service

Shit got wild when we upgraded to V4

Gone is the wifi in favor of 2.4 ghz radio. The robot also automatically runs the bootloader on power up. Foreground and background modes are a thing of the past. Now any commands sent on that radio channel, from the user or the command and control server, are accepted, no matter what

Granted, doing that while the system is on will desync the robot physically from what the system thinks is going on but it's smart enough to put the robot into ESTOP when the robot moves when it shouldn't

I however had different uses

There was several errors I encountered where I eventually diagnosed that the reason why a feature we had wasn't working was because the robot was given the opcode to move before it had been given the opcode to get ready to move

So the robot would try to move, fail to move, go Into ESTOP and then I'd step in. Id clear the estop on the robot locally with the estop clear opcode and send the opcode for getting ready to move. The robot, having gotten a command when it shouldn't, re-enters ESTOP and now everything is synced back up. I can now clear the estop normally and when the estop clears, the command server retries the last failed command. Now that the robot is ready to move, It drives away like nothing happened and operations resume

V5 shut down all my clever tricks. Maintenance mode is a physical switch that has to be pressed to do manually commands and pressing it power cycles the bot. Probably for the best tho

[follow-up-news]

The Internal Revenue Service is piloting a new program this year that aims to help Americans file their taxes directly to the government for free. Known as Direct File, the service will be open to certain filers in select states at the start so the IRS can test the program with a smaller group of users and make tweaks before opening it up to a larger group of taxpayers in the future. This year's tax season begins today, when the IRS begins accepting and processing tax returns. Last year, the IRS began developing a free tax filing service months after receiving an influx of $80 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden. [...] At the outset, only federal and state employees in certain tax situations will be eligible to participate in the Direct File pilot program, CNN reported. Additionally, the pilot will only be open to people who lived in these states in 2023: Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. The pilot is further limited by a user's tax situation. People who itemize their deductions, earn gig or business income, or claim certain tax credits aren't eligible to participate right now. The service is available in both English and Spanish. The IRS said it's starting with a limited number of users to follow software launch best practices and that it expects to gradually open up the program to more people and will provide updates about that process on its website.