Google Cloud Termination Email

Recently I was test Google Cloud to see how it compares to the features of Amazon Web Services. This was using a self training program that I did for work.

I created a personal account so that I had more flexibility.

I only used Google Cloud during the trial period and was not required to put in a card for the trial - which was good because I really didn’t have any intentions to make a purchase.

A couple of weeks later I get this email:

Text of the email:

Why QA Failes

This email sounds very threatening and somewhat demanding. I had no files in the Google Cloud.

Why mention, "pay all amounts past due" when there wasn't anything to payback? I was using it during the allowed trial period.

Once someone is done with the trial, or if I feel that it isn’t for them, there should be a way to cancel.

I never got a "Termination" email from Amazon Web Services. My account was just moved to the AWS Free Tier.

QA Memes that Sum up 2021

These are the Six QA memes that pretty much sum up 2021.

Romantic Candlelight Dinner…

http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics//ProductionBug.jpg

Working from Home means that you’re always on the clock. There’s nothing like getting a critical text message or phone call of an issue in Production.

Added Logging

http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics//log4jMeme.png

December was looking quiet until the log4j issue blew up. Who knew that having logging could cause some vulnerabilities? Logging in Production used to be good, not anymore.

Using Jira doesn't make you agile

http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics//JiraAgile.jpg

Where I work, Agile sprints are sometimes confused with Waterfall sprints. You can be productive using Agil, just make sure to stick with the program.

Modern Testing Meme

http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics//ModernTestingGraphic.jpg

This year I learned a lot about Modern Testing and how it can help improve the sprint velocity of any team. Modern Testing moves the ownership of testing to Developers where QA focuses on Quality.

Stand Back "Back to the Future" - Testing in Production

http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics//meme-stand-back-test-in-production.jpg

Lots of testing in Production in 2021 - at least on various projects that I worked on this year. There’s so much risk of testing code in Production - but sometimes you don’t have that choice.

Going to QA

http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics//GoingToQA.jpg

In 2021, getting code to QA is a big deal. Developers seemed to be confident that if it passed code review, it should have smooth sailing in QA. That wasn't always the case as QA tend to test functionality more than logic.

Send it to QA, what could possibly go wrong?

QA Meme Additions

Here’s this month’s Meme collection for Quality Assurance testing. Enjoy,

Make sure to check out all the QA Memes collection in the QA Graphic Library.

Yes, You Are Correct
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/YesCorrect.jpg

Bernie Sanders asking for AWS to be back up
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/BernieSandersAWS.jpg

Release Moratorium
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/ReleaseMoratorium.jpg

The Scroll of the Truth
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/ScrollofTruth.jpg

LogJam in Early 2021
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/ChangeMyMindLogJam.png

Homer is Happy Dev is Ready
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/WooHooDevisReady2021.jpg

QA Memetober #4

Here's the final entry for QA Memetober. There are four more included in the QA Graphic Library.

Happy Release Day
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/2021/HappyReleaseDay.jpg

Moments before a Release
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/2021/MomentsBeforeRelease.jpg

Bug Free Build
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/2021/BugFreeBuild.jpg

QA Test Cycle
http://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/2021/QACycle.jpg

Remember to check out all the QA Memes in the QA Graphic Library. (Quite Possibly the Largest QA MEME collection online!)

QA Memtober #3

Here are some Meme type images that I created for this week's edition of Memetober.

You're Still Here?

What is the Expected Result?

What is the Expected Result?

Tested Using Google Incognito Mode

Testing Code Meme

This week's "Memetober" theme is "Testing code when it gets to QA" and dealing with the "Test Case Repository"

QA Memetober

On Tuesdays in October, I'll post 2 QA Memes. These will be practical memes that I use on a frequent basis. The goal is to focus on quality content, and not just throw up a bunch of graphics.

Good Luck with Your Testing

Ready for QA

September QA Memes

Here's the traditional addition to the QA Graphic Library.

https://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/september2021/CodeFreezeTime.jpg

https://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/september2021/QAHomerSimpson.jpg

https://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/september2021/ReleaseDayTomorrow.jpg

https://www.cryan.com/qa/graphics/september2021/TimeForTesting.jpg

Be sure to check out the library for additional graphics added this month.

QA Fail: Storrowing

Storrowing is the term that locals use to describe a truck being on Storrow Drive and hitting a bridge.

The term "Storrowing" was first mentioned in the Boston Globe in an article in August 2016.

There are plenty of warning signs and low-clearance bars before the bridges - letting truckers know that they should not be on that stretch of road.

When trucks are stalled under a bridge they cause serious traffic nightmares. Massachusetts State Police has to come out to check the situation and help cleanup the road and get the truck out of the way.

Situation is Getting Worst

In August 2021, 34 trucks were caught on Storrow Drive - with many of the trucks being damage due to the low clearance.

In past years:

• 2019 - there was only one truck
• 2017 - there were 4 trucks
• 2016 - there were no trucks.

Note: A "storrowing" year is from August 1st to July 31st of the following year. So this year is from August 1st, 2021 to July 31, 2022.

5 Reasons QA Fails the Clearance Signs

Storrowing happens just about every year. The locals know that it peaks in August/September when college students move into their apartments.

Local Uhaul rental establishments have signs at the register warning people not to drive ib Storrow Drive or Memorial Drive. This is due to the low bridges.

In Boston, failing to follow the "Danger Low Clearance" signs is a $150 offense - plus the expense of moving the truck off of Storrow Drive.

Clearly the signs, warnings, and fines are not catching the attention of truck drivers. Both residential and commercial trucks try to go down Storrow Drive.

The situation is such a local taboo, that Trillium Beer has a special IPA brew called Storrowed.

Massachusetts State Police catches a truck trying to get on Storrow Drive.

Any Solution?

Time for a Change Up - I would suggest changing up the signs/warnings. Clearly they are getting ignored.

Dummy Bridge - The low-clearance bar isn't working. Perhaps a dummy bridge should be placed near the on-ramps so that truckers are more aware of the situation. Allow them to turn off the road instead of creating a situation where they have no choice but to try to pass underneath the bridge.

Learn from people trying - Talk to drivers on why they didn't see the signs and what type of sign would have them think twice before going down the road.

In vehicle Radio Warning Signal - In Uhaul trucks have some in-cabin warning system that the truck is approaching a bridge with low clearance. This would work similar to how the E-ZPass system works.

QA Fail: Poland Spring Bottle Return

In New England, if you drinking bottled water, chances are your drinking Poland Spring. We use the 5-gallon hard plastic bottles at home. These are a great way to drink delicious Poland Spring water and not harm the environment.

While we do have Poland Spring deliver bottles to our house, every once in a while, I have to get a new bottle because we drink more water than planned.

Our local Stop and Shop has Poland Springs water, and if you bring an empty container, you get a discount on the water. Simply put the old empty container in a bin and take the ticket to buy a new bottle.

QA Fail

The problem with this process is that the return bin doesn't always dispense a ticket. After putting the bottle in the bin, I have to go to the Stop & Shop Service Desk and ask for a ticket.

The service desk is usually busy - people buying lottery tickets or they are busy handling returns and complaints.

Stop & Shop doesn't check to see if I actually return a bottle, they just take my word. I wouldn't lie, but anyone can say they returned a bottle to save about $5 on a container.

The machine has been broken at several Stop & Shop stores for at least a year. It's not a particular problem with the nearby store.

Practical Solution

These machines are maintained by Poland Spring, they should fix them up to encourage people to return the bottles.

Stop & Shop should put up a sign in the Bottle Return area and have people return them to the front desk.

One Side Note

When people are buying bottles there's nothing to encourage them to return the bottle back. There's no sign at the point of purchase or on the bottles themselves.