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Hooray for Coding Fun! A Big Thank You to Sarah and the Awesome Lyndhurst STEM Club for Girls!

19/6/2023

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In today's super cool world of technology, coding and programming are like magical powers that can make awesome things happen. Coding is like a wild rollercoaster ride of fun and creativity! It's a superpower that lets you create awesome things using your imagination and technology. You won't believe the amazing feeling when you see your ideas come to life as cool games, websites, or even robots!

Let's give a high-five to Sarah from the Lyndhurst STEM Club for Girls! She's a rockstar who sent us a link to a Glossary of Coding and Programming Terms—a treasure chest of knowledge just for us coders! This magical glossary will help us understand all those fancy words that programmers use. Thanks a million, Sarah! You've made our coding journey even more awesome, and we're incredibly grateful for your generosity. Now we can all be coding wizards!

STEM Clubs are like secret hideouts for young geniuses like you! They're places where we can come together, make friends, and explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Lyndhurst STEM Club for Girls is one of many such clubs inspiring kids and helping us unleash our coding superpowers. Let's give a big cheer for STEM Clubs!

Wishing Sarah and the Lyndhurst STEM Club for Girls a Super-Duper Coding Summer! As summer arrives, we hope it brings you endless coding adventures, creativity explosions, and mind-blowing projects. May your summer be filled with excitement and discoveries that make your coding dreams come true. You're all stars in our coding universe, and we can't wait to see the incredible things you'll create!
​
Learning to code is like stepping into a world of endless possibilities and unlimited fun. So, let's put on our coding capes, unleash our imaginations, and get ready for an amazing coding adventure this summer and beyond! You're all coding rockstars!
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AI generated test example: PyAutoGUI

3/6/2023

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After playing with the code for the last post a bit, a colleague asked how hard it would be to do the same with a random python library. A quick search turned up PyAutoGUI, which seems ok.

Popping open the last chat that was used to generate the code for the previous post, and simply asking it to "Ok, now generate a python script to use the gherkin test case. Use the pyautogui library."

This generates:
​
test_runner.py

    
Hmm, now I just need to build a test library that will test AI generated tests.....
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Enhancing Traditional GUI Testing with AI

1/6/2023

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In the fast-paced world of software development, functional GUI testing plays a critical role in ensuring seamless user experiences. While traditional GUI testing approaches have been effective, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought a new wave of possibilities to enhance and optimize the testing process. How can AI elevate traditional GUI testing? What are the benefits of utilizing test cases generated by AI. I'll give an example prompt and demonstrate how an AI can generate test cases to streamline the testing process.

The Power of AI
Artificial Intelligence introduces a range of advancements that augment traditional GUI testing, enabling more efficient and effective processes. Rather than replacing traditional methods, AI serves as a valuable ally, complementing and enhancing existing practices. AI can leverage Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms to generate Gherkin-style test cases, further streamlining the testing process.

To demonstrate the power of AI, let's consider an example prompt:

"Write gherkin test cases to validate the login functionality."

The prompt produces structured test cases that describe the login functionality. Here's an example of test cases generated by the AI:
Login test case

    
AI-powered Execution and Analysis
With these test cases in hand, an existing test library like watir can be integrated seamlessly. With a few more prompts like, "Now generate the ruby code to run this test using the watir library. Use the page object pattern, and separate the code into the correct files. Use a test_params.yaml file to store the variables like urls, usernames, passwords, etc."

Here is what we get:
test_parameters.yaml

    
login_page.rb

    
login_steps.rb

    
test_runner.rb

    
It even generated some helpful instructions:
instructions.txt

    
Conclusion
While there is still some setup and configuration to do, we can see that AI brings a wealth of opportunities to enhance traditional GUI testing practices. By generating some of the basic test cases we can focus effort on doing the non-standard tests, poking around where we know the bugs hide. 

Integrating AI with existing GUI testing libraries allows for automated uses of the generated test cases. 
​
Embracing AI in GUI testing is a powerful tool in our QA bag of tricks. So, let's embrace the potential of AI and unlock a new era of GUI testing!
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Tools I use: Mouse without borders

1/5/2023

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Hey there, multi-device multitasker! Are you tired of juggling multiple mice and keyboards while working on multiple computers? Well, say hello to Mouse without Borders! In this article, we'll explore how to set up and use Mouse without Borders on Windows to effortlessly control multiple computers. Let's get started!

Download and Install
First things first, let's grab Mouse without Borders. Visit the official Microsoft Garage website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/garage/project-details.aspx?project=mouse-without-borders) and download the installer for Windows. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on each computer you want to connect.

Configuration
After installation, launch Mouse without Borders on each computer. You'll be prompted to choose if the computer is the main (server) or secondary (client) computer. Select the appropriate option for each machine accordingly.

Set Up Security Code
To ensure secure communication between your computers, Mouse without Borders requires a security code. On the main computer, you'll see a security code displayed. Make a note of it. Then, on each secondary computer, enter the security code to establish the connection.

Arrange Computers
Once the connection is established, you can arrange the computers based on their physical placement. Drag and drop the computer icons on the Mouse without Borders main screen to reflect their physical layout.

Control Multiple Computers
Congratulations! You can now control multiple computers using a single mouse and keyboard. Simply move your mouse cursor to the edge of the screen in the direction of the desired computer, and it will seamlessly transition to that machine. You can now use your keyboard and mouse on the selected computer.

Drag and Drop
With Mouse without Borders, you can effortlessly drag and drop files and folders between connected computers. Just drag the file or folder to the edge of the screen, and it will move to the adjacent computer. It's like magic!

Clipboard Sharing
Need to copy and paste text or files between computers? Mouse without Borders has got you covered! Copy the text or file on one computer, move the mouse to the other computer, and paste it there. It's a breeze.

That's it! You're now enjoying the convenience of controlling multiple computers using Mouse without Borders. But wait, there's more!

Settings and Preferences
Mouse without Borders offers various settings and preferences to customize your experience. Explore the options to configure features like keyboard shortcuts, mouse behavior, and more.

Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues during the setup or connection process, refer to the Mouse without Borders documentation or support resources for troubleshooting tips and solutions.

Now you can bid farewell to the hassle of managing multiple mice and keyboards. Embrace the simplicity and efficiency of Mouse without Borders as you effortlessly navigate between multiple computers with a single mouse and keyboard. Happy multitasking!
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Tools I use: insomnia

15/4/2023

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Hey there, tech enthusiast! Are you tired of the hassle that comes with testing APIs? Well, fret no more because Insomnia is here to save the day! In this article, we'll explore how to use Insomnia to simplify your API testing process on Windows. Let's get started!

Download and Install
First things first, let's grab Insomnia. Head over to the official Insomnia website (https://insomnia.rest/) and download the Windows installer. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your machine. Easy-peasy!

Create a Workspace
After installation, launch Insomnia. You'll be greeted with the option to create a new workspace. Workspaces in Insomnia are like containers for your API testing projects. Create a workspace and give it a meaningful name.

Add Your First Request
Now that you have a workspace, it's time to add your first API request. Click the "+ New Request" button in the top-left corner. A new request tab will appear. Here, you can enter the details of the API you want to test, such as the URL, HTTP method (GET, POST, etc.), headers, and request body.

Organize with Requests and Folders
As your API testing efforts grow, you might want to organize your requests into folders. You can create folders within your workspace to categorize and structure your requests logically. Right-click on the workspace or an existing folder and choose "New Folder" to create one.

Authorization and Environment Variables
Insomnia allows you to handle authorization and environment variables effortlessly. If your API requires authentication, you can specify the authorization type (e.g., Bearer Token, Basic Auth) and provide the necessary credentials. Additionally, you can define environment variables to store values that change across different requests or environments.

Send Requests and View Responses
Now it's time to unleash the power of Insomnia! Click the "Send" button to fire off your API request. Insomnia will show you the response details, including the status code, headers, and response body. You can also save the responses for future reference or share them with your team.

Organize and Export
Insomnia provides handy features to organize and export your API testing efforts. You can create folders, move requests, and even duplicate or delete them as needed. Furthermore, you can export your workspace or individual requests as JSON files to easily share them or back them up.

That's it! You're now on your way to becoming an Insomnia pro. But hold on, there's more!

Environment and Team Collaboration
Insomnia allows you to create different environments for various setups (e.g., development, staging, production) and switch between them effortlessly. You can also collaborate with your team by syncing workspaces using services like Insomnia Sync or exporting and importing workspace files.

Extensions and Plugins
Insomnia supports extensions and plugins, which can enhance its functionality even further. Explore the available extensions, such as code generation or automatic documentation, to streamline your API testing workflow.

Now that you have a solid understanding of how to use Insomnia, you can test APIs with ease, boost your productivity, and ensure the smooth functioning of your applications. Happy testing, and may your APIs always return 200 OK!
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Tools I use: Espanso

1/4/2023

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​Hey there! Are you tired of typing the same long phrases over and over again? Well, have no fear because espanso is here! Here is a quick into on how to set up and use espanso on Windows, so you can save time and effort with your typing. Let's dive in!

What is espanso, you ask? It's an open-source text expander that allows you to create abbreviations for frequently used phrases or snippets of text. When you type an abbreviation, espanso automatically expands it into the full text, saving you from repetitive typing.

Download and Install
Head over to the official espanso website (https://espanso.org/) and grab the Windows installer. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Easy peasy!

Configuration
Once you've installed espanso, it's time to configure it to your liking. Don't worry; it's a breeze! Open a command prompt or PowerShell window and type `espanso edit`. This will open the configuration file in your default text editor.

Create your first expansion
In the configuration file, you'll see a section called `matches`. This is where you define your abbreviations and the corresponding expansions. For example, if you often type "omw" and want it to expand into "On my way!", simply add the following lines:
base.yml

    
Feel free to add as many expansions as you like. Just make sure to follow the format and indentation. Don't forget to save the file once you're done.

Start espanso
Return to the command prompt or PowerShell window and type `espanso start` to launch espanso. You'll see a small icon in your system tray indicating that espanso is running.

Test it out
Now comes the fun part! Open any text editor, word processor, or even a browser. Type your abbreviation, such as "omw," and marvel as it instantly expands into "On my way!" Voila! You just saved yourself some precious keystrokes.

That's all there is to it! You're now a master of espanso on Windows. But wait, there's more!

Advanced configuration
If you want to take things to the next level, espanso offers advanced features like conditional expansions, dynamic variables, and even regular expressions. Check out the espanso documentation (https://espanso.org/docs/) for more information on these exciting options.

Sync your configurations
Want to use espanso on multiple devices? No problem! You can synchronize your espanso configurations across devices using cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive. Just make sure to point espanso to the synchronized configuration file.

So, there you have it! With espanso on your side, you can save time, avoid typos, and become a typing wizard. Enjoy the benefits of this fantastic text expander and let it do the heavy lifting for you. Happy typing!
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Congratulations and thank you!

16/6/2021

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It is great to hear from people that have found this site helpful. At the end of the day, my goal with injinia is to help whomever and wherever I can.

Over the last year and a bit there have been a lot of changes not only in our work environments but also our kids schooling and after school activities. I know my family has had to adapt, learn, and change a lot! My Work hasn't changed too much, as I've been working remote for a while, but I have been able to use the knowledge and experience to help other teams and groups with their remote transition.

I've heard from a number of groups over the past little while that finding resources for kids to add to their learning and continue being engaged is a bit of a challenge. While we have done some home and online schooling with our own kids, the changes that have happened over the last year have made it hard for my kids to participate in a lot of the group activities and after school events that they were part of. So it has been great to hear from different groups to find out how they have been able to move their groups from in person to virtual and how they are continuing to provide community and instruction to kids and keep them engaged.

One group, the Brownie Scouts' of Kellytown, has been working on their "Coding Basics" badges at home, congratulations! This is a great example of how leaders like Girl Scout Troop leader Andrea have been able to adapt and continue with learning and engaging even though there are changes in everything! Maybe there should be some 'Adapting to Change' badges given out! Her Brownie Scouts wanted to share some resources and a great overview of popular programming languages that they found helpful in their at work at home. Have a look at the links page to see their recommendations. As Andrea pointed out, learning to code offers so many developmental and career benefits, it is great to see kids learning and passing on what they have learned to others.

Thanks for that recommendation, this will be a great help for others as well. Keep up the great work Andrea the Kellytown Brownie Scout troop!

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Toolset roundup

19/3/2020

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What tools/programs do I use in day-to-day dev and testing?

With the recent surge in remote work, I've been in contact with a lot of testers and developers over the last couple of weeks, and have ended up sending out a list of things I use a few times. Over the years of testing many different things, working with different companies with different budget models, and doing personal projects, I've come up with a set of tools that works for me for almost all of the situations I find myself in.

One thing to note, I do like free tools, but I also like to support the developers of tools that I regularly rely on, so if I list a free tool here, I have probably bought the developer a coffee or two, paid for a support license, or made some sort of donation to them. I am not affiliated with or getting referrals or kick-backs from any of these tools.

software and hardware tools

software
  • VSCodium
  • espanso
  • ​Greenshot
  • Insomnia
  • OBS Studio
  • Mouse without borders
  • PowerToys
  • Wally
  • slack
  • Microsoft Teams
  • WhatsApp
  • Signal
  • ​Foxit
  • 7-Zip
  • WinMerge
  • GnuWin
hardware
  • logitech G602
  • ZSA Moonlander Mark 1
  • logitech c922
  • Plantronics Blackwire 725

I'll be posting shortly about how I setup and use each of these

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Kid's coding!

6/3/2020

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It is always great to hear about kids learning new things and discovering new skills. I just received a note about a kid learning interested in programming, and would like to give him a shout out, Hi Dylan!

​When I was growing up I got the chance to learn some coding with my older brother. We had a Commodore VIC-20 and were able to program in the BASIC programming language. It was tedious, not documented well, and was very unfriendly to learn. Now days there are a lot of languages geared for kids learning to program. It is a great skill to have, and the nature of programming can be applied to many different life areas and problems.

Dylan wanted to share a link to some more information about programming that is specifically geared for kids.  One of those links is to the scratch language, it is a great system, and my kids have all had a go at it and had a lot of fun. Thanks Dylan! Thanks also to Barbara and the whole class at SLCCN! 
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Happy Friday

21/10/2016

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Happy Friday!

If anyone is in Calgary the first discussion in our Automation Series is coming up and we'd love to see you there.
Join the SQDG at 12:00PM on Thursday, October 27th, to learn more about automation and to share your automation experiences with us as well!
 
The meeting will be held at Bow Valley square, our new home for the season (Thanks Oildex!), at noon on October 27th.
 
What
SQDG discussion around automation, the first discussion in the series.
 
Where
205 5 Ave SW, Calgary
3rd floor, Mezzanine Level, in the Angus room
 
When
Thursday October 27th at 12 noon
 
Register
https://sqdg.typeform.com/to/IZzZ71
 
If you would like to join in with ongoing discussions within the group, you can join us on slack or LinkedIn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1884463
Slack: https://sqdg.slack.com (register for the sqdg channel https://sqdg.typeform.com/to/nFCfk4)
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    Author

    Hi, my name is Clancey and I am a quality advocate, agile coach, scrum master, automator, and toolsmith.

    I help companies with agility and quality. To do this I end up automating a lot of things, functional testing and workflows being some of them.

    Clancey McNeal CTSM, CSM, A-CSM
    Getting started with ruby automation series
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