Why We Still Love Testing

So things that bring us joy.

Russell, you proposed this.

You said it was something to do with this thing in the sky that you don't normally see.

The sun, I think it is.

Yes.

As a northerner in England, which is, you know, above Leeds, just to be clear for people.

It's something we don't see very often.

We don't have a very wet area, but at the moment it's not very sunny.

So I think it's the first time the last two days I've seen sunshine this year.

And it made me actually happy, joyful.

It brought a smile to my sad, frowny northern face.

It inspired me to think, what brings me joy in testing? What's out there that sort of makes me happy? What brings a smile to my face? And all those sorts of things.

And if I'm starting this off...

I think ultimately it's, I guess, professional pride.

I think it's one of the things that I've helped make software that people have bought, used or other things better.

Is it more functional, more valuable, more working? And I've done that by testing it myself, but also enabling others, helping others and that sort of thing.

And that is probably my ultimate joy.

is actually being able to know that thing I'm working on or with, I've helped make the people that use its experience better.

And, you know, in measurable ways at times where you can think back to what you found, how it wasn't going to work or how it might mischarge someone.

And actually, because you've tried something odd and unusual, you found this anomaly and then be able to kind of tell people about it and advocate for a better word to get it fixed.

Or improved.

And I think I get a lot of joy from doing that, but also helping people do that better in general, be it developers or anyone else.

Just actually improving quality is kind of a joyous thing for me.

I am sad at times, but I do find that good.

Quite general, I appreciate.