Jul182009

My 100th Post!

This is it. You’re reading it right now. Were you reading it in your favorite fast food chain, you’d win a free milkshake.

I really had no plans for my 100th post other than to announce that this is truly my 100th post since starting the blog in 2006. With the fanfare, I thought it’d be exciting to look back on a few of my favorite posts and add commentary about how the blog and I have changed since its inception.

In total I’ve found nine biggies. Link to the ones I’m forgetting in the comments.

1. Frist Post!!!!!!!!!11!!1!0!11!

You know how good first posts can be… :)

This one was actually my second, though I think it qualifies. Read at your own risk.

2. Third Post!

This one might honestly have something to it. Topics covered: “Agile as a marketing term.” “What does it mean to be Agile?” “Agile from a student’s perspective.” Actually made it onto a “Top 10 Agile Analogies” blog post from someone I don’t know personally. Sweet.

3. Ruby Subversion Bindings: You heard it here first.

These two posts — this one and this one — are the two posts that drive most of the traffic to my blog. Usually they drive more than half the unique visitors per month, and that’s simply because official documentation for the Ruby Subversion bindings doesn’t exist yet (to my knowledge). Now they’ve the top Google hit. Go figure. :)

4. The Beginning of “Tim Bits.”

This post is my reaction to the workshop where the first Tim-Bit was born. A bit dramatic, but still delicious.

5. AST Certification Debate

This was a hot button at CAST 2007. Five representatives of major software testing certification programs graciously agreed to a facilitated debate. I’m sure you can imagine the elephant tensions in the room once the AST members got a hold of their K-cards. ;)

6. CAST 2008

Hands down great professional experience. Response to CAST 2009 to come soon.

7. My Move to New York.

Though the blog doesn’t properly show it, the move was not at all what I expected — and it included a fictional misdemeanor on my credit report preventing me from getting an apartment. I am not a crook, guys. Sheesh! ;)

8. I start test managing!

Well… kindof. A good attempt in my context. I’m sure there’s a lot more to learn.

9. The Prestige

And last but not least: what I’d call my greatest post to date (i.e., well written, insightful… …modest. ;) ). This represented a round of both career and soul searching that ended in an extremely pleasant result. More on that to come very soon.

As always, a big thank you goes to all my readers.

http://www.oneofthewolves.com/2007/08/22/day-5-whoa/

Complete personal plug, I must admit, but a recent interview with Rob Sabourin and I just made it to the web! Check it out:

http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/software-quality/cast-2009-test-gurus-sabourin-coulter-preview-keynotes/

The author and interviewer was Mike Kelly, a director for the Association for Software Testing and a “sometimes independent testing consultant” working from the midwest. He interviewed Rob and I about our upcoming speech titled, “Tim Bits: What I Learned About Software Testing at CAST 2009,″ which will likely be the most exciting thing for me since that time I went skydiving. I can’t wait for the speech — and in fact, the whole conference! — and I look forward to seeing you all there.

From here:

The Association for Software Testing is pleased to announce its fourth annual conference, CAST 2009, to be held July 13-16. The meeting will be held in sporty Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the Antlers Hilton Hotel.  The Antlers Hilton offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak, which serve as a dramatic backdrop for this year’s theme: “Serving our Stakeholders“.

[...]

The CAST 2009 Program Committee is seeking proposals for papers and presentations that explain how testers can serve stakeholders. Both academic research papers and industrial experience reports are welcome.

In addition to presentations that demonstrate service to stakeholders, we’re looking for personal experience reports that clearly demonstrate skills and practices of seasoned software testing professionals. We are looking for rich, diverse experiences and ideas that illuminate the theme.

If you have hands-on experience, and a fascinating story to tell, contact us and we will assist you in evolving your tale so it will be ready to present at CAST.

Read the full CFP.

And if you check out the speakers list, you may just find someone you recognize. ;)