Better Software Magazine Articles

Help Wanted: Hiring a Software Tester With an Agile Attitude

What can you do to ensure you hire a tester with an agile attitude? Lisa Crispin explains the approach her team used to find a new tester with both the right skills and the right attitude.

Lisa Crispin's picture Lisa Crispin
Three You Should Read

We're pleased to bring you technical editors who are well respected in their fields. Get their take on everything that relates to the industry, technically speaking. In this issue, our newest technical editor, Lee Copeland, discusses three books that have changed his life and encourages others to seek out literary inspiration of their own.

Lee Copeland's picture Lee Copeland
The Hard Truth about Soft Skills

Turn to The Last Word, where software professionals who care about quality give you their opinions on hot topics. This month, Esther Derby explains why interpersonal skills can do more than boost your popularity; they can help you excel in the workplace.

Esther Derby's picture Esther Derby
Remaining Relevant

Wondering how to maintain a competitive edge in this era of outsourcing and downsizing? Become an entrepreneur. Try managing your career as if it were a business, because in many ways it is. You will find your work more rewarding—and you'll increase your value to your employer.

Chad Fowler
2004 Salary Survey

Each year we ask you, the readers, to tell us about your job, your experience, and your compensation. We then present our findings in a format that makes it easy to compare yourself to your peers. Check it out.

Francesca Matteu's picture Francesca Matteu
A Strategic Approach - "Beta the Business"

Beta testing is an industry standard practice to obtain user feedback prior to general availability of software. Have you ever considered that the Beta release can be used to validate the software's value to customers and application users? Extending the Beta concept will result in higher customer satisfaction (and higher revenue for commercial products). Also, you can employ Beta testing to evaluate not only the software product, but the distribution (and sales) process, training, customer support, and usage within your customers' environments. Far beyond just finding defects in the product, you can focus Beta testing on how well the software is meeting your customers' needs. What does that mean to the Development team and the organization as a whole? What are the risks and challenges that we face? What are the rewards?

Pete Conway, EMC Corporation
My Mentor: The Internet

You've got no training budget. The old-timers in your organization are taking early-retirement packages. You know the basics, but feel like there's no one to teach you all the nuances of the trade. Have you considered turning to an unconventional mentor? Maybe the Internet? It sure worked for Danny Faught. Read all about how the Internet changed his career—-for the better.

Danny R. Faught's picture Danny R. Faught
A Fond Farewell

Get our technical editors’ take on everything that relates to the industry, technically speaking. In this issue, Esther Derby says farewell, but as she goes, she leaves some parting tips on writing.

Esther Derby's picture Esther Derby
Practical Career Advancement

A word from the Technical Editor

Brian Marick
When You're Tested

This article details interview behavior basics you should follow before, during, and after the interview. Jonathan Bach shares the secrets of putting your best foot forward when you're the one being tested.

Jon Bach's picture Jon Bach

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