T e s t W o r k s
S o f t w a r e I n s t a l l a t i o n L i s t ( S I L )
M o n t h l y U s e r s ' M e m o
13 September 1999
The Software Installation List (SIL) Monthly Users' Memo is emailed to all
current and prospective TestWorks(tm) users at the beginning of each month.
It contains information about current releases of our TestWorks product line,
about new product versions that you can download or request, technical
improvements to the product line, announcement of new products and
capabilities, and other matters of concern to TestWorks users.
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Contents:
1. Password Access for TestWorks Users Area
2. CAPBAK/Web Update
3. eValid Test Services Offered
4. QWE'99 Keynote Speakers
5. Technical Point Of Contact (Repeat Item)
6. TestWorks Contact Information
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1. Password Access for TestWorks Users Area
Our WebSite now has a TestWorks Users area that has restricted access.
Access to this area is now controlled by password.
The material in this TestWorks Users' area consists of:
o A complete archive of copies of this Monthly SIL memo
o The archive of miscellaneous technical support questions and answers.
This is a structured collection of previously sent questions and
answers dealing with all kinds of applications issues with TestWorks.
o The TestWorks "Help and Troubleshooting" area. This has prepared
responses to many of the technical questions involved in TestWorks
operation and use.
o Miscellaneous technical material relating to TestWorks operation and
use.
The TestWorks Users restricted area is reached from this URL:
As part of the login process you will be asked for the password of the
month (see below), for your CID (Customer ID; see the Subject line of this
Email), and for your current Email address.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For the month of
September 1999
The TestWorks User Area password is:
coast
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We will send you the password for next month in the next SIL Emailing (like
this one). To assure uninterrupted access, the TestWorks Users's Area
password for any month will apply through the end of the next month.
Please send Email to in case you encounter any difficulty.
2. CAPBAK/Web Update
CAPBAK/Web is a fully featured Web Browser (based on IE 4.n or 5.n) that is
test enabled. It records and plays user sessions in both true-time AND
object mode. Scripts recorded with actual user-level delays are played
back at the same speed. Scripts created manually (or edited from live
recordings) can play back at varying speeds.
* The latest build of CAPBAK/Web [IE] Ver. 1.5 for 31 August 1999 is now
available. This release includes:
> Full support for frames.
> A new feature that lets you record timer requests directly in the
keysave file.
> Improved playback error messages and a more comprehensive event
log.
> Support for the SELECT type of option in a FORM.
> Support for TEXTAREA in a FORM.
> Error checking during Validate Selected Text that shows when the
text area crosses a component boundary or includes an image (this
prevents recording attempts to Validate Selected Text that will
nearly certainly fail on playback).
> A new option to open all four dialog boxes simultaneously.
> A new -B switch that suppresses license popups that can sometimes
block long-term (e.g. 24 hour) playbacks.
> Improved interface support to SMARTS, CAPBAK/Web's regression suite
controller.
You can download the current release of CAPBAK/Web at:
To get a new license key send Email to licenses@soft.com or use the
form on our WebSite at:
If you already have a current license key it will work with the new
version. If your current key does not work you will have to renew it;
send email to .
* White Paper: For some information about how CAPBAK/Web came about, you
may want to look at the White Paper "WebSite Testing" at:
Please contact for details.
2. eValid Test Services Offered
Concurrently with our introduction of CAPBAK/Web Test Enable Web Browser
(see below) we are introducing a family of standard software Testing
Service based on use of CAPBAK/Web. These test services are being marketed
under the name "eValid".
A summary of the eValid test services can be found at:
Briefly, eValid Test Services are organized to be run from 1, 4 or 6
geographic areas, with repetition intervals of from every 15 minutes to
every 4 hours.
eValid Test Services are aimed at web masters and/or IT executives who need
detailed information about various capabilities of their websites. All
eValid data measurements are kept on our WebSite for detailed examination.
Alerts -- either email messages or pager messages -- are issued
automatically whenever there are failures.
Here is a summary of current available eValid test services:
* eValid BenchMark Testing Service. This service examines 1-6 URLs, or
6-12 URLs, checked and timed on standard intervals. The customer
decides the maximum acceptable time threshold -- if the threshold
value is exceeded, alerts are sent.
See the description of the BenchMark Testing Service at:
* eValid Security Testing Service. The test sequence attempts to login
to your secure area and confirms the login was rejected. This is
followed by a valid login and confirmation of acceptance.
See the description of the Security Testing Service at:
* eValid Transaction Testing Service. This test sequence does an e-
commerce transaction, and attempts to make a purchase with an invalid
credit card, and confirms rejection of the transaction.
See the description of the Transaction Testing Service is at:
* eValid SpotCheck Testing Service. Up to 6 URLs are checked for
specific content -- up to 6 specified areas on each URL -- using
CAPBAK/Web's "validate selected text" feature. Alerts are given when
the selected contents change from the established baseline.
See the description of the SpotCheck Testing Service at:
We offer free 2-week trial evaluations of these test services to qualified
customers.
If you are interested in learning more about our eValid Test Services
please send your request to
4. QWE'99 Keynote Speakers Announced
The keynote speakers for the 3rd international Quality Week Conference, 1-5
November 1999, Sheraton Hotel, Brussels, Belgium EU, deliver talks focused
on summarizing important lessons learned about software quality.
For copies of extended abstracts, please go to:
Lessons Learned: European Software Technology by Mr. Rainer Zimmerman,
European Commission
Since 1985 Mr. Zimmerman has been involved in the EC, Task Force, ESPRIT
CIM and Information Technologies, and he became a co-ordinator of ESSI
program; Since 1994 Head of Sector for ESSI in the Software Systems and
Software Best Practice Unit. In 1995, he is the head of Sector for the
IDA program, in III/B5, European Telematics Networks and Systems head of
Unit of DGII B 6, Industry, Unit for European telematics networks and
systems -- IDA. Since July 1999, he is head of Unit of DG XIII F2,
Information Society, Unit for Technologies and engineering for software,
systems and services.
Lessons Learned: Test Process Improvement
by Mr. Martin Pol, IQUIP Informatica BV
Martin Pol, with more that 25 years experience in the information
business, has worked at IQUIP Informatica since 1991. He was involved
in the development of the structured testing approach, TMap. Martin Pol
is the co-author of three (Dutch) books on TMap, was Program Chair of
the EuroSTAR conference in 1996 ad 1007 and is chairman of the Dutch
Special Interest Group in Software Testing, TestNet. Recently he
received the "European Testing Excellence Award" for his contribution to
the field of testing across Europe.
Lessons Learned: The State of the Art in OO Testing
by Mr. Robert Binder, RBSC Corporation
Robert V. Binder has over 22 years of software development experience.
He is President of RBSC Corporation, providing consulting and training
in software engineering and software process improvement since 1984. He
is author of "Application Debugging" and "Testing Object-Oriented
Systems". He writes a regular column on testing for "Object" magazine.
His articles have appeared in many high profile magazines. He is the
Chair of a newly formed study group to develop an IEEE standard for
built-in test for object-oriented software.
Experienced-Based Approaches to Process Improvement
by Mr. Otto Vinter, Bruel & Kjaer
Otto Vinter is managing a Software Technology department at Bruel &
Kjaer. He is currently responsible for CEC sponsored projects to
improve the development process and has also been active in defining
software engineering standards, procedures, and methods to be employed
at Bruel & Kjaer. He has managed software development projects for 25+
years; with Bruel & Kjaer, the Danish branch of Control Data
Corporation, and with Regnecentralen. He has given public seminars, been
associate teacher for BSc. level education in Computer Science, and is
an active participant in Danish software-knowledge exchange groups.
New Technology: Control Flow Animation as a Means of Class Testing
by Mr. Harry Sneed, Sneed Consulting
Harry Sneed's work has been with the U.S. Navy Department, the
Volkswagen Foundation, the SZAMOK and SZKI Institutes in Hungary, the
Union Bank of Switzerland, a German Software House, and as an ESPRIT
Research Consultant. Currently, he is working as a tool developer for an
Austrian Software House developing OO-Software for banks in Vienna. He
has published more than 100 technical articles and 11 books. Sneed has
developed more than 50 different Software Engineering Tools. He is
currently in the program committees of various international workshops
and conferences.
Seizing Control of the Development Lifecycle (QW99 Best Paper Award)
by Mr. Nick Borelli, Microsoft
Mr. Nick Borelli is currently a Group Test Manager at Microsoft
Corporation and is responsible for the World-Wide releases of the
award-winning application, Microsoft Word. Nick has over 15 years
experience in both Software Testing and Development and has worked in
both small start-ups such as Pensoft, Go and EO, as well as working at
Triad Systems, Apple and Software Publishing Corporation.
QWE99 is a great event that can't be missed. The Pre-Conference Tutorials
feature in-depth presentations by leading industry experts. The four-track
Technical Conference will provide the latest techniques and methods in
Tools & Technology, Applications & Solutions, and Process & Management.
Included in your registration are the Bonus Conferences on "European
Issues", "The Web" and "PIE/SPIE" and a comprehensive Tools Exhibition
complete with Vendor Presentations.
EVEN BETTER is the standard offer that TestWorks users receive a special
discount (use your CID number to qualify for the discount on the
registration form):
5. Technical Point Of Contact (TPOC) (REPEAT ITEM)
Our records show _you_ as the person acting as the Technical Point Of
Contact (TPOC) for TestWorks information for your organization. If that's
correct there's nothing to be done; you'll continue to receive this memo by
Email.
The TPOC is the main person in charge of receiving information about all
TestWorks products at your installation. This person might be your
system-admin or the TPOC might best be the test lead. There can be several
TPOC's for a TestWorks installation.
Please Email all changes, corrections, and additions to .
Please include your CID number in your Email.
6. TestWorks Contact Information
Software Research, Inc.
1663 Mission Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103 USA
Phone: +1 (415) 861-2800
Toll Free: +1 (800) 942-SOFT (USA Only)
FAX: +1 (415) 861-9801
Email: users@soft.com
WWW: <http://www.soft.com>