Ghosts of Computers Past
Floppy disks, parallel printer cables, and the Amiga computer are all examples of this type of out-of-date system.
What are legacy systems?
In this swift installation process, the old system is stopped entirely and the new system is started immediately.
What is direct changeover?
This phase of testing is typically performed internally by testers who are employees at the developer's site.
What is alpha testing?
Clicking "close" instead of "save" or accidentally deleting the wrong file is an example of this specific cause of data loss.
What is human error?
Books, PDFs, websites, and videos that explain how to use the features of a system are all forms of this.
What is user documentation?
This software distribution model replaces traditional installation by delivering applications over the Internet, allowing third-party providers to shoulder the burden of security and performance.
What is SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)?
Though it is costly in terms of time and money, this installation process runs the old and new systems simultaneously so there is a backup if the new one fails.
What is parallel running?
Following internal tests, this testing phase is performed by the clients or end-users at their own location.
What is beta testing?
This condition is created within a database when the exact same piece of data is held in two separate places.
What is data redundancy?
This is the cheapest method of training because it only requires materials rather than teachers, but it leaves users at risk of feeling lost or ignoring certain features.
What is self-instruction?
This combination of two or more entities into one, such as ABC and Disney, can cause major software and language compatibility issues.
What is a merger?
This installation method introduces the new system in stages, gradually replacing parts of the old system so staff can get used to it.
What is phased conversion?
Also known as functional testing, this method treats the software as a mystery and evaluates its interfaces without knowing its internal code.
What is black-box testing?
The capability to automatically and seamlessly switch over to a highly reliable backup system upon the failure of a primary server.
What is a failover system?
This method of delivering user training is effective for training large amounts of staff in a structured environment, though it lacks personalization and has a rigid schedule.
What are formal classes?
Installing one of these provides fixes for software problems found by other users, preventing those same problems from happening on your computer.
What is an update?
This process tests the new system with a small subset of the organization, ironing out all the bugs before it is rolled out to everyone else.
What is pilot running?
Proofreading code or having an IDE check your syntax without executing the program is an example of this kind of testing.
What is static testing?
The process of moving data across systems, which can be as simple as using a USB drive or as complex as moving large international databases.
What is data migration?
Using Skype or Google Hangouts to connect users with a professional is an example of this highly effective, tailored training method.
What is remote/online training?
Combining systems across international borders, using the "$" symbol can cause problems because it might represent US Dollars or a country's currency, which is worth significantly less.
What is social and ethical issue when merging two international systems?
The biggest disadvantage of direct changeover is that if the new system fails, an organization is left without this.
What is a fallback (or backup)?
This automated software engineering approach builds, tests, and releases software in short cycles so it can be reliably released at any time.
What is continuous delivery?
During data migration, moving data from this structure to a flat file, or from an array to a linked list, can cause data structure differences.
What is a table?
Because end-users are non-technical people, user documentation does not include detailed explanations of this.
What is how the system works?