Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Get a load of users to all do someting at the same instant? -- Achieving simultaneous test startup: a simple method explained. 
• Can you record & play MS's new Outlook.com application? -- Tips on recording Outlook.com sessions. 
• Having Trouble Getting eValid Installed -- Standard installation troubleshooting steps. 
• I want to know what one would use eValid for? -- Some general constraints on using eValid.
• How can I chain multipe eValid tests together? -- How to string sets of tests into a sequence.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• You are loading 100 BUs -- All about timing the start up of 100 BUs on one machine. 
• Can eValid do anything with a page that chages all the time? -- Contending with inconsequential page changes? Here's how to... 
• About rendering details in a Mobile web app -- Why what's delivered is as important as how it appears. 
• How to record AJAX reliably? -- A simple, reliable test recording protocol with eValid. 
• How to look for a SQL-injection type error? -- The IndexFindElementEX command is key to finding "bad guy" patterns.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• What is the real difference between eValid and WebDriver? -- "Free" open-source vs. professionally supported products. 
• Do screen resize actions affect web application performance? -- For most applications, screen size is not an issue at all. 
• How easy is eValid to use? -- The advantages of eValid's "record now, play now" abilities. 
• A page that has a specified DOM property? -- Scanning pages to find specific details of the DOM is easy! 
• If I "Validate and sync" then I've validated automatically? -- Right on: to have validated is already to have synchronized.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Can you do functional test of Oracle CRM? -- Explanation of fully-worked Oracle CRM Example. 
• You have some patents, but exactly what does that mean? -- Some details about the eValid Patent Portfolio, now available for licensing. 
• How to get a good playback on an AJAX site? -- Tricks to optimize AJAX test playback reliability. 
• eValid's timings based on DOM data -- How to measure intra-session timings using DOM synchronization. 
• Can you guys monitor that my web app behaves correctly? -- Bringing monitoring of a balky web application under control.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Element focus commands show up in my script during recording -- Yes, they do, for safety. Here's why... 
• What about SalesForce? Does your stuff do it's magic there? -- Yes, as the demo shows, no problem at all. 
• Can eValid be used in web application security testing? -- Yes, and there are significant advantages to doing that. 
• What gives? Did the SalesForce application regress? -- When web pages change you may expect the script to detect that. 
• Where do you see things going in the future? -- Easy question: it will get worse before it gets better!

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Do a 100 Hz synchronization for an AJAX application -- Minimal overhead at 100Hz was the design point. 
• The text in an ElementFocus command -- Some curious phenomena about display settling time. 
• How does Adaptive Playback interact w/ AJAX synchronization -- You're OK in AJAX with A/P, even better than you'd think. 
• Adaptive Playback search every index on the page for a match -- Yes, if there are TWO matches there can be confusion. 
• What if I send an element click to the wrong frame? -- Sending a message to nowhere...produces no effect, no surprise! 

eValid License Level Changes

To provide support for additional editions of eValid, we have made some changes to the required feature key for some commands. These changes become effective with and for all versions of eValid after build #9319 (24 October 2013). See the V9 Feature Key Definitions for a description of STAN, PROF and PAGEMAP functionality, the only license features afected..

If you are currently running eValid with a license pack that includes the PAGEMAP feature key you will not notice any changes in eValid behavior. If your eValid license pack does not include PAGEMAP there may be some impact; if you experience a problem please contact us for a no-cost upgrade.
The Feature Level Changes Summary explains the changes that have been made.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Were do you guys stand in the context of mobile devices? -- Testing mobile web apps vs. testing mobile devices. 
• Why do some "depths" in the 3D-SiteMap show up as negative? -- Explanations about "above" and "below" the 3D-SiteMap root node. 
• Do evalid methods and tools apply to typical mobile devices -- The similary of function tests, independent of device type. 
• "Bulletproof" monitoring scripts using structual command -- Making everything ultra-reliable: pure structural tests. 
• Do you have a license scheme for me? -- Comments about eValid's licensing.

eValid Patent Portfolio Summary

Several people have asked recently about the newly completed eValid patent portfolio and what it means. As of 21 October the portfolio consists of five issued and one allowed (but not yet issued) patents. While there are several other patent applications pending, these five + one cover the main eValid technologies. FYI, here are the five issued eValid Patents and their associated claims.

If you're working in the general area of automated testing of web browser enabled applications then you may want to consider arranging for use of these technologies in your own products or services. Here is a description of the eValid Technology & Opportunities that are based on eValid technology. For additional information please contact SR's CEO Edward Miller by email at miller@software-research.com.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Some pivotal page in my website changes -- Notes about finding a pivot point for your structural tests. 
• Websites that refuse to deliver pages to you -- Conditions when the UAS setting induces failure. 
• The newly emerging W3C standard focused on WebDriver -- eValid vs. WebDriver: Similar technology, eValid was first. 
• eValid failed on my 64-bit machine...what gives? -- Installing on 64-bit Windows architectures. 
• To manipulate some values in my script -- Picking up timing values in the middle of a playback. 

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Can eValid validate the contents of a password field? -- Basically, yes, but you need to be careful or NSA will be after you. 
• To make a test "invulnerable" to unimportant changes -- Nothing's ever perfect, but some tests can be very, very strong. 
• Can you tell me more about DOM settling time? -- Of course, "your mileage will vary," but settling time is JavaScript dependent. 
• Leading blanks in a DOM property field -- Our internal rules for handling DOM property values explained. 
• To put in a NAV or a NO_NAV in a script -- When the internal synchronization works too well, or not at all, and what to do?

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Play back without anything -- How easy is eValid to use? Really? 
• How do you guys do on IE10? -- Technology survives, and eValid runs IE10 no problem. 
• Tell me about footprint growth during LoadTest runs? -- Inevitable RAM consumption issue and resolutions. 
• How to get the best intra-page timing data? -- Tips and Tricks on getting good timing data. 
• Do you see a lot of AJAX on mobile applications? -- AJAX on mobile is new and increasing...and important.

Technology White Paper Available

We have recently updated our Business White Paper eValid Technology Summary: Automated Testing of Modern Web Applications. This paper outlines the origins, the internal architecture, and the general capabilities of eValid. It is now available for general use from our website.

This paper discusses the basics of testing AJAX and Web 2.0 applications, compares eValid with "traditional" testing tools, describes eValid's underlying technical base, and explains how that technology is applied to the work of testing complex web browser enabled applications.

A translation of a slightly earlier version of this white paper appeared in French as Le Test Automatise de Applications Web Modernes, published in Genie Logiciel: Le Magazine de L'Ingeniiere du Logiciel et Des Systems, Decembre 2011, ISSN 0295-6322.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Using your DynamicLinkCheck commands -- Pros and cons of Dynamic Link Checking. 
• If my web page has dynamic content can eValid still test it -- Testing the untestable? How stable to you have to be? 
• Can eValid read and validate the text inside an image? -- Technical limits on image content extraction apply here. 
• Modify a script to account for AJAX synchronization problems -- A simple way to forumlate good AJAX test scripts 
• Can eValid help me tesing a CAPTCHA? -- What can and can't be tested. Realism prevails.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest. 

•  Your justification for using eValid to test a mobile device -- More about "Spoofing" mobile devices. 
• Can eValid test salesForce applications? -- Sample tests for a complex application. 
• What is the biggest obstacle in testing an AJAX application? -- The main barriers to successful AJAX testing. 
• The ebb and flow of "web performance" -- Observations about performance variablility. 
• What is your take on WebDriver? -- Where does eValid stand with respect to WebDriver?

Examples of Dynamic DOM Manipulation

As eValid users know, there is a unique capability available from within the eValid script language to manipulate the current contents of a page at the Document Object Model (DOM) level. This capability can often be important when adjusting test scripts to increase their resistance to failure due to non-critical changes in a page, or for performing complex validation steps.
To illustrate some of the kinds of things that can be done, we have put together these simple example scripts.

• Dynamic Modifications
  In this example the goal is to change an element inside the DOM of a page locally, that is, with the HTML content that is currently in the browser. The technique used is to apply the ValueSet and ValuePutElement commands to a particular page element that affects, for illustration purposes, the background color of a table element. Just to be sure the script passage does this for two different colors. Here's the full explanation: Modify a DOM Element Dynamically.
  
• Checking AJAX Operation
  A very common feature that is AJAX-supported is the autocomplete function. Users initial input keystrokes are feed to the server, which responds by adding HTML to the page that shows suggested possible endins for the string. In our example, we use a common search engine's autocomplete feature to illustrate how to verify that a particular partial string will always produce a specific suggestion. The verification is done with a MatchString command, which confirms that the target string is present in the newly-updated page HTML. Here's the full explanation: Checking AJAX Autocomplete Functionality.
  
• In-Place Modifications
  The actual content of the current HTML can be adjusted, without getting fresh HTML from the server. To show this, the example script uses adds a ValueSet and ValuePutElement command to add a "NEW-WINDOW" requirement to an anchor tag. Then, just to make sure that the change has been made, the script clicks on the link, which dutifully replaces itself in a new window. Here's the full explanation: Change the Target of an Anchor Tag Link.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Use the "OnBeforeUnload()" method -- Try to avoid this, may be a security breach attempt! 
• Is eValid a programmable browser? -- Certainly is, with the EPI option installed. 
• Can eValid do what they do and if not what is missing? -- In a word, yes. But you expected that, right? 
• How do I create a test from scratch? -- You can create a test 100% manually, but it's far easier with automated help. 
• Do you have facilities in eValid to compare two images? -- Yes, but be aware that such regression testing is very sensitive. 

eValid AJAX Patent Issued By USPTO

On 23 July 2013 the US Patent Office (USPTO) issued USPatent #8,495,585, the fifth patent in the eValid patent portfolio. This patent further beefs up the Intellectual Property (IP) surrounding the eValid product by addressing specific methods of analysis of AJAX applications as they interact with the DOM, and also deals in detail with synchronization of AJAX test playback processes.

In addition to the issued eValid Patents there are three other patents currently being considered by the USPTO that cover additional aspects of the eValid product and the technology used to implement it. An additional five patent applications are in the works.

If you're working in automated web testing you may wish to look into the Business Development (BizDev) Opportunities that are based on eValid technology and its associated IP.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Does eValid run on 64-bit machines? -- Yes, no problem; the out-of-box install has to go to a special folder.
• Frame names that change every day -- Messy web application, but frame names can be replaced with frame numbers.
• How do I get data from the outside world into my scripts? -- There is a simple environment-variable feed in for you. 
• Improve delivery performance by decreasing load time -- The real-world data eValid generates helps pinpoint problem components. 
• Is eValid an IE derivative browser? -- eValid uses all of IE's components, but assembles them differently. 

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

•  Have 100 eValid copies running in parallel -- How to avoid, and exploit, intra-browser interactions. 
• The size and download data for every page component -- How to measure very-detailed page timings. 
• How do you know how those lovely performance charts work? -- All of the charts are Java Applets. 
• Running 100 browsers to generate load -- Does channel usage overhead interfere with accurate measurement? 
• Pages that have a Modal Popup -- Special tricks for handling modals. 

CyberSecurity Resources

A question we are getting recently is: How can eValid be used to support cybersecurity work? In other words, given the very specialized needs of searching for and pinpointing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, what resources can eValid bring to the table?

For one thing, cybersecurity is a big area, involving a wide range of techniques -- static analysis, dynamic analysis, inspection, and a variety of other options. Because eValid's view is 100% client-side, its technology is only able to provide insight on how things operate from the browser, that is, at the client-side.

But that is in some ways one of the most potentially fruitful areas for which cyber vulnerability analysis can be performed.

As OWASP's section on Testing for AJAX Vulnerabilities points out, the use of AJAX "... the advent of AJAX accounts for an "...Increased Attack Surface..." because AJAX "...throws in additional ways to potentially inject malicious content." In other words, AJAX is an untapped issue in the security world.
eValid can easily handle AJAX applications, and resources inside eValid can then be used to extract the information needed to expose problems due specifically to AJAX application's asynchronous, client-server cooperative nature. So eValid seems to be a good fit for this kind of work, in an area in which it is already strong. The capabilities eValid can supply to a cyberthreat analysis effort are summarized in this CyberSecurity Resource Summary.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Which browser eValid is imitating? -- Details of eValid's neat trick to emulate ANY device! 
• Can I use eValid to find out why my pages are loading slowly -- The general method eValid uses to measure detailed timing is revealed. 
• A way of capturing the value into a variable in memory -- Tricky manipulations with DOM values have big payoffs. 
• Can you do a search from the Address field? -- Guidelines for getting good simple searches done. 
• eValid synchronize playback -- The big issue: synchronization of AJAX! Here' the scoop. 

How to get a good playback on an AJAX site?

Question:
Do you have any special recommendations for me on how to get a good playback on an AJAX site?

Answer:
Fair question, but also a very broad question.

Web applications that employ AJAX can range from very simple (for example, a simple autocomplete activity), to the very, very complex (for example, the recently introduced http://www.outlook.com email system from Microsoft which they are pitching as better that Gmail).

At a very high level we have found this method of using eValid to test and measure AJAX applications to be the most effective:

(1) Make a recording from life first. "From life" means, using the out-of-the-box settings, make a recording from the starting URL to the point where you are going to be validating a result. The Wait times that eValid puts into your script will, at playback time, provide a crude level of synchronization.

(2) Play the recording back...it ought to work the first time assuming you have not edited the script and are not multiplying the Wait times by the Wait Time Multiplier to make things "go faster."

(3) Now, play back the script increasing the speed -- and increasing the changes for a script de-sync due to AJAX. When the script de-sync's, mark that spot in the playback, go back to that point, and record some kind of synchronization step. Repeat this until you can run your script with the Wait Time Multiplier = 0 -- that is, with NO wait times, but only synchronizations.

To a first level, this will get you a good script. Of course it can become more complex if you want to do structural testing on the page or if you want to replace some parts of your script with fancy DOM manipulations.

_________________
eValid Support

New eValid Videos Available

We've posted a number of new YouTube videos that relate key information about the eValid solution. The major subjects include:

• RealWorld applications, showing how eValid handles selected testing tasks. An example is the video on Page Timing/Tuning with eValid
• Basic product operation, focusing on how things work in eValid. Examples include Studying DOM Properties with PageMap, and Site Analysis with eValid.
• Complete Webinar recordings, including the important LoadTesting Mobile Web Apps

Here is a complete YouTube Video Playbill for you to try out.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Can any functional test be converted to monitoring use? -- Steps to solidify a test for use in monitoring mode. 
• The most common kind of error you see in working with AJAX -- Typical AJAX failure modes and how to overcome them. 
• Can eValid test a cloud-based application like SalesForce? -- Affirmation of capabilities of testing cloud-based apps. 
• eValid tries to write to a SaveRecord file at the same time -- Observations about simultaneity in file processing. 
• Explain again how WaitModMM works? -- Watching the clock: modular arithemetic based delays explained. 

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• What are the main components in page rendering? -- Details about how to understand page download and rendering times. 
• Does eValid work as a browser without a key? -- How to use eValid even without a license key! 
• What is the ACTUAL overhead due to system factors? -- Here are some design facts about eValid's efficiency. 
• Can eValid measure two mobile devices at the same time? -- The joys of multiple measurement capability, explained. 
• Looking at using XPath to specify tests -- Pros and cons of using Regular Expressions (REs) in test specification. 

Load Testing Mobile Web Applications

With all of the recent interest in mobile devices – including all kinds of smartphones and hand-held tablets – we decided to provide readers with a short description of eValid's capabilities in "mobile device testing".

• Technology
  The basis for the eValid approach is to simulate ANY mobile device in a realistic way. Test runs done by eValid, when it is imitating or simulating a particular mobile device, appear to the supporting web application server as if the actual device is being used. Server response times to the device being exercised in a test session – mainly intra-browser timings – are very accurate (1 millisecond resolution). The big advantage is that you can test multiple devices from a single solution platform. This makes comparing different devices' performance very easy. All you do is change the simulation specification and re-run your functional test.
• A Typical Mobile-Device Loading Experiment
  As a use-case example, we did an experiment simulating an iPhone navigating to a popular website that delivers transportation system departure times, based on the requester's location, and retrieved from a database that tracks all of the available vehicles.
  1. Using a short self-synchronizing test script that asked a very simple and standard question from the database: "When is the next vehicle departure?" The script recorded a single data point: the time the database takes to retrieve the data to the user. For this application this is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI).
  2. We ramped the load from 1 Browser-User (BU) to 1,000 BUs by adding BUs at 1-second intervals. It took about 16 minutes to reach the 1,000 level. Once there, we held the imposed load at 1,000 BUs, all repeating the same test script as rapidly as possible for another 15 minutes.
  3. We used an Amazon cloud-based "Quadruple Extra Large" machine as the test driver. During the experiment the driver machine had only about 15% CPU usage and < 5% network usage at the full 1,000 BUs level. Overall, we collected data from over 5,900 KPI timings during the entire run.
  4. Here's the chart that shows the KPI vs. imposed load: 1,000 BUs Chart You can see from the chart that response time is constant up to about 200 users and then grows linearly with the increasing load.
• Detailed Example Explanation
  Here is the detailed Experiment Description that describes all of the above in complete detail, and also includes the actual eValid test script used.
• Webinar YouTube Movie: "Load Testing Mobile Web Apps"
  Here is the webinar movie associated with this experiment: Mobile Testing Web Apps [Webinar, 39:07].

You may also want to see the earlier eValid Blog item that deals with related aspects of testing of mobile web applications: Testing Mobile Device Web Applications.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

•  What is "Real User Monitoring" (RUM)? -- How monitoring works when you drive your site with a simulated real user? 
• How do I convert the old QTP tests? -- Considering how much more complex QTP is vs. eValid, it's probably earier to... 
• Modify our JavaScript to make our application more testable -- Simple rules to make life easier for testers. 
• Adaptive Playback -- How this important feature extends the life of test scripts. 
• eValid browser cache -- Details on how eValid handles caching. 

SalesForce Example Runs At Full Speed

We have heard from several users and potential users asking whether the SalesForce example script we used in our SalesForce Example 1 writeup could be played back faster? And if so, how much faster?

The recording from life that you see played back in the YouTube movie is running in "real time" -- every delay made during the recording is faithfully reproduced. The total script playback time is 310.1 seconds; the duty cycle of that playback is 20%, meaning that 80% of that time is spent waiting (expending "think time").

Can it be run faster? The answer is yes!

By adjusting the Playback Wait Time Multiplier to 0 the playback runs at a 95% duty cycle, with a total playback time of 59.8 seconds. There's no unnecessary waiting at all by the playback engine; all of the waiting time is for the SalesForce application and website to respond.

Here is the Original YouTube Movie and here is the adjusted Full Speed YouTube Movie. Viewer warning: the full speed movie goes by very fast, but rest assured that every test step is there. For a play by play sequence of screenshots you can review the complete Screen Image sequence, which is the same for either version.

Standard Speed Playback

Full Speed Playback

SalesForce Example Illustrates eValid Operation

The www.SalesForce.com application, which represents one of the earliest "software as a service" offerings, is well known for its very sophisticated use of JavaScript. Because of its internal complexity, and also in part because the application is under constant modification and update, successful functional testing of the SalesForce application has always been challenging.

Test Script Creation and Playback
The test plan for this example is to log into the account, create a new unique user, add some data to that user's record, confirm that the new user data is present, and then log off. The completed Example 1 Test Script recording was made "from life" using the AJAX Recording Protocol. Here is the Complete Example 1 Explanation.

Playback
Here is the sequence of Screen Images taken after each step in the test plan. You can watch a movie of this eValid test scrip playing back (click to view):

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

•  Some data keeps being loaded into the cache? -- What is and isn't added to the Cache and when? 
• Where a server will reject requests? -- If it doesn't like you, actually your browser, the server can decline to play! 
• Measure response times -- More about time measurement at the client side. 
• What license limitations? -- A simple, practical limit on EVAL and DEMO licenses, explained. 
• The future of FLASH/Flex and SilverLight -- No comment, but consider the implications of HTML5!

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

•  Get detailed timings from a monitoring test -- Details of measuring playback timings in GWOS/eValid monitoring. 
• Does every command eValid record play a part in playback? -- Some of the actual groundrules for EventLog messages. 
• What is the highest synchronization check rate? -- Why eValid's maximum sync rate is 100 Hz. 
• Have you ever tested some of GWT's more exotic features? -- How to handle GWT's exotic/troublesome "features"! 
• About synchronization of AJAX application test playback -- It's important! Without sync you're sure to have a test fail eventually.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• The equivalent of the SyncOnText command -- Stronger versions of the old standby. 
• At what level does eValid support the DOM? -- How eValid leverages IE's browsing technology. 
• Issue an IndexElementEvent command -- Some details of DOM event signals. 
• Some customers that do a lot of tests daily with eValid -- Installations that run 1,000's of tests a day. 
• Has IE9 as the default browser and also Chrome installed -- How IE and Chrom interact, or not.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Will your site scanning option work on a mobile device? -- Notes on scanning mobile web applications. 
• Using the JQuery collection of Web 2.0 technologies -- COntending with JQuery-based applications. 
• Can eValid emulate a mobile device rather than simulate it? -- Emulate, Simulate, Imitate: Pick your poison. 
• The best way to get a specific timing data value out -- Using SaveRecord to read response times. 
• The problem that GWT reassigns all of the ID tags -- Overcoming testing dynamic ID tag assignment.

Additional eValid Patent Issued

In another step aimed at beefing up the Intellectual Property surrounding the eValid product, we are pleased to announce that an additional patent has been approved by the USPTO. Here is the complete USPatent #8,392,890 that issued on 5 March 2013. The areas covered by this patent include such key eValid features as the use of DOM-based synchronization of AJAX test playbacks, and the manipulation of pages in test mode using structural test methods.

This patent joins three other previously issued patents. There are several other patents under consideration by the USPTO that cover additional aspects of the eValid product and the technology used to implement it.

If you're working in this technology area you may want to take a look at the Business Development (BizDev) Opportunities that are based on eValid technology.

Overall these patents support eValid with fundamental and foundational technology for testing web applications through programmatic control of the DOM of a browser for analytic purposes.

New eValid Version Supports Windows 8 and IE 10

We're pleased to let you know that the latest eValid version has been proved out on Windows 8 with IE10. The range of operating systems now includes Windows 2000/2008, XP, Vista, and Windows 7 in addition to Windows 8. eValid is operational with all IE versions including IE 8, IE 9, and now IE 10.

By way of some stats, our internal test suite of ~350 tests runs in 4-6 hours on each of the platforms. Only when every test shows no FAILs does eValid advance from mechnical testing to the final-release stage.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• Does eValid have a way of doing simple HTTP GET/PUT testing? -- Suggestions on how to use eVlite and "Create URL Trace" 
• How many eValid BUs can I get in LoadTest mode? -- Discussion of LoadTest capacity with a Java applet present. 
• How do I record desktop mode actions? -- Recommendations on inter-modal (browser + desktop) operation. 
• Try to have eValid write to a file -- Easy ways to get data out of eValid into the local environment. 
• Do you guys ever cut deals for guys like me? -- Some thoughts on deal-making. 

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• What is the capacity of eValid using only eVlite? -- Technical details of the eVlite engine that's included with eValid. 
• How does the script window work? -- Functional operation of the script window detailed. 
• Screen is too small and my recorded XY events may not work -- Small screen vs. big screen issues discussed. 
• Have a special "wait/sync/act" protocol for recording AJAX -- Technical background on achieving AJAX test playback synchronization. 
• eValid works great on Microsoft Dynamics -- More about using eValid on Microsoft Dynamics' applications. 

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• The responses of a website to a mobile device -- How to set up a site scan for a mobile device.
• Point to a folder where I don't have write permission -- Deatils about "permissions" that snag everyone!
• Regression test suite on a virtual machine in the background -- How to run automated regression tests "in the background." 
• To provision an eValid RIA test for safe execution -- Hints for maximizing eValid reliability in monitoring mode. 
• How is it that the DashBoard can interact with eValid? -- All about the DashBoard relative to the eValid browser face.

Selected Recent Forum Posts

Here is a selection of some of the posts that we think would be of general interest.

• What version of eValid goes with which versions of Windows -- Update on eValid versions vs. Windows version. 
• Opening eValid with a specified UAS -- How to use the special command in eValid so it emulates a mobile device. 
• How much data is loaded into an AJAX page? -- How to use eValid's internal monitoring capability to spy into AJAX operation. 
• Site analyis status report -- Fine details about running site scans with eValid. 
• Do you guys have any experience with MS Dynamics testing -- Some issues that have come up in handling Microsoft Dynamics CRm and ERP applications.

New eValid Usage Agreement with CRIM

Beginning in January 2013 the team of software testers at the CRIM Testing and Interoperability Centre, a part of the Canadian Computer Research Institute of Montreal (CRIM) will have easy and direct access to eValid technology for their projects. CRIM members include over 160 organizations of various types, ranging from academic institutions to large-scale industrial enterprises.

Under the supervision of Mr. Raymond Rivest, Senior Test Specialist, all 140+ members of CRIM will have the right to obtain no-cost, short-term "proof of concept" licenses. Given a successful proof of concept project result, all CRIM members can lease eValid on a Commercial License basis for their project(s) on very favorable discounted short-term and long-term licensing terms.

For information about eValid usage within CRIM and taking advantage of the special terms and conditions of this strategic alliance you can contact Mr. Rivest directly at raymond.rivest@crim.ca.

EULA and SLA Information

From time to time we do need to re-advise people about the eValid End User License Agreement (EULA). This license applies to all eValid installations, worlwide. You've agreed to this license when you "click-through" in the eValid product installation step.

As we continue to upgrade our infrastructure and make changes to servers for eValid and its various support systems, a question often arises about our Service Level Agreement (SLA). For some of our "public facing" website support, and for some of our Commercial Licenses, we rely in part on machine resources provided to us by Verio (An NTT Communications Company) which are supported to the 99.9% level via Verio's own UNIX Hosting Accounts SLA.

Examples of Structural Testing

We recently have had a number of customers trying out the "structural testing" aspect of eValid. In structural tests the test script uses information that is derived from the PageMap utility to allow "navigation" within a page based on its HTML structure. Scripts built this way are very durable because they don't depend the current contents of a page.

Here are some examples of Testing with DOM Interactions that show fifteen different types of structural test actions that rely on the DOM manipulating, structural test commands in eValid.