The Adventures of Accordion Guy in the 21st Century

My pal Pete Forde, who is one of the guys behind local software development shop Unspace, emailed me to let me know about the video for the new number by Henry and Clare (the name under which local songstress Elliot Caroll operates, a name that I believe is borrowed from The Time Traveler’s Wife), titled Songtario. It’s a lovely and catchy alt-rock tune, and all the more amazing because she’s only 17 years old. Here’s the vid:

Pete wrote this about Elliot: “A Toronto artist that makes Toronto look awesome!” I prefer to say that she’s a Toronto artist who does a wonderful job of showcasing Toronto’s awesomeness.

Liz Walker emailed me with this bit of news about Balfour Books’ upcoming sale:

Balfour Books Annual Half-Price Sale March 10

Toronto’s best used bookstore is holding its annual sale and this year

it will last a whole week. It’s a great opportunity to stock up on

fiction, photography, design, art, architecture, film, culture

studies, cooking, religion and more. All books in the store are on

sale for one week. Open daily at Noon. Open to 11pm.

Mark it on your calendar. Don’t come in the shop on March 24 asking

for the sale. It will be over and won’t happen again until next year.

Balfour Books is located at 601 College Street (at Clinton).

Saw this sign at the corner of Bloor and Dufferin and had to take a picture:

Photo courtesy of Miss Fipi Lele.

Found the graphic above through my friend Fipi Lele, and a little Googling revealed that the actual clock, plus others based on the same graphic, are available online at this CafePress shop.

It’s by George and it’s titled Microsoft shyster harshes on Google book search. He’s writing about Microsoft’s General Counsel for Copyright, Trademark and Trade Secrets, Thomas C. Rubin, and his speech to the Association of American Publishers. In the speech, Rubin tried to put The Fear, especially about into his audience by telling them: “Google doesn’t respect copyright, and Google’s actions are designed to aid their own business at the cost of publishers.” The speech is an interesting new wrinkle on a classic Microsoft tactic — Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt, or as we in the industry call it, “FUD” — and George does a pretty good job at exposing all its flaws.

I’m disappointed with Microsoft’s use of this forum. They’re a world-class technology company. Surely they have some concrete solutions to offer the members of the AAP? This was an ideal opportunity for Microsoft to get in front of a multi-billion-dollar industry and demonstrate how they could help grow that business. After all, Google’s having a hard time making its case with these people, but the publishing industry recognizes that they can’t stand still in the face of increasing digitization. Unfortunately, Microsoft sent a lawyer to do a man’s job. Save for a few warmed-over nods to Microsoft’s book search project, there was nothing besides anti-Google FUD on the menu today. Publishers didn’t get anything they could use to reinvigorate their industry online, and Microsoft gets a swarm of blog posts like mine.

Although it might get me in the bad books of a number of relatives including an aunt who’s done so much for our family, my “brother from another mother” and the only other person in my life worthy of the name “Dad”, I’ve got to say that I can help smirking at the crack about “sending a lawyer to do a man’s job”. Go ahead, read the article.

A little background information: here’s how the jury ruled on the Scooter Libby case (courtesy of this Washington Post article)…

Chart taken from the Washington Post.

And here’s the FOX News take…

Screen capture courtesy of Boing Boing.

I have to give them props for out-and-out chutzpah, if nothing else.

[This has been cross-posted to the Tucows Blog.]

We’ve got another job opening here at Tucows: QA Analyst!

Wait…didn’t you already announce this job opening?

You’re probably thinking of this position: QA Analyst/Performance Testing. That’s a position that calls for a little more experience and has a little more responsibility. This one is just plain old “QA Analyst”, minus the “Performance Testing” part. That position called for 2+ years experience with test panning, test development and web application test execution; this one calls for 1+ years. If you didn’t have the experience for that job, you might want to consider this one!

The Job Description

Here it is, straight from HR’s mouth:

Main Purpose

Tests software to ensure that developed products meet design specifications and are within total quality management limits and standards. Communicates with product developers. Operates under some supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• You will be required to do code development to support test automation and other testing tools
• Plan and perform required testing activities
• Develop testing documents to verify Tucows’ services and applications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Related experience / Unique skill set:

• Solid understanding of test methodology and testing lifecycle
• 1+ years Test Planning experience
• 1+ years Test Development experience
• 1+ years Web Application Test Execution experience
• Comfortable in testing application in Unix and/or Linux environment

3 or more of the following:

• Automated testing
• API testing
• GUI/Functional/Installation testing
• Performance testing
• Security testing

Special consideration for:

• QA or Test Certification
• Fluent in one of the web testing tools
• Courses in Oracle (asset)
• Participated in test tool evaluation and deployment process

Education:

• College or University degree in information technology or equivalent

Interpersonal skills:

• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Comfortable working to tight deadlines; strong team player
• Sense of job commitment
• Good communication skills

Other things you should know about:

• Once a month Friday night/Saturday morning code promotion testing

So What’s It Like at Tucows?

Since I wrote about it so recently, I’ll simply point you to this entry; just scroll down to the section titled A Little Bit About Tucows. The short answer is: “It’s pretty cool.”

Want to Apply for the Job?

Email your resume and cover letter to hrdept@tucows.com, making sure that you include QA Analyst in the subject.