Improver (English version)
Most of the testing tasks for Mandriva/ROSA operating systems are to be done while running Improver, exept those which need data recollecting before running the system itself i.e. that concern installation and booting the system, as well as preparing bootable media and running system within virtual machines. For those kind of tests there are special protocols to be filled after performing the tests and recollecting the data. Improver is a kind of software dedicated to collection automatically the necessary data of the PC used for testing the system and running the tests as replies to questions or statements which the client software presents to a registered user according to testing plans downloaded from Improver's server. The whole Mandriva/Rosa's Improver includes
- client software
- server applications
- web-application
Client software is GUI utility called Improver_client. It creates user account, downloads testing plans from the server, and collects the hardware and system data from the user's PC. User selects desired testing plan form available list, fills report then the program sends it to the Improver's server.
Usage of Improver
User may run it from main menu --> "Applications" --> "Tests" or by the command `improver' in console. The root privileges are required because the program launches such system utilities as lshw and dmidecode to collect information about hardware.
Druing starting you can see splash screen, this time program is calculating hw_id and connecting with server. If there is now your account on server you will be asked to register. If you already have account you'll se your account information.
Next, window with common list of test plans is appears. Test plans are divided by groups. Each test plan has icon representing status of test plan: new, downloaded, started, finished, sent. At the bottom of screen are control buttons. Update - updating information about test plans. Map - representing questions map of test plan. Import - import test plan from XML file. Send reports - send saved reports. By clicking all stored on the workstation reports are sent to server. Start - begin to perform the selected test plan (also you can do it by double-clicking on row in test plans table).
After selecting test plan for performing opened window with description of test plan. Next, window with test plans questions. Under questions left side - answer options; right side - comments for question.
In different questions you can select one or more answers. There are customized keyboard shortcuts for quick access: Alt+1 .. Alt+9 and Alt+q for "other" answer.
Next below are buttons: screen capture, screen capture with delay, attach a file, map of test plan.
By clicking on the "Map" opens a window with a list of test plans questions. In the window indicate the status of the question - answered or not answered. From the window with the map of plan you can move to any question of test plan.
At the bottom of window are buttons: Test plans list - back to common list of test plans with savind current progress. Back - go to the previous question. Next - go to the next question. Finish - go to sending report.
After completing test plan user can add an additional comment to test plan and add custom file to report.
Next, by clicking button "Send report" report isgenerating and will be sent to server. Then you can proceed to perform other test plans.
The following hardware is said by developers of the Mandriva/Rosa systems as most required for testing the Release Candidates 2011:
Any laptops equipped with Nvidia Optimus graphic cards supporting soft as well as hard switchig video
Any laptops supporting AMD Avivo technology
Laptops equipped with Intel GMA500 grphic card
MacBooks
Any atypical netbooks
RADEON graphic cards: r800, r700, r600, r520 - series; NVidya: 200-500 series, old ones from 3-rd to 8-th generations( geforce 3/4 + 6***/7***/8***) and their mobile counterparts
Any graphic cards with HDMI out
SIS graphic cards
Multy-display systems
Popular audio adapters like Creative and better
New chipsets: x58, p55, p67, am3+ including UEFI bios support
"Multiseat" systems
Any atypical CPU like Via C2000 with appropriate chipsets
Motherboards with CD/DVD - JMicron controllers
As much as possible systems with SATA HDD connected with AHCI
SSD and RAID ( 1+0, 6 )
Any WIFI dongles and cards
3G modems - especially ZTE
Yota modems
SkyLink modems
Any mobile phones
Photo cameras which are not recognized as flash-memory (usually working with GPHOTO2)
Any printing machines - especially Win-printers
Interactive boards
Web-cameras Logitech - especially with Skype
Any Bluetooth gadgets - especially keyboards and mice
