TotT: 100 and counting
August 14th, 2008 | Published in Google Testing
(This week, TotT issued our 100th internally published episode. That's more than have been published to this Testing Blog -- after all, the internal episodes had an 8-month head start, and many would make no sense to readers outside our own stalls -- but we thought you'd still enjoy reading about the history and future of TotT.)
Did you know there was a time before Testing on the Toilet? It's true! 19.3% of Googlers remember back before TotT's weekly entertainment and testing advice. In this 100th episode, let's reminisce a bit, then look toward our future ... and how you can help keep our toilets humorous and informative.
After our first episode (May 2, 2006), TotT was met with some skepticism from Googlers and others, including Slashdot.org, who said "It [is] faintly reminiscent of a cult." But soon Google embraced TotT. A few weeks later, someone complained on a mailing list: "Why wasn't I informed of this [new testing] technique at my nearby toilet?" Nooglers eagerly sign up to distribute episodes with our motto: “Debugging sucks. Testing rocks!”
Some mottos that didn't make the cut:
"Testing on the Toilet: it's not just for pregnancy anymore!"
"Make software testing your number one priority!"
"Testing: you can't just wash your hands of it."
Now, TotT appears weekly:
It's all done by a volunteer, grassroots effort of dedicated, passionate Googlers. This bottom-up activism – engineers making other engineers' lives better – is a hallmark of Google culture.
Other grouplets have adopted TotT's techniques to effectively spread their own messages in flyers like Hiring on the Table, and “TotT Presents” guest spots have shown items such as Production on the Potty.
Little known fact: TotT's testing advocacy is a leading factor in the recovery of the red kangaroo population, due to the drop in demand for “build red” phosphorus.
Remember to download this special episode of Testing on the Toilet and post it in your office.
Did you know there was a time before Testing on the Toilet? It's true! 19.3% of Googlers remember back before TotT's weekly entertainment and testing advice. In this 100th episode, let's reminisce a bit, then look toward our future ... and how you can help keep our toilets humorous and informative.
After our first episode (May 2, 2006), TotT was met with some skepticism from Googlers and others, including Slashdot.org, who said "It [is] faintly reminiscent of a cult." But soon Google embraced TotT. A few weeks later, someone complained on a mailing list: "Why wasn't I informed of this [new testing] technique at my nearby toilet?" Nooglers eagerly sign up to distribute episodes with our motto: “Debugging sucks. Testing rocks!”
Some mottos that didn't make the cut:
"Testing on the Toilet: it's not just for pregnancy anymore!"
"Make software testing your number one priority!"
"Testing: you can't just wash your hands of it."
Now, TotT appears weekly:
- In hundreds of stalls in 30 Google offices
- With episodes covering many programming languages and application domains
- Written by volunteer authors from offices worldwide.
- TotT is also published to fans outside our walls on Google's public Testing Blog.
It's all done by a volunteer, grassroots effort of dedicated, passionate Googlers. This bottom-up activism – engineers making other engineers' lives better – is a hallmark of Google culture.
Other grouplets have adopted TotT's techniques to effectively spread their own messages in flyers like Hiring on the Table, and “TotT Presents” guest spots have shown items such as Production on the Potty.
Little known fact: TotT's testing advocacy is a leading factor in the recovery of the red kangaroo population, due to the drop in demand for “build red” phosphorus.
Remember to download this special episode of Testing on the Toilet and post it in your office.