Error message handling and it's importance

I have no idea about how far the test case will help in reviewing the error message. As, I do it in (follow) different approach, I just want to share how to handle the error message and it's importance.

Error message: 
 An error message in an information provided when some invalid data's are passed.

Error message is one of the important aspect in an application. Because when the user make some mistakes like providing an invalid details or any kind of irreverent request only the error message will speak to the user before the user contact the customer care. I think a proper message will reduce the number of customer care(employee) sometimes. The proper error message is important to tell the user about the problem. How to deliver an error message matters a lot. For example when the user has not entered any details at the mandatory field and by clicking on submit, if the message is shown like " Field cannot be empty or Please enter the " valid xxx" in the field" provided with the fields highlighted would be much better than just by showing (*) in red color.

How the message suppose to be shown?
1. Error message should be clear and easy to understand. So, try to give it in the normal words.
2. Some of the modules like application form, the error message can be shown by highlighting the fields in red color or at the place where the user could view it preferably at the top of the page.
3. Don't  try to provide it in a essay format. Always try to show it as simple and short".
4. Check for grammar
5. Spell check
6 .Show it in a separate dialog box or in that page itself (it depends on application and the space availability in the page)
7.If the error message is like (404 error), then tell the user why such error was occurred and what is that error.
8. If it is internal server error(500 error) then the user should know it happens just because of the server.So,  if possible provide details about the 500 error.

How the message should not be shown?
1. For some of the message, the message is shown like " the stack over flow with some code.  This goes useless and the  user might get irritated.
2. Showing it at the bottom of the page where the probability is less for the user to view.
3. Providing more than one dialog box
4. Confusing content like
    Are you sure you don't want to remove? and the options are  (yes and No)
5. Not showing a message at all even after making some invalid attempt.But still remains on the same page.

I have come across some of the application, where the error message is shown at the bottom of the page and is not view-able by the user .The user could see such message by scrolling the page. This would cause a trouble to the user. Because sometime the user might not aware of such issue and try for few more attempt and finally there is a chance to come out of the site.

"A good error message will create good impression to the user". Some good way to start a message like saying  sorry,  please,etc. will tell the user that they are more valuable.

My Contact Information:

Email id: ktg.pradeep@gmail.com
Mobile: 07639959901
Skype: pradeep.lingan

My days in working with start-ups

I joined in a company little late after completion of my graduation. I was searching for the job for more than a year. I know that I was bit late to start. But, I was on the right place to start. My first journey started in a start-up company. I don’t want to describe more about that company, but in short to say it’s a cool start-up  I believe that I was guided by a right person. My hidden talents are exposed when working with those people.

Advantage on working with the start-up:
I have worked in MNC just for very few months. So, I don’t have much idea about working culture in multinational companies. But I can share the experience I had and am having it with the start ups. Before joining into any company, my dream was to get into some big MNCs. I felt that if I join in those companies,  I could proudly say that I am working in those companies (where the names are more familiar to most of the people like Infosys, TCS, CTS, etc.). But my dream went off as a dream. No way had I got an opportunity to work in those companies. On looking at medium sized company, I don’t have much grace to work there. I was impressed by the company size, package and other benefits. I felt this I could get only in MNCs.
I was happy when I got the job. But I have no idea of continuing in that (start-up) company. Because my wish was to get into the big companies. So, on the day one when I visited my first office, I was happy but not up to that.  I saw very few people, computer, chair are there also it was a small workstation, etc. I was not impressed much by seeing those things.
Later on I slowly understood the use of working in the start-up companies. At start up there is an opportunities to learn more and get things quick. But,  I have no idea whether this could be possible in the large scale companies. The learning process, opportunities to expose talents, showing the identity in very short time also few other things where one could get it in start-ups very quickly.
Choosing the start ups matters a lot.  Because there are some company’s where their vision and expectations are different. Some companies are like

Few companies grow and provide an opportunity for their employee’s growth too.
Few make their employees happy and also make their work done
Few provide a very low salary and get their work done with huge task and expectations.
Few don’t provide a securities to the job (fire at any time)
Few hire people and get the bond sign for few years and lot more.

So, know how to choose a start ups. Always find a place where you can learn things and add value to your work style.
Before joining in the company:
1. I felt that software testing was just a kind of job.
2. I had no idea of writing a blog.
3. I have no idea of publishing an e-book
4. I don’t have much idea about the importance of the social media like (Twitter, LinkedIn etc,).

But after joining and working:
       1. As days goes on testing became as one of my hobby.
      2. Writing blogs and sharing my thoughts
      People taught me what passion is. So, now I am working in my own style. I am not sure whether this could be possible if I had into some MNCs. But, I strongly believe that whether it is a start-up or large size company. We need a right people to guide.
   
What makes company and employees happy?
Company should provide an opportunity to learn, considerable salary, entertainment, security.
Employees should be sincere, responsible, dedicated, hard working. Knowing the mission and vision of the company, true to the people.

How to work in a start ups:
Always prefer to learn more than earnings and entertaining. It’s an opportunities to grasp things quickly and share things easily. This will help to improve the skills and expose their talents in a very short time. Don’t feel hesitate to work on weekends. This is the age for the people like me to learn more. I believe that when I learn more and once people realize the need of my work then I will have more grace and could get what I expect either money, company, etc..

Thank You!!!



My Contact Information:
Email id: ktg.pradeep@gmail.com
Mobile: 07639959901
Skype: pradeep.lingan

Changes to be made in learning and teaching engineering

After completing the HSC, and scoring 80%, 90%, students move to the college with lots of dreams. When the student get an engineering admission, the entire family members will be happy and they celebrate for that. Parents will dream a lot than the student(child) about their child's future. So, on the day one when the student go to the class, he/she(most) will take a oath, that we need to be the best in the college. But, days goes on most of the people will forget that promise.Few people will keep remember and they will do that. Some people come to college just for the name sake or time pass  But,  I just want to tell my suggestion on teaching and learning the engineering.

What is engineering:
It is a  science and technology concerned with design, build, maintain structure. The engineer is one who learn and practice engineering.

How the engineering is taught in most of the colleges?
I have no idea about practicing and teaching engineering at the time of doing my engineering course. To me and most of the people felt that completing the course successfully will make us an engineer  But, the days after completing my course and getting into real time work I realized that, what I practiced in the college is not the world is expecting from an engineering professional. I just thinking why such things happened and happening and what changes are needed among the colleges and students. Then I got lot of answer for that.
1. Lack of Management Support
2. Lack of dedicated staffs
3. Lack of students interest
4. Lack of awareness among the students
5. Lack of hands on work
6. No seriousness
7. Students don't know why they learning certain subjects
8. Lack of knowledge on  latest trends in markets (Technology growth)
9. Learning systems
10.Industry visits (as a entertainment tour)

Management support:
The management who run the college are responsible for the students growth.The intention should not be only in making money (education is not a business, it's an service). So, there should be more advantage for the students in choosing the college. Making 100% placement  alone is not a big achievement. But making a better engineer at-least(10%) matters a lot.This would give a proud to the college.

Lack of dedicated staffs:
The staffs are hired after they complete the master course.In industry, what ever the degree a person holds  it's not a matter at all , He/she should be trained and then they will be assigned to do certain jobs. But, in the case of teaching there is no training prior to teaching to the students. Teaching is an art, it's a skill. One can't get it just by completing the master course.A proper training is needed to have that. So, there could be a training for the newly hired professional before they handle the students.

Lack of students interest:
Student who join just after completing their schooling come with some interest. But days goes on the interest their aim gets diverted due to certain factor. This is one of the main reason why student don't shine in college where they did in their schooling. So, for this they are the responsible.  Most of the students don't know how their parents suffer in making money for their child's education. If they realize,  majority of the student will move on the right path, they won't get diverted in their goals.

Lack of hands on experience:
I see most of the college will provide more importance to the theory rather than the practical work. The'y just forget the core principles of engineering. Engineering can't be achieved just by having the theoretical knowledge. So, the staffs are responsible to create an awareness about the practical work.

How the teaching professional should be?
A staff should be more dedicated in their work. They should be able to explain  any  concepts  related to engineering.So, he/she should have an updated knowledge on the technology growth. They should create an awareness to the students about the happening in the markets.Encourage the students to participate on the technical events. Organizing technical events, encouraging the students to create a new concepts.They should support the students to be better and shine in their career.Tell the student the need of  choosing and learning certain subjects.If the staff teach signals and systems or Digital signal processing or data structure or engineering mechanics, they should tell the students the use of learning  such concepts and where they are applied.They should be keep monitoring the students activities. Only by this they can make their students better.

Industrial Visits
Most of the college make their industrial visits( shortly called as IV) as a entertainment tour. There is no assurance that they visit the industry. This is how they failed to create an awareness about knowing the industry culture. But there are some people(staff) who make it serious and do what they suppose to do.
For students who are about to complete their course make sure you crack the interview by meeting the interviewer expectations. Here are the few tips to do so
1. Good communication
2. Boldness (Confident while speaking)
3. Technical skills(interest)
4. Writing skills
5. Behavior
6. Decent dressing
7. Smiling face (be cool while explaining)
8. Don't be panic
9. Tell what you know (Don't try to lie)
10.Creative thinking.

Who can play a good team leader

This is not that I am blaming on any team leaders.This is how I wish, I prefer, the team leader to be.
The success of an organisation or any institutions,politics,  sports, etc.. is based on the leaders of that reputed fields.When it come to the industrial project and if there is a right team leader to guide an employee/team, the process will move in a smooth way.This would progress better in their growth(both project and the members) else the employees and the other people who are concerned will face certain ups and downs.So, playing a good team leader is more important than being a team leader.I hope you could understand and differentiate the term, good team leader and the team leader. A good team leader will motivate his/her team members to be better at their work. A team leader will dominate his/her team members.

The good team leader holds certain characteristics

1.Knowing the ability of the team members
2.Picking up the right person for the projects
3.Encouraging him/her to do work better
4.Supporting(helping) the team member on critical times especially when it is related to health issues.
5.Providing an opportunities to learn
6.Providing an opportunities to share their ideas
7.Listening to others
8.Tracking the time and work of an employee
9.Knowing how to assign the task
10.Conducting meeting when there is a need.
11.Proper planing on today's task
12.Asking about the previous day work from individual team member.
13.Cool behaviors: not using the  harsh words which would hurt people
14.Limitation for certain thing(relationship), not allowing the employees to misuse the freedom given to them at work.
15.Helping the member to correct their mistakes, if any and not making it as public issues.
16.Being sincere at work
17.Appreciating the member for completing the task at reputed time.
18.No ego

Having a good team leader is a gift for the team and having a team leader(who doesn't hold the above mentioned qualities either( few or all) will be a challenge to the team.