== Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer ==
As a versatile Software Quality Engineer, I aim to understand the nuances of the product, team dynamics, technological landscapes, and organizational structures so that I can adapt and contribute effectively. I specialize in adapting to diverse contexts, and look beyond traditional testing methodologies to consider the design of the whole quality ecosystem necessary for delivering quality software solutions efficiently.
At the moment I am currently on taking a [[Mental Health and Wellbeing Break]] (Jan-2024 - Present) break from work to give myself some time for self-care and recovery following significant life events in recent after some difficult periods over the last couple of years.
=== [[TTC - Water Services Reform, Dept. of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-20232024) ===: Contractingthrough [https://ttcglobal.com TTC Global]. Part of the Test Automation team for the Three Waters Project, developing a UI Automation suite in Java using the [https://wave.tidalcode.dev/ Tidal. wave] Selenium automation library
: Served as a Roving roving Automation Quality Engineer, bridging addressing testing and automation gaps needs across multiple teams. Tested Conducted testing and automated automation for mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also undertook a secondment contributed as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and later developed a ReactJS React web app for viewing the visualizing test environment landscapeenvironments (Node.js, React, mermaid.js).
=== [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===
: Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a small solution to run a Postman collection to test the API and implemented a node in Google Cloud Platform to execute the collection using Newman, and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test reports. The Web UI implemented access restrictions for whitelisted IPs and authenticated users.
: Native Mobile App functional and accessibility testing. API testing and automation. Using , using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript(Postman/, Node.js/, Express.js), Splunk for dashboards, TFS & Powershell for System deployment automation. Created a [[the Postman Testrunner Framework]] (PTF) for automated API integration checks and environment health monitoring.
=== [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===
: Part of a small squad at Trade Me, I conducted Conducted context-driven exploratory testing for software changes to the iconic [https://www.trademe.co.nz/ Trade Me] website, focussing on the [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors Motors] page & features. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, and mobile apps, leading deployments, conducting test planning and peer reviews, utilizing BDD and visual test tools. I gained experience with implementing agile methods, Splunk, ReadyAPI, XMind, Jira, and Confluence. I also enjoyed onboarding new staff and contributing to the test and agile guilds.
=== [[Pre-2014 Roles]] ===
=== [[Volunteering]] ===
: Laingholm & Districts Community Association, [[Ministry of Testing - Auckland Branch|Ministry of Testing]], Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
=== [[Professional Development]] ===
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
===My Personal [[Observability Project]]===
* [https://expressjs.com/en/starter/hello-world.html Express.js basic hello world] and my [https://github.com/VincentDirks/node.js-in-the-cloud node.js-in-the-cloud] repo
* [https://www.atlassian.com/microservices/microservices-architecture/kubernetes-vs-docker Kubernetes vs. Docker] by Josh Campbell at Atlassian <br>
:I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my [[Observability Project]]
* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
=== Test Community Events ===
* Registered to go to the [https://nztestingconf.nz/ NZTestingConf 2024] in Wellington to listen to
** Shay Naiki, QA Manager @ Alphero: Creating a collaborative culture in the testing world: lessons from life in a digital agency
** Nevetha Mani, Product Human @ Hectre: Off the beaten path: rethinking quality in the startup world
** Emma Procter & Jonathan Shirley, @ PikPok: Finding the fun: researching and playtesting games at PikPok
** Patricio Miner, Content Creator @ Free Range Testers: ETL: the testing niche you've never thought of
** Toby Martin, QA Practice Lead @ Pushpay: Stop automating, start investigating: a guide to slowing down to speed up
** Ryan Bevens, QA Community Manager @ Potentia: Diary of a reluctant recruiter: your value as a tester
:''== Watch this space for conference notes ==''
===Interesting Reads===
* '''[https://www.satisfice.com/download/a-context-driven-approach-to-automation-in-testing A Context Driven Approach to Automation in Testing]''' By James Bach and Michael Bolton
:Interesting alternative to the ''"Test Automation Pyramid"''.
:Quote: ''There are testing problems to consider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below".''
===My '''[[Observability Project]]'''===
* [https://expressjs.com/en/starter/hello-world.html Express.js basic hello world] and my [https://github.com/VincentDirks/node.js-in-the-cloud node.js-in-the-cloud] repo
* [https://www.atlassian.com/microservices/microservices-architecture/kubernetes-vs-docker Kubernetes vs. Docker] by Josh Campbell at Atlassian <br>
:I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my [[Observability Project]]
* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===