Volunteer Plugin Testers Needed!!

[mgrouch]

Originally Posted by sailingjazz

I have also done a good bit of software testing. I would like to see a spreadsheet with all the plug-ins listed (since se don't acutally have proper software testing software). We could check off tests in some kind of matrix by plug-in / OS. We could store it in dropbox or something?



Also, are we ready to start? This is boat launching season and I've been busy but have some cycles now for testing.



I also have a RPi with open plotter and the latest OCPN. If needed I could ditch the Openplotter, load a version to Raspbian that needs a tester and test there.



Please let us know if everything is ready to begin testing.

You can load BBN instead of openplotter and you will have OpenCPN 5.6.2 with all plugins preinstalled for testing. Will take less time than setting up openplotter. You can plug in usb gps and it should just work.

https://github.com/bareboat-necessit...ag/v2022-04-23

Pi4/pi400 is needed

[rgleason]

Here is the first draft of the spreadsheet. Google Spreadsheet
Note the first Tab at the bottom "TP 1.0.196". We will be adding Tabs as Jon increments Testplugin.as a way of managing versions
I may need to add a PI Version LIne too.

Please advise for any suggestions or ideas to improve this.

I will need all of your emails in order to "share" this google spreadsheet. Please PM rgleason on Cruiser's Forum with your email. Thanks

There is a corresponding OpenCPN/plugins "Issue" Plugin Testing - Volunteer Roster which I would prefer to use, over this thread if everyone gets onto Github as opensource. Also use the rgleason PM to advise of your github pseudonym. Thanks.

[zigzag930]

Happy to test on both Mac Montery 12.1 and Raspberry PI4 running OpenPlotter/OpenCPN v 5.6.0 (Headless installation)

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by zigzag930

Happy to test on both Mac Montery 12.1 and Raspberry PI4 running OpenPlotter/OpenCPN v 5.6.0 (Headless installation)

Wonderful zigzag, that is great. Please PM rgleason with your email so I can share the google spreadsheet with you.

We are still looking for PI Testers for these OS:
13 | | rpi armhf stretch
14 | | rpi armhf debian buster/10
15 | | rpi armhf debian bullseye/11
16 | | rpi armhf ubuntu focal
17 | | bionic gtk3 bionic
18 | | focal gtk3 buster
20 | | flatpak arm64
21 | | flatpak x86 2008
22 | | flatpak x86 2008 beta
23 | | flatpak x86 1808


Let me know the OS, and your CruiserForum(CF) and Git pseudonym please. Also don't forget to PM rgleason with your email so I can share the Testing Google Spreadsheet. Thanks.

I encourage all testers to sign up and register with a github account using "free/opensource" (preferably with the same name as your CF name). I hope to be able to use the github.com/OpenCPN/plugins
repository, under Issue:Plugin Testing - Volunteer Roster or the "Discussions" Feature in that same repository as a main platform for testing.

Please make bookmarks for these in your browser.

Thanks for the PM's Scarns and sailingjazz, I've caught them.

[sailingjazz]

I like the spreadsheet. That makes it a lot clearer. Could you add a check box when a PI is ready for an OS. Maybe split each PI column for check that it is ready by OS? I just want to be sure I'm testing on a release that is ready.

Thanks
Kevin

[rgleason]

Good idea, will do that.

[rgleason]

Here is the second draft of the spreadsheet. Added links to Cloudsmith beta packages and a Current Testing row. (@Sailingjazz I decided to add this to the row, since the way we build is to build most of the OS (except android - most often). If the plugin is not found in the Beta directory, then it was not build for that OS.

PS: I can switch it to adding a second column for each plugin to check each OS, but that is going to get more complex.

[Google Spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing)

[rgleason]

I've updated the spreadsheet again. See the Weatherfax (WF) example.
[Google Spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing)

For indicating need to "Test", we can use the same field as "Pass" "Fail".
Note the link to an Issue provided under the "F"

Are there any other suggestions. Thanks sailingjazz.

We still need volunteers for a number of rpi, flatpak and unbuntu Operating Systems!
Please PM me.

I am going to add filochard to the edit list.

rpi armhf stretch
rpi armhf debian buster/10
rpi armhf debian bullseye/11
rpi armhf ubuntu focal
bionic gtk3
bionic
focal gtk3 buster
flatpak arm64
flatpak x86 2008
flatpak x86 2008 beta
flatpak x86 1808

[rgleason]

Some of you have asked when testing will start. It would be good to try a trial on weatherfax_pi once I make a commit including the changes ozoli made for french med

To those users who have not signed up, we understand that your commitments and sailing activities are going to take precedence, but we hope that when you can help test, you are providing a better workflow and an improved set of plugins for everyone.

So please PM me. Thanks.

Kevin [sailingjazz] asks about testing process. This looks like it will be done this way so far.

1. Send a test notice out -(How? -via email, using the spreadsheet somehow, post in Github or CF? )
2. Enable the OpenCPN beta catalog in Opencpn [I will add instructions how to do this on the spreadsheet]
3. Select the Options>Plugins beta catalog.
4. Update the Plugins beta catalog.
5. Checking the spreadsheet for what plugins to test.
5. Download and install those plugins and test.
6. Report [P]ass [F]ail where the [X] is located adjacent to your row.
7. When entering [F] link to a new "Issue" in the plugins github repository to fully describe the problem.

There are "Basic" tests and more "Advanced" tests. Initially we will do basic tests and at times will need advanced testing.
This is described below, but I will move it up to here.

[rgleason]

Testers

Please sign up for a free github account and register using "free/opensource" (preferably with the same name as your CF name).
Please make bookmarks for these in your browser.

Sources about Testing

Volunteer Plugin Testing - Discussion Forum

Plugin Testing - Volunteer Roster

Testing Spreadsheet

Basic Testing - What we are looking for is very basic operational testing.

• Does it Install properly?
• Does it enable without errors?
• Does the Preferences menu open and close properly?
• Does the starting menu open and close properly?
• Do the menus appear to be working properly?

Extended Testing for Operation - Then later more complete testing.


I've added this to the Instructions Tab in the Spreadsheet, and how to edit your config/ini file to be able to access the Plugin Beta Catalog.

[rgleason]

The process is almost complete, but we need an easy way to communicate to everyone.


1. PI Devs send notice that testing is needed after identifying which plugin in the spreadsheet.
2. Testing responses are via editing the spreadsheet and creating github issues.


There is a mail script we could use, but would PI Devs all be able to use it?
Is there a better way to notify using the forum thread and github discussions or issue? - Maybe that is better?

[rgleason]

I decided we did not want to discourage those who don't have a github account from testing, so I modified this sentence.
It is more important that the testing get done.

7. When entering [F] github users can use a new "Issue" in the plugins github repository to fully describe the problem. Others leave a short description to the right.

Also we will receive new issue notices from github.

[Aldebaran17]

I guess my environment is one, which is still in the list where testers are looked for:

PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)"
NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="10"
VERSION="10 (buster)"
VERSION_CODENAME=buster
ID=raspbian

It is an open plotter install on RPi4, with all (?) updates done. Currently running OpenCPN 5.6.2.

So, if my need is needed, here is some feedback.

Plugins tested (simple test: just installing and opening them)

AIS Radar
Celestial Navigation
Climatology
Dashboard
Dashboard Tactics
Watchdog
VDR

Seriously using:

Dashboard
Dashboard Tactics
TwoCan
O-charts

Best,

Manfred

[rgleason]

@Aldebaran
This kind of report is very helpful! I wish more users would contribute in this way. Thank you. May I add you to the Volunteer Testing list since this OS Raspbian GNU/Linux 10 (buster) is not covered yet?

PS, please PM me with your email so I can add it to Testing spreadsheet. Thanks

We need to have at least 2-3 testers for each OS, as we all enjoy sailing as well and may be away.

Originally Posted by Aldebaran17

I guess my environment is one, which is still in the list where testers are looked for:

PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)"
NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="10"
VERSION="10 (buster)"
VERSION_CODENAME=buster
ID=raspbian

It is an open plotter install on RPi4, with all (?) updates done. Currently running OpenCPN 5.6.2.

So, if my need is needed, here is some feedback.

Plugins tested (simple test: just installing and opening them)

AIS Radar
Celestial Navigation
Climatology
Dashboard
Dashboard Tactics
Watchdog
VDR

Seriously using:

Dashboard
Dashboard Tactics
TwoCan
O-charts

Best,

Manfred

[rgleason]

@Aldebaran Manfred Is this gtk3 or not? Also please PM your email so you have access to the test spreadsheet. Thanks.

PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)"
NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux"