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This paper seeks to present a comparative study of the traditional usability‐testing process and the re‐engineered usability‐testing process for live multimedia systems.

Provides an overview of current usability‐testing techniques and usability laboratory configurations, and identifies some gaps in the traditional usability‐testing approach.

Traditional usability‐testing procedures are suitable for testing systems in the static environment but prove to be sub‐optimal in testing systems for dynamic (real‐time) environments.

The traditional set‐up is compared with innovative laboratory configuration, which consists of three computer systems: the test system in the middle augmented by two systems on either side that function as the scenario presenter and the data collection system. The re‐engineered usability‐testing process streamlined usability experiments and reduced the task completion times.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and evaluation of a geographical information system (GIS) testing framework that was used to test a fire prevention support GIS.

A year‐long case study was undertaken concerning the testing of a fire prevention support GIS in a UK fire and rescue service.

The GIS testing framework developed involved testing the different components of a GIS, testing their interactions, and then testing the system as a whole. Since GISs contain different components such as spatial analyses and map‐based output, this supports the adoption of a different testing framework compared to existing types of information systems.

GISs will typically be used by organisations for decision making. Clearly if the information presented by a GIS is inaccurate, unrepresentative, or unreliable, then the decision‐making process can be undermined.

This is particularly important with regard to GISs used by emergency services (such as the fire and rescue service studied) where lives could potentially be put at risk by erroneous information provided by such systems.

Previous research had indicated that GISs may be inadequately tested. The framework developed for GISs testing provided a systematic testing approach, reducing the likelihood of errors in such systems.

This study proposes targeted modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD's) Joint Forces Ammunition Logistics information system by implementing the optimized innovative information technology open architecture design and integrating Radio Frequency Identification Device data technologies and real-time optimization and control mechanisms as the critical technology components of the solution. The innovative information technology, which pursues the focused logistics, will be deployed in 36 months at the estimated cost of $568 million in constant dollars. We estimate that the Systems, Applications, Products (SAP)-based enterprise integration solution that the Army currently pursues will cost another $1.5 billion through the year 2014; however, it is unlikely to deliver the intended technical capabilities.

The objective of OSI conformance testing is to provide a standardized and rigorous means of determining the extent to which a specific implementation conforms to an OSI protocol specification. As part of its ILL Implementation Program, the National Library of Canada has developed a test system and service for the interlibrary loan (ILL) protocol using the ISO standard methodology for conformance testing (ISO 9656). Development of test suites, conformance testing tools, and conformance testing services are presented. The article also discusses related topics such as interoperability testing, arbitration testing, and international harmonization of conformance testing.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a propeller performance measurement method for high-altitude platforms by analyzing of the propeller aerodynamic characteristics and application of a mobile testing system.

An experimental approach is adopted for this study. Considering the aerodynamic characteristics of the high-altitude propeller, the similitude of the scaled propeller model in the experiment is analyzed and determined. Then, the experimental method and procedure to obtain the propeller’s performance under different altitudes are presented, and the structure of hardware and software and the key techniques of the testing system are introduced in detail.

The applicability and effectiveness of the testing system is verified through comparison between experimental and numerical results. In addition, the performance of the 6.8-m propeller for a high-altitude airship is tested, which proves that the high-altitude propeller can meet the requirements of the propulsion system.

The testing methodology and the mobile testing system could be applied to aerodynamic performance evaluation of the high-altitude propellers under different altitudes.

This testing approach exhibits significant time and cost benefits over many other experimental methods to obtain the performance of the high-altitude propellers, which is important in the preliminary design of the propulsion system for high-altitude platforms.

The purpose of this study is to review and summarise the existing available literature on lightweight cladding systems to provide detailed information on fire behaviour (ignitibility, heat release rate and smoke toxicity) and various test method protocols. Additionally, the paper discusses the challenges and provides updated knowledge and recommendation on selective-fire mechanisms such as rapid-fire spread, air cavity and fire re-entry behaviours due to dripping and melting of lightweight composite claddings.

A comprehensive literature review on fire behaviour, fire hazard and testing methods of lightweight composite claddings has been conducted in this research. In summarising all possible fire hazards, particular attention is given to the potential impact of toxicity of lightweight cladding fires. In addition, various criteria for fire performance evaluation of lightweight composite claddings are also highlighted. These evaluations are generally categorised as small-, intermediate- and large-scale test methods.

The major challenges of lightweight claddings are rapid fire spread, smoke production and toxicity and inconsistency in fire testing.

The review highlights the current challenges in cladding fire, smoke toxicity, testing system and regulation to provide some research recommendations to address the identified challenges.

Current online testing often lacks credibility, integrity, and reliability, though many online tests are implemented. Online testing with face recognition is a relatively new form of web‐based testing model in comparison to current testing. The purpose of this paper is to discuss implementation of face recognition technology to increase quiz efficacy and build credible online quiz systems.

While existing models of web‐based quiz systems are being improved, most current quiz models do not consider the function of fraud detection during a web‐based quiz. Online testing credibility includes the perceptions of the student and teacher on how the site would meet their expectations and how believable the testing scores are.

In a survey of faculty (25) and students (257) on online testing credibility, 80 percent of the teachers and 98 percent of the students doubt the score credibility of the current online testing system. After explaining and implementing face recognition system to the subjects, 74 percent of the teachers and 69 percent of the students positively believe the online testing result. According to hypothetical examination, face recognition, practicality, and interaction greatly shape users' opinions regarding online testing credibility.

The most prominent finding in this paper is that face recognition technology positively improves the online testing credibility.

Software testing is usually a very costly and time‐consuming phase in software development. As most software systems are modular, it is of great importance for the management to allocate the limited testing‐time among the software modules in an optimal way so that the highest quality and reliability of the complete system can be achieved. In this paper, the problem of optimal testing‐time allocation for modular software systems is studied. A generic formulation of the problem is presented based on nonhomogeneous Poisson process models. The aim is to maximize the operational reliability of the software system. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the optimisation algorithm and the solution. Furthermore, as software reliability growth models consist of a number of parameters, an example of a sensitivity analysis is also shown. Such a sensitivity study is useful as important model parameters can be identified given more attention.

The primary purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive strategy for performance, reliability and scalability (PSR) testing of multi‐tier web applications.

The strategy for PSR testing is presented primarily through examination of the intangible knowledge base in the PSR testing field. The paper also draws on relevant recent work conducted in the area of software performance evaluation.

The study revealed that appropriate testing procedures are critical for the success of web‐based multi‐tier applications. However, there was little academic work that collectively focused on PSR testing issues. This paper provides step‐by‐step testing procedures to ensure that web‐based applications are functioning well to meet user demands.

Given the rapid changes in technology and business environments, more applied research will be needed in the area of PSR testing to ensure the successful functioning of web‐based applications. For future studies, structured interviews or case‐study methods could be employed to present the views of online companies.

This paper provides a comprehensive strategy and the suggested steps for managers and technical personnel to ensure that the multi‐tier, web‐based applications are effective, scalable and reliable.