Help Wanted: Pilot Test Volunteers

When new software versions or upgraded operating systems become available, your Ag IT staff swiftly steps forward to install the new products and test it for features, stability, ease of use, etc. Once the software passes our rigorous testing, it is made available to the College. Eventually, the older version of that product ages out, and everyone moves closer to the newest version.

The problem with this plan is that you use your computer and your software for very different tasks and in very different ways than we do in Ag IT. We don't often make labels, rarely develop PowerPoint presentations, and almost never use our computers to peer through a microscope. We'd love to have some volunteers who would be willing to test some pieces of software before we declare it "College of Ag Ready!"

This program is doubly-voluntary….you volunteer to go on the list of pilot-testers and then, when an opportunity arises, you get to volunteer to give that specific product a rigorous testing. More importantly there is no obligation….if we call for testers and it is not a convenient time for you then you tell us no.

During the testing period you qualify for the "Expedited, go-to-the-head-of-the-line, quick-response support program" which means, if you have trouble with software that you're testing, we'll be with you as partners in the testing and will help you over the hurdles. Another safeguard for you is that we're not testing pre-release software…we're testing validated software in our environment, and we don't want to see it or you fail!

If you are interested in joining in, just send an email indicating your willingness to AgCompSupport and we'll add you to the list.