Best way to be updated in Software Testing field

Just a few days ago, I posted one question on Software Testing Club site. I got few replies. Interestingly, those replies contains some really good links to read and surf. Hence I am posting whole conversion as it is. Hope this will helpful to you (specially blog and other sites links present below):

Question:

What's the best way to keep updated on the latest & ongoing in Software Testing field?

Hi All,

One more tricky question from my side? How can we remain updated on all the latest news and knowledge in out Testing field?

Often we don't have much time so that we can surf on net and read the articles on the current happenings in Testing field. Even sometime we are too busy in our jobs and daily routine that we are even don't bother to upgrade (or enhance I can say) our knowledge. Can anyone show some best way for this? Currently I am living in India and I haven't heard any of community or gathering in India for the Testing field.

I know my question seems to be so silly for some people but it's very grateful if anyone can answer.

Thanks & Regards,

Priyank

Replies:

Reply by Shmuel Gershon for main question:

Pryiank, hanging around this club is a pretty good way to start keeping up-to-date: you have discussions, a huge blogroll, invitation to events...

To that, you can add Twitter if you like a stream of information overloading :).

India has many events, communities and gatherings. This site gathers some of them: http://www.softwaretestingclub.com/groups/group/search?q=india

India also has an active Weekend Testing community, I saw you participated a bit on their forums.

That said, any activity to improve your skills and keep up-to-date will demand time, I can't think of any solution that is effortless. :)

Reply by Priyank Shah for above answer of Shmuel:

Thanks for the link with indian testing community names Shmuel.

And I am not talking about keeping updated with effortless, I am ready to work for this from my best. I have also joined and participate on Weekendtesting site but unfortunately I am not getting anything from it till now. I have already sent message on their skype Id for help. Lets see what I can get from it.

The other reason to ask this question is that, currently I am in a position on job that there is nothing new to learn. There is just mechanical work here. I have asked to change the project but it can be possible after more 3 months as I just joined here 3 months ago. I hope you understand this.

Thanks again,

Priyank

Reply by Jeff Lucas for above both answers of me & Shmuel:

"I have asked to change the project but it can be possible after more 3 months as I just joined here 3 months ago."

Ambition, questioning the process, actively striving to improve the quality of testing ... It seems you have learned a lot more than you realise. :)

My suggestion is to take one of your best ideas for improving the testing process and implement it "offline" - before work, at lunchtime, after work, on a weekend - and find some defects that would not show up in the standard test approach currently used. If results don't convince your team lead or management, then the organisation may have issues beyond just the test process.

                                                Reply by Ajay Balamurugadas for above both answers of me & Shmuel:

I think now you are able to attend the weekendtesting sessions. Hope you are getting value for your time there.

~Ajay Balamurugadas

Reply by John Stevenson for main question:

One of the easiest ways of being updated without having to remember lots of blog links etc is to use the software testing club RSS feed
http://feeds.feedburner.com/stcfeedsbloggers
Also look at the work done by weekend testing (started in India)
http://weekendtesting.com/
I also know that a group of tester meet up in Bangalore every so often might be a good idea to get in touch with:
Santhosh Tuppad (@santhosht - http://tuppad.com/blog/)
or
Pradeep Soundararajan (@testedtested - http://testertested.blogspot.com/)
or
Ajay Balamurugadas – (@ajay184f - http://www.enjoytesting.blogspot.com/)
They will point you in the right direction and with their wide expertise in the field of software testing provide you with some great guidance.
I hope you find some of this useful.
John

                Reply by halperinko for above answer of John:

And another very good RSS feed is the Software Quality Assurance Planet:

http://www.sqaplanet.com/aggregator/rss

 The advantage of RSS feeds, is that you don't need to search in vast number of sites, you get all in your browser or MS-Outlook etc.

Still - you need to pick a good aggregator, which has useful posts with as less redundant posts.

You can also make your own aggregator on

http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/

Kobi

Reply by Sharath Byregowda for main question:

Priyank,

 Dont feel shy to reach out to these 2 guys(as John suggested)

Santhosh Tuppad (@santhosht - http://tuppad.com/blog/)
or
Pradeep Soundararajan (@testedtested - http://testertested.blogspot.com/).

Both are excellent testers and have contributed a lot to testing world especially the Indian testing community.

Other than Weekend Testing there are bug battles, zappers event, tester's meetup, BWST (peer conferences) that you can be part of.

Other than the above events you can always pick the blogs, tweets that you would like to follow and read thru them and share your views with the authors. Public test forums like STC,  TR(It's been a while I logged onto this), STNZ, loads of groups in Linedkin are available for sharing.

            Hope you have a handful now :)

If any links is not working properly or not opening, let me know instantly.
As usual, any comments most welcome... :)