B2G Test Drivers

What is B2G Test Drivers?

In order to have focused, hands-on testing of our Firefox OS before version 1.0 goes out the door later this year we need testers to use a device similar to final spec, with B2G installed on it, and use it as much as possible in the coming months so that we can ship a really high quality product that our users will love.

Every employee in Mountain View, San Francisco, and Toronto Spaces who is not already in possession of a B2G device for testing and development should get a device through this program so we can collect feedback from a wide range of usage and technical skills.

There will be an easy-to-use app on the home screen for you to send us text feedback if bug filing isn't your strong suit as well as a link to send feedback from a desktop browser. William R and Grace will also run challenges and provide incentives for regular testing and participation in providing feedback.

Why only in MV, SF, and TO Spaces?

We're targeting employees in these particular Spaces due to having access to Desktop Support (should the phone ever need to be re-flashed), QA & Devs (should you ever need to *show* someone the problem) and because it makes it easier for us to get the devices back from you when this program completes. Also, we'll be linking the asset tag on your device to your email and phone number so that we can have a two-way communication channel with you while you test the software so currently we can only make this request of MoCo and MoFo employees.

Who is running B2G Test Drivers?

This initiative is part of Release Management's work on getting to a v1.0 shipping product and is being coordinated by Lukas Blakk and Alex Keybl with help from many other teams (QA, SUMO, Crashkill, IT & Desktop Support) to tie in all the information needed.

What's the Master Plan?

Week of Sept 19th

• Sign up form is publicized to MV, TO, SF
  • Participants data will help us divide deployments into tiers of distribution:
    1. will use their own SIM card, primary phone
    2. will use as primary phone but need a SIM card provided
    3. not using as primary phone, no SIM card (wifi only)

Week of Sept 24th

• Devices arrive in MV
  • Testing the devices that deployment flashing/images and update channels work as desired for B2G Test Drivers
  • Devices are flashed with the B2G Test Drivers image (includes Feedback app)
    • Test Feedback app on the phone (should be in default install, should only need pref set once)
    • Test setting the asset_tag as config pref on phone for access by crash reports & update pings
  • Instructions created for individual deployment by Desktop Support staff in all three offices (setting the pref, the phone number if SIM card is provided as well)
• Additional encouragement sent to MV/SF/TO to sign up

Week of Oct 1st

• Devices are shipped to Toronto, and couriered to SF for distribution
• List of names to deploy phones to in each office created by Release Managment and sent to IT/Desktop Support
  • Create a form email to send to users in a batch letting them know phone is ready and where to pick up

Weeks of Oct 8th

• William and Grace start sending out regular texts/emails with tips for testing, encouragements, requests for feedback (competitions on feedback submission)
• Release Management starts to hold weekly meetings with key stakeholders (QA, SUMO, Crashkill, Dev, any others) to look at input gathered from the program and adjust our approach to tester engagement as needed