Rick Scott

Rick Scott is a Canadian philosopher-geek who's profoundly interested in how we can collaborate to make technology work better for everyone. Rick's an incorrigible idealist, an open source contributor, and a staunch believer in testing, universal access, and the hacker ethic. When he's not in front of a computer, you'll find Rick hiking, making cupcakes, or honing his viola technique.

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All Stories by Rick Scott

The Perl Programming Language Turns Twenty-Five

Arguably the first general purpose scripting language, the first version of the Perl programming language was publicly released on December 18, 1987, by its creator, Larry Wall. Rick Scott details the programming language's historical significance, strengths, culture, and relevance today.

How Software Testers Can Benefit from Keeping a Notebook

Software testing is an intellectually challenging activity. Our effectiveness as testers depends on the clarity, creativity, and organization of our thinking. However, teaching yourself to think better is an interesting challenge. Many people find keeping a notebook is helpful.

When Does Choosing a Mediocre Technology Make Sense?

The technology world is obsessed with the latest and greatest. This doesn't come as a surprise. After all, we're all about innovation and building something better today than we built yesterday. Are there times when choosing a mediocre option—or even the worst option—makes sense?

Testing and the Maker Mindset

Many bugs arise not because of a failure of effort, but because of a failure of imagination—nobody thought of the combination of events that makes them occur. Rick Scott looks at testing and what differentiates people who are creative problem solvers, inventors, and engineers—the makers.

What Is Bug Chaining?

Dealing with groups of bugs is one of the places where conventional bug-tracking systems often fall down. Enter bug chaining, an idea originating in the security testing community, that combines different bugs of low severity to create a defect of high severity.

Is Silicon Valley Morally Bankrupt?

The technological progress engendered by the tech industry seems to be accepted as an unmitigated good—one that excuses a fairly broad swath of potential shortcomings. Should the pursuit of innovation excuse you from complying with the laws of the land? Is this moral bankruptcy or just business?

Cultivating a Great Workplace

The prevailing way of justifying workplace benefits is to paint them as a vital tool to attract and retain staff in a competitive marketplace. If we look at things more holistically though, we can view these benefits as one component of building a company where people actually like to work.

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