Akeeba Backup is complex software, very dependent on the site and hosting environment configuration. While we do our best keeping it up to date and test it against a variety of configurations, we simply lack the vast resources of a mega-corporation. This has the effect of insufficient testing of each release on a wide scale, possibly leaving it open to bugs which would otherwise have been spotted and fixed.
Another problem we face is that we have to multi-task, by definition. We are developers, support personnel, web masters, documentation authors and translators. This constant focus shift occasionally lets minor bugs – and sometimes critical bugs – slip through the cracks.
To combat the effect of these problems, we have decided to assemble a team of volunteer testers, nick-named “JATS”. Our ambition is to gather a team of 15-20 individuals which will test release candidates on their servers (local and live) about a week before the actual release date, ensuring that such oversights no longer occur.
No programming skills required
That's true! If you control one or several Joomla! sites and are willing to run pre-release software on them, you can apply for this team!
Some extra qualifications which are most welcome are having a handful of sites with different sizes and configurations, running Joomla! on exotic server setups or understanding (and possibly patching) PHP code.
The work volume is generally small; JATS members will be called to test new releases every 3-4 weeks.
The JATS members will gain invaluable experience on operating Akeeba Backup and understanding the intricacies of different server setups and their effect on site operation and Akeeba Backup operation in particular. They will also have the privilege of immediate developer support on a private forum board and direct email communication with the team.
Apply now!
If you feel up to the task and walk to help Akeeba Backup become even better you can contact our Development Group Leader, Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos, and volunteer for JATS. Just send a private message to user nicholas in our support forum.
