Robert Casto
Software Developer and Performance Engineer
Security Just Keeps Getting In My Way
01104 days
One of the most difficult things to deal with when performance testing is security. It is designed to stop the very things we need to do to generate server load. Basic security protects a system from robot attacks, multiple logins, invalid permissions, and more. Many of the techniques used in performance testing are similar to attacks that attempt to compromise a system.
How do you deal with security then? I usually ask that it be turned off on the systems I am going to test. A lot of time and effort can be wasted trying to make an application play by the rules. For example, if a system allows only one login at a time and you need to simulate 1000 clients, you will need to have 1000 users defined. Worse, you will need to manage the use of all those logins across the machines being used to run the performance test. It becomes a data management nightmare and can cause endless frustration.
Some security rules only allow one instance of an application to connect to the server from an IP address. This makes it impossible to use a tool that spawns multiple threads or processes to simulate multiple clients.Now it might be impossible to turn security off or there may be rules against it. If that is the case then there are not a lot of options. But if it is at all possible, I suggest that you have security turned off while doing performance tests and avoid all of these problems entirely.
Extend Voucher Program to Investors
01107 days
Why not make the $8k voucher program available to investors? Instead of limiting the program to people who are looking to buy their primary residence, how about we get these homes off the market. Granted, there are investors who should not be allowed to participate in the program. Criteria should be setup to ensure that the right investors are being encouraged to purchase homes. Requiring them to have tons of cash on hand is not a solution. It just limits the investors chosen to those who have lots of money anyway. They can afford to buy up houses at deep discounts. Instead, find the small investor who has less homes than the Fannie Mae loan limit which sits at 9 right now. Help them buy another home or two so that they can successfully manage the property as a productive asset. Tenants need places to live, but if the investor is having trouble, it is going to affect the tenant. There are lots of small investors out there who cannot buy homes because of how tight credit is, and the increase in rates and requirements they must meet to purchase a home. Freeing up these small investors to buy a home or two will take lots of homes off the market. It is also very likely that the homes will be managed much better as it will be more than just another home. It will be their 3rd home or 8th home. Some of these small time investors will make it big and buy up yet more homes. They just need an environment where they can grow. Right now there are so many rules, limits, regulations, and requirements; it is impossible for them to take advantage of the cheap housing that is flooding the market today.
Another Wave of Foreclosures in the Making?
01108 days
Buying a house is a huge decision and one that should not be entered into lightly. Unfortunately, thousands of people have done just that and we have foreclosures everywhere. The government wants to give everyone 10% or $8k (whichever is less) vouchers for buying a house to simulate sales. They are even considering letting people use that $8k as a down payment. Will this not cause a second wave of foreclosures? The program is only for those who are buying their primary residence. If they need $8k from the government as a down payment to buy the home, they should not be buying at all.
Replace My Gas Guzzler? No Way!
01111 days
Recently the government wants all of us to turn in our gas guzzlers and buy more efficient vehicles. While the idea sounds good in principle, I think it will only help those who were going to buy a new vehicle anyway. I drive a Ford F150 for utility reasons. I use it to haul mulch, drywall, recycling materials, lawn mower, lumber, and lots of other things. For me, having a truck is all about its utility. I cannot haul 2 cubic yards of mulch in car or van. Yes, it gets 17 miles to the gallon, but the vehicle saves me time and money because of all the things I can do with it.
My vehicle qualifies for the voucher program being considered, but why would I want to buy another vehicle in this economy? They want to give me money toward the purchase of a more efficient vehicle. But it will cost me money because I’ll have to get a loan or pay cash for the difference. Why would anyone want to do that, especially when future income may be in doubt? I’m trying to avoid expenses and make due with what I have. Buying a newer vehicle means higher insurance, less money in my pocket, and a vehicle that I am more afraid to put a scratch on. I think I’ll just stick with my 100% paid for Ford F150.
