Fifth Question

a) A systematic approach to identifying specific equivalent classes of input.
b) The steps to be taken to get the system to a given point
c) Testing to verify that the test environment can be integrated with the product.
d) The process of anticipating or guessing where defects might occur.

End of Round Four

Why?
Two main points: creativity and assessment of situation.

My view
In that situation you are left with two options:
1) Tell the joke
2) Get out of telling it
Firstly, it is very hard to make a neutral joke in general. In the current situation You’d have to consider that can be joked about and whatnot. You ‘d have to consider what would happen if the CEO or someone at his side would be offended by the joke. Nor should it be something that the CEO does not understand – making him look bad/stupid. That does not leave much room for topics on what to joke about. Most probable should be something that everyone dislikes – computer problems or state bureaucracy for example. Or if you know anything about the CEO you can use that info to find a common “enemy” – violin players. Etc.

Secondly, getting out of it seems best way not to offend the CEO, but in the same time You should consider how it makes You (and Your company) look. You should not appear dim-witted or shy. Probably the best way to get out of it is by pointing the heat to someone else stating that he/she is the funniest guy here. That is easy for you but not so good for the company if the guy does not live up to your statement.

So there are no easy options. Be creative. And remember the CEO and others are just people too.

The following are the answers :

Tester 1:
“Sorry I'm a little busy at the moment, I just found a huge bug in the product you are using. Maybe a little bit later?“

Tester 2:
“In Estonia to make a joke, you need a joke tooth.
After verification I am sorry to admit that joke tooth is lost.”

Tester 3:
(When after introduction it can be recognized that CEO knows something about his company products and have a sense of humour)
”I have been using B&O DVD2 as an external source for two days now and it hasn't crash once!”

Tester 4:
“How many hardware engineers does it take to change a light bulb?
- None. We'll fix it in software."

Tester 5:
“Question: How many software testers does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: None. Software testers just noticed that the room was dark. Testers don't fix the problems, they just find them.”


Tester 6:
Choosing a joke for that kind of a conversation really depends on how well the conversation has evolved and how much i've noticed what my opponent actually likes. Without getting to know him well enough it is always easier to go with classic and rather simple jokes to be sure he understands it properly.
So here is what i'd tell him:

”Customer: Gee, if these machines are sold way under cost like you state they are, how do you make a living?"
Salesman: Simple.... we make our money fixing them."

Tester 7:
"Q: Homeless guy finds a computer and switches it on. What is the first thing he would check?
A: The content of Recycle Bin."

Tester 8:
“We cleaned our office four days for your half an hour tour around our company. And you looked only half of rooms.”