Spring Into Action with the Robot Framework Foundation!
As the flowers bloom and the days grow longer, the Robot Framework Foundation is abuzz with activity, propelling forward with exciting updates, and nurturing the seeds of innovation. Here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to and what’s blossoming on the horizon!
RoboCon 2024: A Tale of Two Formats
Digital Delights:
Our online edition of RoboCon 2024 garnered glowing reviews, much like a well-executed script passing all its tests. Participants described the experience with enthusiastic adjectives like “inspiring” and “engaging,” and the NPS score being 58, it was clearly an amazing overall experience. While the overall sentiment was akin to a standing ovation, navigating the virtual hallways of Gather.Town sometimes felt like a maze — exciting yet slightly perplexing. We’re taking your constructive critiques to heart, aiming to smooth out the digital experience just like debugging a tricky piece of code.
Key Online Insights:
- Encore-Worthy Sessions: Talks such as “Empowering Lives Through Automation” and “News about Robot Framework 7.0” not only drew applause but also ignited ideas, with many eager to translate these insights into their workflows.
In-Person Connections:
For those who joined us physically, RoboCon 2024 was a vibrant hub of human connection, the gamification made things even more exciting this year. Scoring an NPS of 86.8, it was evident that the event wasn’t just liked; it was loved. Yet, we strive not just for satisfaction but for absolute delight. Based on your suggestions, we’re keen on enhancing the comfort and visibility in the auditorium, ensuring every seat is the best seat in the house.
Key In-Person Highlights:
- Community Spirit: The atmosphere buzzed with networking and knowledge exchange, proving that the heart of our community beats strongest when we’re together.
- Highlighted Talks: “Scalable Test Automation in an Insurance Company” and “Bridging Innovation and Regulation in Embedded Software Testing with Robot Framework” were particularly well-received, offering relevant insights and innovative strategies.
Stay tuned in our YouTube for the release of the RoboCon 2024 talks!
Workgroups: The Engine Room of Innovation
Our dedicated workgroups are the gears that keep our mission moving smoothly. Here’s the latest from our bustling community:
- Core Development: Spearheaded by Pekka Klärck, this group focuses on integrating pull requests and maintaining the platform’s robustness. Janne Härkönen is currently enhancing the libdoc, with ongoing updates shared in our Slack channel #devel.
- Road Map Planning: The roadmap for 2024 includes the imminent RF 7.0.1 bug fix release, the RF 7.1 feature release in mid-year, and preliminary planning for RF 7.2 or 8.0 starting in September. This group stays busy ensuring our future releases align with community needs and technological advancements.
- Certifications: We’re actively developing a structured certification process to standardize Robot Framework skills. After this summer, we’ll be seeking beta testers to help refine this initiative. Your participation could be crucial to its success.
- Web Presence and Community Education: We’ve initiated several projects to enhance our website and documentation, aiming for a more user-friendly experience. The community platform team is seeking more feedback, especially to improve our forum’s functionality.
- Event Organization and Marketing Initiatives: We’re vigorously planning and promoting events, such as the upcoming meetups in Münster and in Bruno. Our marketing efforts are in full swing on social media — your likes and shares help extend our reach.
- Robot Framework Ambassador Program: Plans are underway to launch this program in 2025, aiming to enhance our visibility and impact globally. Stay tuned for more details as this exciting initiative unfolds.
Call to Action
We invite you to get involved! For more information or to offer your skills, please reach out to us. Whether you want to join a workgroup, participate in the community or simply learn more, your involvement is invaluable.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To all who have signed up, contributed, and dedicated their efforts — for the love of our community and the spirit of open source — we extend our deepest gratitude. Your commitment is the foundation of our success.
As we continue to grow and improve, we are inspired by your enthusiasm and dedication. Here’s to a season of spectacular achievements with the Robot Framework Foundation!
Yours truly,
Miikka Solmela
Executive Director, Robot Framework Foundation
