From b0241afa8c033cf13de0f268ed4403822b12424c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: antrik Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2009 08:40:58 +0100 Subject: Rework introduction section in GSoC project ideas list Make it clear that we explicitely require the students to contact us, and to submit a patch as part of the application process. Most of this information is redundant with the introduction section of the student application form. This is not a problem: If they read it twice, there is a better chance that they will take it seriously... --- community/gsoc/project_ideas.mdwn | 81 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------- 1 file changed, 54 insertions(+), 27 deletions(-) diff --git a/community/gsoc/project_ideas.mdwn b/community/gsoc/project_ideas.mdwn index 00d3a702..fb5849b2 100644 --- a/community/gsoc/project_ideas.mdwn +++ b/community/gsoc/project_ideas.mdwn @@ -8,33 +8,60 @@ Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled [[GNU_Free_Documentation_License|/fdl]]."]]"""]] -This list offers a wide range of tasks: From rather straightforward to pretty -involved ones; from low-level kernel hacking (drivers, VM) to high-level -translators; from fixing bugs, implementing new functionality based on existing -interfaces, to creating totally new mechanisms. - -If you have questions regarding the projects, or if there is more than one that -you are interested in and you are unsure which to choose, don't hesitate to -[[contact_us|communication]]. - -Most project descriptions mention a possible exercise related to the respective -task. Doing this exercise is part of the application process -- the purpose is -to get more familiar with the stuff you will need to complete the project and -with the Hurd community. Contact us if you encounter any difficulties -- we -will assist you with as well as we can :-) - -Please report on the progress you make with the exercise. This allows us to get -a better picture of how well you can cope with the task; as well as how well -you manage the necessary communication with us :-) - -The exercise is part of the application process, but it's perfectly OK if you -do it only after handing in the first version of your application. (The -experience you get with the exercise should help you to further improve your -application afterwards...) In general, don't hesitate too long -- the sooner -you submit your first proposal, the sooner we can give feedback! - -Take a look at our [[application_template|student_application_form]] to get an -idea what your application should contain. +We offer a wide range of possible projects to choose from. If you have an idea +not listed here, we'd love to hear about it! + +In either case, we encourage you to contact us (on [[IRC]] and/or our developer +[[mailing_lists]]), so we can discuss your idea, or help you pick a suitable +task -- we will gladly explain the tasks in more detail, if the descriptions +are not clear enough. + +In fact, we suggest you discuss your choice with us even if you have no trouble +finding a task that suits you: as explained in the introduction section of the +[[student_application_form]], we ask all students to get into regular +communication with us for the application to be considered complete. Talking +about your project choice is a good start :-) + +(We strongly suggest that you generally take a look at the +[[student_application_form]] right now -- the sooner you know what we expect, +the better you can cater to it :-) ) + +Many of the project descriptions suggest some "exercise". The reason is that +for the application to be complete, we require you to make a change to the Hurd +code, and send us the resulting patch. (This is also explained in the +[[student_application_form]].) If possible, the change should make some +improvement to the code you will be working on during the summer, or to some +related code. The "exercise" bit in the project description is trying to give +you some ideas what kind of change this could be. + +Sometimes it's hard to come up with a useful improvement to the code in +question, that isn't too complicated for the purposes of the application. In +this case, we need to find a good alternative. You could for example make an +improvement to some Hurd code that is not directly related to your project: +this way you won't get familiar with working on the code you will actually need +for the task, but at least you can show that you are able to work with the Hurd +code in general. + +Another possible alternative would be making some change to the code in +question, that isn't really a useful improvement, while still making sense in +some way -- this could suffice to prove that you are able to work with the +code. + +Don't despair if you can't come up with anything suitable by yourself. Contact +us, and we will think of something together :-) + +In either case, we strongly suggest that you talk to us about the change you +want to make up front, to be sure that it is something that will get our +approval -- especially if the idea is not directly taken from the project +description. + +Also, don't let this whole patch stuff discourage you from applying! As +explained in the [[student_application_form]], it's not a problem if you do not +yet have all the necessary knowledge to do this alone -- we don't expect that. +After all, the purpose of GSoC is to introduce you to free software development +:-) We only want to see that you are able to obtain the necessary knowledge +before the end of the application process, with our help -- contact us, and we +will assist you as well as we can. [[inline pages="community/gsoc/project_ideas/* and !*/discussion" -- cgit v1.2.3