Gsoc2012 checklist

Your GSOC 2012 Checklist

presentation available at: http://tinyurl.com/gsoc2012tips

Overview● Background● Checklist● Questions

Background

What is Google Summer of Code?

A way to contribute to Free Software: ● Free Software Projects apply to participate● Free Software Projects provide mentors● GSOC Students are 'hired' by the Projects● Code for the Summer

What types of projects?Desktop Operating SystemsWeb ApplicationsContent Management SystemsFoundations (e.g. Connexions, Sunlight Foundation)

How many participants? last year 175 organizations participated (some organizations will hire multiple students)1115 Students* participated. *1 Student from the Caribbean Participated

Why do GSOC?ExperienceLearningPerspectiveStipend

Not all projects are EqualTIPS:● Look for Newbie Friendly projects● If it requires a skill that less persons know

(and you know it) It might be a good idea● If you have been contributing to a project

already see if they will be participating● Find ways to contribute to open source

projects

GSOC 2012 TimelineFeb 7 - Mar 9 - Organizations Apply

Mar 16 - Accepted Organizations AnnouncedMar 17 - Would be students begin discussions with OrganizationsMar 26 - Apr 6 - Students submit applicationsApril 20 - Mentors and Students MatchedApril 25 - Students Announced

May 21 - Begin Code!July 13 - Midterm EvaluationAug 20 - 'Pencils Down'

view GSOC2012 calendar

What did I do?I worked on the Rhaptos ProjectRhaptos is the project that powers cnx.org

○ a place to view and share user contributed educational material.

○ collaborative edu development■ modules■ courses■ books

What did I do?I worked on the Rhaptos Project

Psychic Currency: Tricking out Author Profiles, Content Widget for showing off content, Enhanced Impact Metrics

What did I do?I worked on the Rhaptos Project Author Profile Widget(see screencast: http://screencast.com/t/ZdTOOxNJqGqG)

What I did ... cont'dHere are some of my notes: https://trac.rhaptos.org/trac/rhaptos/wiki/GoogleSummerOfCodeAuthorProfiles Spent at least 2 weeks just figuring things outSpent another 2 weeks 'barking up the wrong tree'

What I learntXSLTJSONPEXTJS Other technologies that I used:JQueryJSONPythonPlone

Checklist

CAUTION:THIS IS A FULL JOB

● PLAN ACCORDINGLY

Checklist

● Prerequisites● Skill and Interest Inventory● Keep a Blog● Open Source Contribution● Identify a project (or two)● Speak to project persons early● Apply early

PrerequisitesWhat you need to sign upYou need to be a student (BSc., Masters, PHd (not sure about diploma))18 years or olderYou don't need to be a computer science student read all the prerequisites at the GSOC site

Skill and inventory listList of what you like and are good at.eg. Javascript, Jquery, CSS, Python, Plone You can use this when trying to match yourself to a project.

BlogKeeping a blog helps to let people know what you're interested in.

Open Source ContributionParticipation in the Open Source Community ● Bug reports● Documentation● Sample Code (from anywhere, if it's useful

open source it, share a snippet on your blog)● Code Contributions

○ bug fixes○ enhancements

Open Source Contribution:How to get involved with Plone

1. Join the Plone.org website (get a user account)

2. Chat in IRC (http://plone.org/support/chat)3. Use Plone, Learn Plone (try it out, ask

questions)4. Submit Bugs via http://dev.plone.org5. Write some code (join Plone Tune-up Days)*6. Read Planet Plone and the Mailing lists.

*Next Tune-up is Feb 24, 2012

Identify a Project (or two)● Browse the projects (filter based on your skill

and interest)● Select a few and begin to discuss with

persons from the project● If you have an idea, also speak to persons in

the project● You will need to write a separate application

for each project that captures your interest.

Identify a Project (or two):GSOC 2012 Plone IdeasYou can get lots more by chatting in IRC● Collective Theme manager● Improve Zopeskel/Dexterity (code

generation and development)● Roundtrip style development for DexterityPersonal Ideas:● A Drag and Drop form builder for YAFOWIL● Placeholder Theming System http://www.slideshare.net/davisagli/dexterity-in-the-wild-10113312 (end of presentation has a list of ways Plone could be improved)

Speak to Project Persons Early● If possible, speak to your potential mentor(s)● Speak to users of the software about your

idea

Apply Earlyeach project may have variations to the application proces... KEEP IN TOUCH with them● Start filling out the application online (even

before you have all your info, the form stays open until the deadline)

● Read and re-read the project's specific requirements

● Take time to prepare for interviews

Questions?