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?