[Google SOC] Forests and named branches

Peter Arrenbrecht peter.arrenbrecht at gmail.com
Tue Mar 25 07:29:11 CDT 2008


On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 9:55 PM, Stefano <stefano at inventati.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>    I'm an italian student and I'm attending my 2-years specialized
>  degree in Computer Science.
>  I'm quite new in Open Source Development, but I know Python quite well
>  and I've been using
>  Mercurial for about 1 year, but just for my own projects that are mainly
>  university related.

Hi Stefano, this sounds excellent!

>  I'm interested in the 'Repository forests' feature and the 'Improved
>  named branches' one.
>  I'm trying to take in all the work that needs to be done about them, but
>  surely I'll need some time to
>  discuss with everyone that is already working on them.
>
>  As I said, this would be my first approach to a big project but you
>  know, there's always a first time...
>  Do let me know if you need more information about me and my skills.

I don't know either of these two areas too well from personal
experience, but I think in both of them there is a considerable amount
of talk on the list right now about where to take them. So I fear that
tackling both of them would be too much (in case that's what you meant
to do).

Also, I think you would have to do a fair amount of requirements
gathering and moderating of the discussions on the list before you
could start actually coding much (except maybe for prototypes). By
moderating I mean things like trying to keep track of where the
discussion is, maybe from time to time recapitulating the current
propositions to refocus everyone, etc, apart from expounding your own
ideas yourself. Are you ready for that? Quite possibly, your
contribution will end up consisting less of code than of guiding the
discussion towards a satisfactory design. So communication skills will
be essential, I figure.

If anyone disagrees with this view, speak up! As I said, I'm not
really familiar with the areas.

Oh, and have you already applied with the GSoC programme? Deadline is March 31.
http://groups.google.com/group/google-summer-of-code-announce/web/guide-to-the-gsoc-web-app-for-student-applicants

>
>  Regards,
>
>  Stefano Tortarolo (astratto on IRC)

Cheers,
-peo

ps. Please excuse the delay. I guess everyone was busy getting 1.0 out
the door, or - as I was - enjoying the Easter break.


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