Hi,
Here is my monthly report for September 2013 (+ the beginning of October).
Let's also use this opportunity to call for help on two key parts of our
infrastructure.
Outline:
--------
- Call for help: dak developers
- Call for help: debbugs developers
- Outreach Program for Women
- Interview & talk
- Assets
- DPL Helpers and DPL TO-DO list
Call for help: dak developers
=============================
dak (Debian Archive Kit) is the software suite behind the Debian archive.
It receives and processes packages uploads, manages all the meta-data
about packages, and generates the Packages and Sources files that contain
the list of packages.
There are several ideas of improvements floating around that would greatly
improve Debian (e.g.; source-only or binary-throw-away uploads to increase
trust in packages one downloads, developer repositories[1] to untangle
transitions from unstable to testing), but unfortunately the FTP team
members are busy people.
dak is written in Python. Its source is available at [2], and local setup
instructions are in [3]. Give it a try! If you have questions, direct them
to the debian-dak@ mailing list[4].
[1] https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2013/05/msg00131.html
[2] http://ftp-master.debian.org/git/dak.git/
[3] http://anonscm.debian.org/gitweb/?p=mirror/dak.git;a=tree;f=setup
[4] https://lists.debian.org/debian-dak/
Call for help: debbugs developers
=================================
debbugs is the piece of software behind the Debian Bugs Tracking System
(BTS). It is also used by the GNU project[1]. Despite often being
perceived as old-style, it features several unique features, such as the
tracking of the status of bugs in each version and branch of a package
(example: [2]), or the ability to perform all interactions via email,
making it very easy to work offline or in poorly-connected environments.
Debbugs is written in Perl, its source is available from [3], there is a
testing harness available, and lists of known bugs are available from
http://bugs.debian.org/bugs.debian.org (Debian instance of debbugs) and
http://bugs.debian.org/debbugs (debbugs itself). Direct questions to the
debian-debbugs@ mailing list[4].
[1] http://debbugs.gnu.org/
[2] http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/version.cgi?info=1;absolute=0;collapse=1;found=iceweasel%2F2.0%2Bdfsg-1;fixed=iceweasel%2F23.0.1-1;package=iceweasel
[3] http://bugs.debian.org/debbugs-source/debbugs.git
[4] https://lists.debian.org/debian-debbugs/
Outreach Program for Women
==========================
Debian is participating in the GNOME Outreach Program for Women[1,2]. Many
thanks to Brian Gupta and Paul Tagliamonte for volunteering as OPW
coordinators. The list of proposed projects is available from Debian's OPW
page[3]. Please apply!
Also, a fundraising campaign will start in the very near future. Let's
all try to get many Debian participants.
[1] http://gnome.org/opw/
[2] https://wiki.gnome.org/OutreachProgramForWomen
[3] https://wiki.debian.org/OutreachProgramForWomen
Interview & talk
================
I gave an interview for the Frostcast podcast (by Jonathan Nadeau, who was
doing the This Week in Debian podcast some time ago):
mp3: http://frostbitemedia.org/sites/default/files/frostcast085-debian.mp3
ogg: http://frostbitemedia.org/sites/default/files/frostcast085-debian.ogg
I gave my first talk as the DPL to the general public at Open World Forum
2013[1]. Slides are available[2].
[1] http://www.openworldforum.org
[2] http://www.lucas-nussbaum.net/blog/?p=800
Assets
======
Authorizing expenses by DSA without prior DPL approval
------------------------------------------------------
A process to streamline small (FSVO small) expenses by Debian System
Administrators was announced[1]. It removes the DPL from the critical
path when buying replacement hardware, paying shipping costs, etc.
[1] https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2013/10/msg00001.html
Donation of debian.us
---------------------
The 'debian.us' domain name was kindly donated to Debian by Bogdan Ionita.
Thanks!
Sprints
-------
A DebianMed sprint will be held in Aberdeen at the beginning of 2014[1].
Expected cost for Debian: ~2000 EUR
A release team sprint is in the process of being scheduled.
[1] https://wiki.debian.org/DebianMed/Meeting/Aberdeen2014
DPL Helpers and DPL TO-DO list
==============================
Two DPL helpers meetings took place in september:
- 2013-09-11:
Agenda: http://anonscm.debian.org/gitweb/?p=dpl/dpl-helpers.git;a=blob_plain;f=meetings/20130911/agenda.txt;hb=HEAD
Minutes: http://meetbot.debian.net/debian-dpl/2013/debian-dpl.2013-09-11-16.59.html
Minutes (text): http://meetbot.debian.net/debian-dpl/2013/debian-dpl.2013-09-11-16.59.txt
Log: http://meetbot.debian.net/debian-dpl/2013/debian-dpl.2013-09-11-16.59.log.html
- 2013-09-25:
Agenda: http://anonscm.debian.org/gitweb/?p=dpl/dpl-helpers.git;a=blob_plain;f=meetings/20130925/agenda.txt;hb=HEAD
Minutes: http://meetbot.debian.net/debian-dpl/2013/debian-dpl.2013-09-25-16.59.html
Minutes (text): http://meetbot.debian.net/debian-dpl/2013/debian-dpl.2013-09-25-16.59.txt
Log: http://meetbot.debian.net/debian-dpl/2013/debian-dpl.2013-09-25-16.59.log.html
The next DPL helpers meeting is scheduled on 2013-10-09.
Here is the current state of the DPL TO-DO list. As noted last month,
obviously not all items have the same importance or urgency -- some of
them are listed just because "it would be nice if this was done and there
was activity recently, so I'm keeping an eye on them". If you feel like
helping with one of the items listed below, please contact me for details
(or just proceed). Thanks!
("C:" means "current status:", "N:" means "Next action:")
*** projects/ideas to help move forward / make sure it happens:
**** new contributors related
- Debian Welcome team (C: http://deb.li/ctX2 + BOF during DebConf - http://deb.li/w3bM . recent email: http://deb.li/3tCUj )
- "recruit" some example packages to point prospective contributors to. (N: send mail to -devel@, ping major teams)
- adjust documentation around 'gift' tag, or rename the tag. See http://deb.li/GWs4
- debbugs submissions via http (C: ? ask asheesh)
**** other
- Debian Code of Conduct (C: http://deb.li/3wRWh ; N: iterate with a new version?)
- binary-throw-away uploads -- related to reproducible builds (C: http://deb.li/3NPsz N: dak work)
- Debian PPA (would make transitions much easier to manage) (C: implementation not started yet AFAIK N: dak work)
- [trademark] define a policy for the handling of debian.* domain names
*** delegations and teams
- debian-installer team (key team for swift releases) (C: http://deb.li/b0tF ; N: write and send call for help?)
- debbugs (C: team with low manpower N: check status, write call for help?)
- [rafw] check status / aliveness of Debian events team (N: ping)
- [richih] press team (C: someone stepped down. N: update delegation)
- release team delegation (C: dpl-helpers.git:release-delegation.txt + http://lists.alioth.debian.org/pipermail/dpl-helpers/2013-September/000088.html N: update draft delegation, iterate with team)
- [lucas] discuss the debconf chairs delegation with debconf team
*** various other things
- [lucas/auditor] formalize process for reimbursement RT tickets
- [bgupta] formally define the roles and responsibilities of our TOs
- [bgupta] look at donations using cryptocurrencies
- write DPL part of DebConf13 final report. (C: http://deb.li/hHwh)
- [rafw] check that anti-harrassement is mentioned on Debian website
- [lucas] deal with DC13 surplus
- [bgupta] confirm the final stored currency for debian.ch paypal account
- [richih] add Debian logins to http://www.debian.org/intro/organization.en.html
- [lucas] write call for helps to be included in next bits from DPL, for debbugs, dak, d-i
*** Blocked / To watch
- package for dvd playing library. was reviewed by ftpmasters (N: Dmitry Smirnov to include feedback and provide a description of the packaging that can be reviewed by SFLC)
- FSF recognition as a free distro (WIP: non-free.org; blocker: fsf-provided list of issues)
- discuss new nm.debian.org website and possible integration with the DM workflow (with the DM keyring team)
Day-to-day log
==============
As usual, my day-to-day log of DPL activities is
available on master:/srv/leader/news/bits-from-the-DPL.txt.201309
- Lucas
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