I'm really a horrible person and I'm excellent at writing files like debian/rules. From my perspective it's perfectly clear that a simple tool designed to write perfect debian/rules files would have no chance at writing a debian/copyright file. I understand that for decades there has been a large group of hard working individuals that excel at writing both. I'd like to point out a need, and a desire on my part, for this to change. I've been told that in order to write a good debian/copyright one must have interment knowledge of a package and therefore be part of the packaging team. I fail to see how the two relate, there is a lot more that goes into a package then just the debian/copyright and unlike the debian/rules it stands alone as it doesn’t interface with any other part of the Debian Package, excepting that the original source is not part of the Debian Package(at least in this instance). Both files interface with the original source, but that's where the similarities end. I've also been told that having a single maintainer responsible for the package as a whole is a good idea. I say one can easily split technical and legal responsibility without the need for any gray lines. Doing so reduces the knowledge base, an important part of finding the right ppl. Allowing for more knowledgeable technical writers, like myself, to write excellent packages and debian/rules files further improving the quality of Debian. 1. I see a clear benefit. 2. I see a long road ahead. 3. I see an eventual finish where Package Maintainers and Helpers can either focus on debian/rules or debian/copyright without the need to be familiar at all with the other. I offer up this edit for your review. I understand many might hate and oppose the idea of splitting the two. Thank you.
Index: english/intro/help.wml =================================================================== RCS file: /cvs/webwml/webwml/english/intro/help.wml,v retrieving revision 1.11 diff -u -r1.11 help.wml --- english/intro/help.wml 11 Apr 2010 13:38:53 -0000 1.11 +++ english/intro/help.wml 22 Mar 2012 00:54:17 -0000 @@ -1,7 +1,9 @@ #use wml::debian::template title="How can you help Debian?" -<p>If you are considering helping in the development of Debian GNU/Linux -there are many areas in which both experienced and inexperienced users can assist:</p> +<h2>As a "Net-New" User</h2> + +<p>New users can start right away, even with out installing or intending +to use Debian. Though it's a good idea to at least try it once.</p> # TBD - Describe requirements per task? # such as: knowledge of english, experience in area X, etc.. @@ -14,13 +16,34 @@ the bugs associated with packages you use and provide further information, if you can reproduce the issues described in them.</li> -# TBD - link to users mailing lists -# Translators, link directly to the translated mailing lists and provide -# a link to the IRC channel in the user's language -<li>If you are an experienced user you can help other users through -the <a href="http://lists.debian.org/";>user mailing lists</a> or -by using the IRC channel <tt>#debian</tt>. For more information on support options -and available sources read the <a href="$(HOME)/support">support pages</a>.</li> +<li>Help Debian keep track of your favorite applications in the +<a href="$(HOME)/devel/wnpp/">Work-Needing and Prospective Packages</a> lists.</li> + +# TBD - favorite features +# Currently I'm unaware of a place to suggest "Better support for socks5" +# <!-- <li>Help Debian keep track of your favorite features in the... lists. +# <a href="$(HOME)/devel/wnpp/">Work-Needing and Prospective Packages</a> lists.</li> --> + +<li>You can help with the development of the <em>public</em> face of Debian and +contribute to the <a href="$(HOME)/devel/website/">website</a> or by +helping with the organisation of <a href="$(HOME)/events/">events</a> +worldwide.</li> + +<li>You can <a href="$(HOME)/donations">donate equipment and services</a> to the Debian project so that +either its users or developers can benefit from them. We are in constant search +for <a href="$(HOME)/mirror/">mirrors worldwide</a> our users can rely on and +<a href="$(HOME)/devel/buildd/">auto-builder systems</a> for our porters.</li> + +<li>Help Debian promoting itself by talking about it and demonstrating it to others.</li> + +</ol> + +<h2>Debian Labor</h2> + +<p>Debian is always looking for help and there are some areas where just being +a worm body ready to learn new things is the perfect starting place.</p> + +<ol> # TBD - link to translators mailing lists # Translators, link directly to your group's pages @@ -33,6 +56,25 @@ language. For more information read the <a href="$(HOME)/international/">Internationalisation pages</a>.</li> +<li>You can help writing copyright definitions for package maintainers in need. +Best place to find one is +<a href="http://mentors.debian.net/";>mentors.debian.net</a>.</li> + +</ol> + +<h2>Debian Development</h2> + +<p>If you are considering helping in the development of Debian GNU/Linux +there are many areas in which both experienced and inexperienced users can assist:</p> + +# TBD - link to users mailing lists +# Translators, link directly to the translated mailing lists and provide +# a link to the IRC channel in the user's language +<li>If you are an experienced user you can help other users through +the <a href="http://lists.debian.org/";>user mailing lists</a> or +by using the IRC channel <tt>#debian</tt>. For more information on support options +and available sources read the <a href="../support">support pages</a>.</li> + <li>You can help maintain applications that are already available in the Debian GNU/Linux operating system, specially those you use much and know about, by contributing fixes (patches) or additional information in the <a @@ -47,11 +89,6 @@ Project</a> or by contributing at the <a href="http://wiki.debian.org/";>Debian Wiki</a>.</li> -<li>You can help with the development of the <em>public</em> face of Debian and -contribute to the <a href="$(HOME)/devel/website/">website</a> or by -helping with the organisation of <a href="$(HOME)/events/">events</a> -worldwide.</li> - <li>You can help porting Debian to some architecture you are experienced with either by starting a new port or contributing to existing ports. For more information see the <a href="$(HOME)/ports/">list of available ports</a>.</li> @@ -60,13 +97,6 @@ valuable for Debian and become the maintainer for those packages. For more information read the <a href="$(HOME)/devel/">Debian Developer's Corner</a>.</li> -<li>You can <a href="$(HOME)/donations">donate equipment and services</a> to the Debian project so that -either its users or developers can benefit from them. We are in constant search -for <a href="$(HOME)/mirror/">mirrors worldwide</a> our users can rely on and -<a href="$(HOME)/devel/buildd/">auto-builder systems</a> for our porters.</li> - -<li>Help Debian promoting itself by talking about it and demonstrating it to others.</li> - </ol> <p>As you can see, there are many ways you can get involved with the project
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