Re: can a non developper become a debian maintainer ?
Russell Coker <russell@coker.com.au> writes:
> On Wed, 28 Aug 2002 01:50, Rémi Letot wrote:
>> I have a simple question : can a non developper type become a debian
>> maintainer ? The reason is that I use debian on multiple servers and
>> workstations, and I'd like to contribute to the project. I'm
>> definitely not a developper, more a sysadmin. I know debian quite
>> well. I can also compile, install, and manage non packaged software,
>> and occasionnaly find and correct some small or obvious bugs. But I
>> couldn't really develop anything big, or tackle real big bugs (but
>> then these are more upstream's task than debian's).
> There are many Debian packages that involve little or no serious
> programming, packages of scripts, packages of example files,
> packages of documentation.
As I wrote, if I want to keep my comitment to the task for a long time
(which is a requirement IMO), I need to have a real daily use for what
I'm packaging. This could not be the case for documentation and things
like that. Maybe when I have another task in debian I could handle
things like that (I like documenting), but I first need something to
keep me commited, ie a package that I actually use.
> If you can do some basic programming and the upstream author is very
> helpful then you'll be able to manage packages of serious programs
> too.
Looking at the rate of development, upstream seems really
reactive. I'll soon make contact with them, and see if they are
interrested in helping me should the need arise.
> With one exception, for every package I maintain I've had to do new upstream
> development, and debugging of serious bugs that the upstream maintainer
> didn't have the time or the ability to do. Being a good coder is a
> pre-requisite for maintaining all the packages I've ever maintained IMHO.
Yeah, but you seem to have a tendency to package what I call
infrastructure type software (lilo, kernel-patches, devfs,
selinux,...). Not that there is any problem with that, but these kind
of things are very sensitive, and I think you don't qualify for an
"average DD" (if there is such a thing)
Thanks for your input. I'll wait some more for other opinions, and
contact upstream to see if they'd like to have it included in debian,
then packjage it and apply to NM.
--
Rémi
Reply to: