On Fri, Jun 20, 2025 at 03:59:38PM +0200, Alex wrote:
Debian Mentors as a sub project of Debian already exists. While generally used for those wishing review and also sponsorship of a package, we also have a mailing list for all those who need help with their existing or new contribution to Debian. We have been open for business for many many years. :-)I am subscribed to the debian-mentors list and see the tireless work you're doing for Debian day-in, day-out. Thank you for that, Phil! But as you say yourself, the traffic on that list is mostly from people who are familiar enough with Debian that they can package for Debian _already_ but aren't Debian Maintainers or Debian Developers with upload rights yet. I'd argue, that only a minority of the people who'd be willing to contribute to Debian, already come with the skills required to do so. I wouldn't blame those who don't have the necessary knowledge to package for Debian to conclude after browsing the archive of the debian-mentors list that this isn't the right place for them to ask questions or look for guidance. Therefore, I still think that pointing (complete) newcomers to the "structured" mentorship programs already available in Debian would be helpful to them and the Debian project.
While it's true that RFS replies provide a large part of the d-mentors@ traffic, d-mentors@ is the official place for people without experience to ask questions about contributing to Debian. OTOH if people are willing to create that "structured mentorship program for complete newcomers" you are talking about and be the mentors in it, that's up to them. We get a question of "this is #d-mentors, how do I get a mentor assigned" on #d-mentors every several months, for which the answer is always "there is no such thing, please ask specific questions".
-- WBR, wRAR
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