Applying to be DD part 2
To: debian-i18n
Cc: Jutta Wrage, Christian Perrier
Hi everyone
I'm trying to keep this in clear parts so it can be useful in our
archives, and be filtered out by those who don't have time for this.
Applying to be a Debian Developer:
1. You go to this page: https://nm.debian.org/newnm.php
2. Up front, you are told that "There is a large backlog of
applicants which means it may take some time to get you through the
system."
I estimate that we lose a significant number of potential DDs-voters
right here. They look at how much time they can afford for this task,
and still want to contribute their work. It just doesn't add up. I
have read several feedback comments from people who have found the NM
process way too demanding of their available time, even to the point
where they had to choose either to contribute or to continue the
application. So I will be monitoring the time effect of this
application. Lack of time is for translators (and I think for all
contributors) the biggest problem we face. If this process is indeed
unrealistic in its demands of contributor time, then it is losing
potentially good DD-voters. It needs to change.
3. The application:
A. "Have you read the Social Contract and DFSG and agree to abide by
them in your Debian-related work? (You can read them here.)"
"Here" is this link: http://www.debian.org/social_contract
and each of these points (A etc.) are checkboxes.
The Social Contract does apply to translators. I have read it before
and agree with it wholeheartedly.
The Free Software Guidelines have no application to translators,
since we already specify the Free Software Foundation as copyright
holder of our translations. I will agree in theory to this, since I
can't apply it, or already am applying it. I certainly agree with its
ideas.
B. "Do you yet have a GPG key signed by a current developer or some
other photo ID scanned in and signed with your GPG key? (Click here
for more information on this.)"
"Here" is http://www.debian.org/devel/join/nm-step2
I already use OpenPGP and have my own key. For anyone who doesn't yet
have a PGP key, please see <http://axion.physics.ubc.ca/pgp-
begin.html>. Very easy to use, once setup.
Oh, oh...
"Verification
Since anyone can upload a public key to the servers it needs to be
verified that the key belongs to the Applicant.
To accomplish this the public key itself must be signed by another
Debian member. Therefore the Applicant must meet this Debian member
in person and must identify himself (by providing a passport, a
driver's license or some other ID)."
I'm bedridden, too ill to travel for some years now. I live 250km NE
of Adelaide in South Australia.
This discriminates actively against very ill/disabled people. How on
earth am I supposed to do this? I don't even know any DDs in
Australia, much less anyone in my state, or anyone in my small
regional community, many km from anywhere else. Good grief! :(
Unless we can find a way to deal with this situation, that's the end
of my application right now. :(
Hmm, how about videoconf. of some kind? I have a webcam.
Jutta has offered to help me with my application, which is very kind
of her. Christian, if you have time, I would also appreciate your
advice on this situation.
Intermission. Stock up on drinks and chocolate, do your plastic-bag
rustling NOW.
from Clytie (vi-VN, Vietnamese free-software translation team / nhóm
Việt hóa phần mềm tự do)
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/vi-VN
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