Re: Asking for an advocate (gURLChecker) ...
On Fri, 11 Apr 2003, Daniel Pecos wrote:
> I would like to become a debian developer, so I have read all
> the recommended docs on debian web page, and created a
> deb package for a program. Now I need an advocate in order to go
> through new maintainer process as said in nm.debian.org.
> So, please, if anyone woul like to help me to do it ... :-)
OK, once and for all, I'm going to put down my interpretation of the purpose
of the advocate in the NM process. If anyone thinks differently, please
speak up.
The advocate is a Debian Developer (DD) who knows the work of the
prospective maintainer, and is willing to state publically "I would be
willing to have this person as a fellow Debian maintainer".
Now, how does a DD get to know that they would like the NM in Debian? By
working with him/her on something. Now, I'm not saying that shouldn't be
simple sponsorship, but the concept of a "sponsor" is very different to that
of an advocate in Debian (it is unfortunate that the two words have similar
usage in colloquial english).
Asking for an advocate in debian-mentors (which is meant to be a forum for
inexperienced packagers to ask about best practice not codified in existing
documentation) is useless, and only, really, shows that you do not, truly,
understand Debian. And that is one of the things which an advocate should
be able to certify - that the prospective maintainer fits well into Debian,
and seems to know how to "fit in" with the existing structure.
If that sounds a little "boys club"ish, well, that might not be too far off
the mark. But being a DD isn't all money and babes, and the Project (as an
entity) needs to know that those who are coming on board fit into it
reasonably well. T&S was supposed to do that, but there isn't a lot of
chance to see how someone performs over time. Advocacy is meant to provide
that.
So, having read all that (I presume) you're thinking, well then, how do I
get an advocate? Short answer: not here. Find something other than simple
packaging to do for the project. We've got no shortage of packagers - the
quantity of useless crap in Debian shows that. A quick scan of the BTS will
show that bug fixers are in short supply. Aiding a maintainer by hunting
down and swatting existing bugs will (a) prove a demonstrable dedication and
improvement to the project; and (b) get you known to at least one DD. To
start, why not check out some of the really old bugs at AJT's bugs over two
years old list, http://master.debian.org/~ajt/oldbugs.html. Finding some
existing work to get involved with (such as debian-installer, a port to some
odd hardware you have, or whatever) will also get you involved.
In short, debian has plenty of packagers. Getting involved with the project
is the only way to find an advocate properly.
- Matt
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