Bug#202303: www.debian.org: /devel/join/newmaint should encourage to contribute before applying
On Tue, Sep 23, 2003 at 02:42:31PM +0200, Frank Lichtenheld wrote:
> --- newmaint.wml 18 Sep 2003 16:08:45 -0000 1.46
> +++ newmaint.wml 23 Sep 2003 12:40:19 -0000
> @@ -9,8 +9,24 @@
> can find all the details of applying, the process details, and how to track
> the progress of ongoing applications.</p>
>
> -<p>If you want to do something for Debian but without becoming a developer,
> -there are several other ways <a href="./">in which you can help</a>.
> +<p>Please note that it is not necessary to become a developer before
> +contributing to Debian. It is actually much more likely that you will be
> +accepted if you have contributed a significant amount of work
> +before.</p>
That sounds a bit crude to me. How about:
<p>Many people wish to contribute to Debian and first try to become official
developers, even though that's not necessary. In fact, we recommend that
people start contributing as soon as possible, and then later proceed to
make their developer status official.</p>
It leaves out the rationale but I don't think the original rationale sounds
too inciting, and with this verbiage it shouldn't be too necessary.
> +<p>If you want to maintain one or more packages for Debian, you should
> +try to find a <a href="#Sponsor">sponsor</a> for them. The <a
> +href="http://lists.debian.org/debian-mentors";>debian-mentors</a>
> +mailing list is a good starting point. You should
> +read the <a href="http://lists.debian.org/debian-mentors";>list
> +archives</a> and the list's <a
> +href="http://people.debian.org/~mpalmer/debian-mentors_FAQ.html";>FAQ</a>
> +to familiarize you with the sponsorship system.</p>
Don't wrap <a>, add the missing slash to the l.d.o URLs, extend the FAQ link
to the word "list's".
> +<p>But there is also a lot of <a href="./">other work (like
> +writing documentation, bug tracking, translating)</a> that has to
> +be done for Debian, and much of it does not require you to be already a
> +developer.</p>
Again, that sounds a bit ad hoc. How about:
<p>It's also possible to contribute to Debian in other ways, such as
<a href="./">donating resources, helping with bug reports, writing and/or
translating documentation and software, etc</a>. Some of these things can
help Debian even more than packaging, and they usually don't require going
through the complex process of becoming an official developer.</p>
That should put a much more positive spin on contributing without being
a developer, which is necessary because people are usually wary of that.
--
2. That which causes joy or happiness.
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