[9fans] GSoC 2012

[Anthony Sorace]

Folks:
The fine folks over at Google's Open Source Programs
Office have announced the 2012 edition of Summer of
Code. I intend to submit an application for Plan 9 to again
participate. I'd like your help in making this year a success.

We had one major problem last year. Between Google's
decision to focus on bringing in a larger number of smaller
organizations and our own group's tendency to be pretty
hands-off on marketing, we got an abysmal showing in the
student application process. We got very few applications
(7, from memory), and only 3 of those (at best) were viable.
We were given two slots for student projects.

This is bad for a few reasons. Obviously it means we
don't get as many people exposed to our code and our
community, we don't get as much work done, and we don't
have the opportunity to create new contributors, which is
the fundamental point of GSoC. It also makes our numbers
pretty vulnerable when, as happened last year, one
student goes silent at midterms and never resurfaces.

This year, I'd like to make an explicit call for help from
our community in getting the word out. I know we have
several members who're attached to higher education
institutions; that's really the best route here. It's likely that
your school provides several ways of getting this program
in front of students; It'd be wonderful if you could look into
those. I've spoken to a few of you individually, but I'm sure
there are several more I'm not aware of.

If you'd like help in terms of written text, presentation
outlines, whatever, just let me know. There's a good
collection of such things that folks have done for GSoC in
the past, and I'm happy to point you at relevant ones of
those or help you create more specific things. Just let me
know what you need. A good place to start is the FAQ[0].

In the mean time, I'll be going through the wiki and
giving it a good scrubbing, moving the 2011 pages out of
the way and preparing for 2012. I'd encourage anyone
who's got some free time to take a look at that, as well.
And, of course, we'll need projects! Think about what
would make a good summer-sized project for a student.
And if you're at all interested in Plan 9's participation in
GSoC, I'd suggest joining the Google group for the
topic[1], where most of the discussion in the summer
goes on.

Aside from that one major issue, last year went well. I
was able to get good feedback from a few people during
the application process, mentors signed up without
hassle, reviews of student applications were done well
and promptly. I'd like to thank everyone who's participated
so far, and I hope you'll sign up again once that's open.

Anthony

[0] http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2012/faqs
[1] http://groups.google.com/group/plan9-gsoc

[Devon H. O'Dell]

Op 24 februari 2012 11:19 heeft Calvin Morrison

       The fine folks over at Google's Open Source Programs
Office have announced the 2012 edition of Summer of
Code. I intend to submit an application for Plan 9 to again
participate. I'd like your help in making this year a success.
       We had one major problem last year. Between Google's
decision to focus on bringing in a larger number of smaller
organizations and our own group's tendency to be pretty
hands-off on marketing, we got an abysmal showing in the
student application process. We got very few applications
(7, from memory), and only 3 of those (at best) were viable.
We were given two slots for student projects.
       This is bad for a few reasons. Obviously it means we
don't get as many people exposed to our code and our
community, we don't get as much work done, and we don't
have the opportunity to create new contributors, which is
the fundamental point of GSoC. It also makes our numbers
pretty vulnerable when, as happened last year, one
student goes silent at midterms and never resurfaces.
       This year, I'd like to make an explicit call for help from
our community in getting the word out. I know we have
several members who're attached to higher education
institutions; that's really the best route here. It's likely that
your school provides several ways of getting this program
in front of students; It'd be wonderful if you could look into
those. I've spoken to a few of you individually, but I'm sure
there are several more I'm not aware of.
       If you'd like help in terms of written text, presentation
outlines, whatever, just let me know. There's a good
collection of such things that folks have done for GSoC in
the past, and I'm happy to point you at relevant ones of
those or help you create more specific things. Just let me
know what you need. A good place to start is the FAQ[0].
       In the mean time, I'll be going through the wiki and
giving it a good scrubbing, moving the 2011 pages out of
the way and preparing for 2012. I'd encourage anyone
who's got some free time to take a look at that, as well.
And, of course, we'll need projects! Think about what
would make a good summer-sized project for a student.
And if you're at all interested in Plan 9's participation in
GSoC, I'd suggest joining the Google group for the
topic[1], where most of the discussion in the summer
goes on.
       Aside from that one major issue, last year went well. I
was able to get good feedback from a few people during
the application process, mentors signed up without
hassle, reviews of student applications were done well
and promptly. I'd like to thank everyone who's participated
so far, and I hope you'll sign up again once that's open.
Anthony
[0]
http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2012/faqs
[1]     http://groups.google.com/group/plan9-gsoc

How can I apply for GSoC as a student? is it to late?

This year's program has not yet started; application submissions will
begin soon for organizations. After that, it will be a bit before
student applications begin being accepted. So it's definitely not too
late. Just check out the timeline at
http://www.google-melange.com/gsoc/events/google/gsoc2012. Hopefully
we are accepted again this year, and you can apply.

--dho

Calvin Morrison

[Calvin Morrison]

Post by Devon H. O'Dell
Op 24 februari 2012 11:19 heeft Calvin Morrison

Post by Anthony Sorace
The fine folks over at Google's Open Source Programs
Office have announced the 2012 edition of Summer of
Code. I intend to submit an application for Plan 9 to again
participate. I'd like your help in making this year a success.
We had one major problem last year. Between Google's
decision to focus on bringing in a larger number of smaller
organizations and our own group's tendency to be pretty
hands-off on marketing, we got an abysmal showing in the
student application process. We got very few applications
(7, from memory), and only 3 of those (at best) were viable.
We were given two slots for student projects.
This is bad for a few reasons. Obviously it means we
don't get as many people exposed to our code and our
community, we don't get as much work done, and we don't
have the opportunity to create new contributors, which is
the fundamental point of GSoC. It also makes our numbers
pretty vulnerable when, as happened last year, one
student goes silent at midterms and never resurfaces.
This year, I'd like to make an explicit call for help from
our community in getting the word out. I know we have
several members who're attached to higher education
institutions; that's really the best route here. It's likely that
your school provides several ways of getting this program
in front of students; It'd be wonderful if you could look into
those. I've spoken to a few of you individually, but I'm sure
there are several more I'm not aware of.
If you'd like help in terms of written text, presentation
outlines, whatever, just let me know. There's a good
collection of such things that folks have done for GSoC in
the past, and I'm happy to point you at relevant ones of
those or help you create more specific things. Just let me
know what you need. A good place to start is the FAQ[0].
In the mean time, I'll be going through the wiki and
giving it a good scrubbing, moving the 2011 pages out of
the way and preparing for 2012. I'd encourage anyone
who's got some free time to take a look at that, as well.
And, of course, we'll need projects! Think about what
would make a good summer-sized project for a student.
And if you're at all interested in Plan 9's participation in
GSoC, I'd suggest joining the Google group for the
topic[1], where most of the discussion in the summer
goes on.
Aside from that one major issue, last year went well. I
was able to get good feedback from a few people during
the application process, mentors signed up without
hassle, reviews of student applications were done well
and promptly. I'd like to thank everyone who's participated
so far, and I hope you'll sign up again once that's open.
Anthony
[0]

http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2012/faqs

Post by Anthony Sorace
[1] http://groups.google.com/group/plan9-gsoc

How can I apply for GSoC as a student? is it to late?

This year's program has not yet started; application submissions will
begin soon for organizations. After that, it will be a bit before
student applications begin being accepted. So it's definitely not too
late. Just check out the timeline at
http://www.google-melange.com/gsoc/events/google/gsoc2012. Hopefully
we are accepted again this year, and you can apply.
--dho

Calvin Morrison

After reading the F.A.Q it is apparent that I do not fit the eligibility
requirements this year. I am interested in working on a project in the
future however.

Thank you,

Calvin Morriso

[JIghtuse]

Post by Calvin Morrison

Post by Devon H. O'Dell
Op 24 februari 2012 11:19 heeft Calvin Morrison

Post by Anthony Sorace
The fine folks over at Google's Open Source Programs
Office have announced the 2012 edition of Summer of
Code. I intend to submit an application for Plan 9 to again
participate. I'd like your help in making this year a success.
We had one major problem last year. Between Google's
decision to focus on bringing in a larger number of smaller
organizations and our own group's tendency to be pretty
hands-off on marketing, we got an abysmal showing in the
student application process. We got very few applications
(7, from memory), and only 3 of those (at best) were viable.
We were given two slots for student projects.
This is bad for a few reasons. Obviously it means we
don't get as many people exposed to our code and our
community, we don't get as much work done, and we don't
have the opportunity to create new contributors, which is
the fundamental point of GSoC. It also makes our numbers
pretty vulnerable when, as happened last year, one
student goes silent at midterms and never resurfaces.
This year, I'd like to make an explicit call for help from
our community in getting the word out. I know we have
several members who're attached to higher education
institutions; that's really the best route here. It's likely that
your school provides several ways of getting this program
in front of students; It'd be wonderful if you could look into
those. I've spoken to a few of you individually, but I'm sure
there are several more I'm not aware of.
If you'd like help in terms of written text, presentation
outlines, whatever, just let me know. There's a good
collection of such things that folks have done for GSoC in
the past, and I'm happy to point you at relevant ones of
those or help you create more specific things. Just let me
know what you need. A good place to start is the FAQ[0].
In the mean time, I'll be going through the wiki and
giving it a good scrubbing, moving the 2011 pages out of
the way and preparing for 2012. I'd encourage anyone
who's got some free time to take a look at that, as well.
And, of course, we'll need projects! Think about what
would make a good summer-sized project for a student.
And if you're at all interested in Plan 9's participation in
GSoC, I'd suggest joining the Google group for the
topic[1], where most of the discussion in the summer
goes on.
Aside from that one major issue, last year went well. I
was able to get good feedback from a few people during
the application process, mentors signed up without
hassle, reviews of student applications were done well
and promptly. I'd like to thank everyone who's participated
so far, and I hope you'll sign up again once that's open.
Anthony
[0]

http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2012/faqs

Post by Anthony Sorace
[1] http://groups.google.com/group/plan9-gsoc

How can I apply for GSoC as a student? is it to late?

This year's program has not yet started; application submissions will
begin soon for organizations. After that, it will be a bit before
student applications begin being accepted. So it's definitely not too
late. Just check out the timeline at
http://www.google-melange.com/gsoc/events/google/gsoc2012. Hopefully
we are accepted again this year, and you can apply.
--dho

Calvin Morrison

After reading the F.A.Q it is apparent that I do not fit the eligibility
requirements this year. I am interested in working on a project in the
future however.
Thank you,
Calvin Morriso

Hello, plan9 team! Do you plan to post some of these simple gsoc2011 tasks
on 2012? I'm very interesting to join your project as part of gsoc2012 and
further.

[Anthony Sorace]

Do you plan to post some of these simple gsoc2011 tasks on 2012?

Yes. I expect to get a short, first draft list of proposed ideas for 2012 projects
up some time today (likely late evening my time). I'd expect several from the
2011[1] list will show up again.

I'm very interesting to join your project as part of gsoc2012 and further.

That's good to hear! To start off with, I'd suggest joining the Plan 9 Google
Summer of Code group[2]. Once we're fully underway, most discussion of
GSoC-specific issues takes place there.

Anthony

[1] http://www.plan9.bell-labs.com/wiki/plan9/gsoc-2011-ideas/index.html
[2] http://groups.google.com/group/plan9-gsoc

[t***@polynum.com]

May I suggest to add an "easy" project to the list: review Plan9
installation.

The "howto install without" (explaining how to create a Plan9 realm
from another OS if the CD can not be used) that I posted a while
ago did not attract a lot of attention. But dealing with the install,
I saw many details that prevent a more versatile installation.

And fdisk(8) has still to be fixed (on the stack but too many things
going on with KerGIS or kerTeX for me).

From what I have seen, it is a light project.

[John Floren]

Post by t***@polynum.com
May I suggest to add an "easy" project to the list: review Plan9
installation.
The "howto install without" (explaining how to create a Plan9 realm
from another OS if the CD can not be used) that I posted a while
ago did not attract a lot of attention. But dealing with the install,
I saw many details that prevent a more versatile installation.
And fdisk(8) has still to be fixed (on the stack but too many things
going on with KerGIS or kerTeX for me).
From what I have seen, it is a light project.

I agree that the install situation could use some work--it can be a
little bit odd if you aren't installing from a CD like a good boy, or
if you try to build an ISO from somewhere that *isn't* Bell Labs. It's
actually pretty straightforward to modify, though; it didn't take me
very long to get an iso building and figure out how the installer
works.

I've already done some tweaking with this in Nix, moving the inst/
programs to /rc/bin/inst, which makes it possible to easily start an
installation when booted from the CD with option 2, "boot plan 9 from
this cd", eliminating the need for the 9pcflop kernel and its limited
root environment.

I'd worry that doing an overhaul of the installation process is more
of a 1-2 week project, although it would be useful and a very nice
simple task.

John

[Charles Forsyth]

At least in the past, I'm sure I followed a discussion that the summer of
code was intended (ie, required) to produce code,
not documentation or packaging, although that might have changed.

Post by t***@polynum.com
May I suggest to add an "easy" project to the list: review Plan9
installation.

[Anthony Sorace]

Post by Charles Forsyth
At least in the past, I'm sure I followed a discussion that the summer of
code was intended (ie, required) to produce code, not documentation
or packaging, although that might have changed.

This is true. All projects in GSoC are required to be (at least principally)
about producing code. No prohibition on including work on relevant
documentation, of course, but code must be the focus.

Which isn't to say that installation is out of scope. I could imagine a
proposal looking at creating installation CDs from trees or installing
under different circumstances being code-focused.

Anthony

[Devon H. O'Dell]

Sending from phone, please pardon errors.

There are projects that use gsoc for docs and the like. I would see nothing
wrong with someone contributing code to the installer -- especially someone
with less familiarity with p9 than most 9fans -- they will likely taake
longer than 1-2 weeks. Additionally it might be a good opportunity to get
someone interested who doesn't have C skills, which is something we have
been historically awful at in GSoC.

--dho

Post by Anthony Sorace

Post by Charles Forsyth
At least in the past, I'm sure I followed a discussion that the summer of
code was intended (ie, required) to produce code, not documentation
or packaging, although that might have changed.

This is true. All projects in GSoC are required to be (at least principally)
about producing code. No prohibition on including work on relevant
documentation, of course, but code must be the focus.
Which isn't to say that installation is out of scope. I could imagine a
proposal looking at creating installation CDs from trees or installing
under different circumstances being code-focused.
Anthony

[Jeremy Jackins]

Post by Anthony Sorace
Which isn't to say that installation is out of scope. I could imagine a
proposal looking at creating installation CDs from trees or installing
under different circumstances being code-focused.
Anthony

+1. As a Plan 9 newbie, I certainly had issues with the installer. It
prevented me from using the system at all, until I came back about a
year later with more determination. In particular, the install CD did
not like my CD-ROM drive (or how it was configured in BIOS, or
something) or my USB mouse. All the talk of floppy disks in the
installation guide was scary and off-putting, and so was the lack of
any obvious way to install via USB drive.

[erik quanstrom]

Post by Jeremy Jackins

Post by Anthony Sorace
Which isn't to say that installation is out of scope. I could imagine a
proposal looking at creating installation CDs from trees or installing
under different circumstances being code-focused.
Anthony

+1. As a Plan 9 newbie, I certainly had issues with the installer. It
prevented me from using the system at all, until I came back about a
year later with more determination. In particular, the install CD did
not like my CD-ROM drive (or how it was configured in BIOS, or
something) or my USB mouse. All the talk of floppy disks in the
installation guide was scary and off-putting, and so was the lack of
any obvious way to install via USB drive.

as someone who has worked hard to fix these things, it's frustrating
that the distribution didn't pick these things up. :-(.

- erik

[Jeremy Jackins]

Post by erik quanstrom
as someone who has worked hard to fix these things, it's frustrating
that the distribution didn't pick these things up.  :-(.
- erik

These changes are in 9atom then, right? The plan9 ecosystem is still
rather confusing to me. Do the majority of users on this list use the
standard distribution? 9atom? 9front? Maybe Inferno? Or are people
divided?

[andrew zerger]

Atom doesn't run well on Qemu, I'm not at all clued into on why, but the
point is, residual attention on the net mostly comes from people with no
large commitment in the process? I am probably the least paid guy talking
(no complaints,) yet there is no way I could go buy an atom processor
system and devote enough of my time to it in order to feel compelled to
produce viable propaganda in support of one base or another. I am a little
tempted to actually spend four hundred and build a little 9atom cluster,
but time will tell. SSH2 in any form helps a ton.

Post by Jeremy Jackins

Post by erik quanstrom
as someone who has worked hard to fix these things, it's frustrating
that the distribution didn't pick these things up. :-(.
- erik

These changes are in 9atom then, right? The plan9 ecosystem is still
rather confusing to me. Do the majority of users on this list use the
standard distribution? 9atom? 9front? Maybe Inferno? Or are people
divided?

[Stanley Lieber]

Post by andrew zerger
SSH2 in any form helps a ton.

Taruti wrote a simple ssh2 client in go called scpu[1][2] that I've
been using since last summer. It builds on Plan 9 with gmake and her
(now outdated) port of go[2]. The command line options mirror those of
cpu(1), and it works well with factotum(4).

There is also a port of an older version of OpenSSH in fgb's contrib.
I've been using this for quite a while as well.

Neither of these fulfill the requirement for a native Plan 9 program,
but both have proven useful.

-sl

[1] https://bitbucket.org/taruti/scpu/
[2] http://plan9.stanleylieber.com/pkg/386/scpu-2012.03.15.tbz
[3] http://plan9.stanleylieber.com/pkg/386/go-2011.05.10.tbz

[erik quanstrom]

Post by andrew zerger
Atom doesn't run well on Qemu, I'm not at all clued into on why, but the
point is, residual attention on the net mostly comes from people with no
large commitment in the process? I am probably the least paid guy talking
(no complaints,) yet there is no way I could go buy an atom processor
system and devote enough of my time to it in order to feel compelled to
produce viable propaganda in support of one base or another. I am a little
tempted to actually spend four hundred and build a little 9atom cluster,
but time will tell. SSH2 in any form helps a ton.

my point wasn't about 9atom. my point was only that i'm sorry
that more folks can't enjoy plan 9 due to silly technical problems.

however, since you brought it up, it should run on nearly any intel/amd
system built within the last 15 years. i know it runs as a server in xen.
(that is, no vga.) here are a couple of systems that i currently use

http://www.quanstro.net/plan9/9atom/index.html

it also runs on dell and hp blade servers with intel mezzanine cards or
lan-on-motherboard, not that that matters. you should be able to
build/buy/craigslist a machine for $50 or less.

- erik

[Calvin Morrison]

Post by Anthony Sorace
The fine folks over at Google's Open Source Programs
Office have announced the 2012 edition of Summer of
Code. I intend to submit an application for Plan 9 to again
participate. I'd like your help in making this year a success.
We had one major problem last year. Between Google's
decision to focus on bringing in a larger number of smaller
organizations and our own group's tendency to be pretty
hands-off on marketing, we got an abysmal showing in the
student application process. We got very few applications
(7, from memory), and only 3 of those (at best) were viable.
We were given two slots for student projects.
This is bad for a few reasons. Obviously it means we
don't get as many people exposed to our code and our
community, we don't get as much work done, and we don't
have the opportunity to create new contributors, which is
the fundamental point of GSoC. It also makes our numbers
pretty vulnerable when, as happened last year, one
student goes silent at midterms and never resurfaces.
This year, I'd like to make an explicit call for help from
our community in getting the word out. I know we have
several members who're attached to higher education
institutions; that's really the best route here. It's likely that
your school provides several ways of getting this program
in front of students; It'd be wonderful if you could look into
those. I've spoken to a few of you individually, but I'm sure
there are several more I'm not aware of.
If you'd like help in terms of written text, presentation
outlines, whatever, just let me know. There's a good
collection of such things that folks have done for GSoC in
the past, and I'm happy to point you at relevant ones of
those or help you create more specific things. Just let me
know what you need. A good place to start is the FAQ[0].
In the mean time, I'll be going through the wiki and
giving it a good scrubbing, moving the 2011 pages out of
the way and preparing for 2012. I'd encourage anyone
who's got some free time to take a look at that, as well.
And, of course, we'll need projects! Think about what
would make a good summer-sized project for a student.
And if you're at all interested in Plan 9's participation in
GSoC, I'd suggest joining the Google group for the
topic[1], where most of the discussion in the summer
goes on.
Aside from that one major issue, last year went well. I
was able to get good feedback from a few people during
the application process, mentors signed up without
hassle, reviews of student applications were done well
and promptly. I'd like to thank everyone who's participated
so far, and I hope you'll sign up again once that's open.
Anthony
[0]
http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2012/faqs
[1] http://groups.google.com/group/plan9-gsoc

How can I apply for GSoC as a student? is it to late?

Calvin Morrison

[Anthony Sorace]

How can I apply for GSoC as a student? is it to late?

It's not too late - it's too early! Mentor organization applications
haven't even opened yet. Please review the timeline in point
2 in the FAQ[0].

Anthony

[0] http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2012/faqs