[Mageia-dev] proposal regarding (packager) mentoring program coordinator

Wed Jun 29 23:27:08 CEST 2011

proposal regarding mentoring program coordinator
+
+In various parts of the proposal I assume that users with a Mageia account can 
+receive email redirected to them from pseudo at mageia.org, to the address they 
+give on the Mageia account.  (pseudo being their mageia account name.)
+(Stormi : it should work for all packagers, but not for new users I think)
+(Which explains why it doesn't work for my account, as I'm not yet officially a 
+packager.) (but it would be good to activate that for everyone.)
+
+That way, just knowing their pseudo will be enough to know a contact email 
+address.  This also means one less field to enter in the various tables used for 
+packagers and others on Mageia.
+
+1) Reorganize the packages_mentoring wiki page as the central point for coordination
+1a) regroup 1st 3 sections into intro
+     elaborate current content somewhat (max 1-2 paragraphes)
+
+1b) add section 2 : "so you want to be a Mageia packager"
+     brief intro, with examples of useful experiences
+     importance of Mageia account, mailing list subscriptions, forums
+     documentation to read (packaging, etc)
+     how to contact a potential mentor
+     (asking on irc, leaving name below, asking on mailing list)
+     table of those wanting a mentor (with lines)
+     - includes fields for pseudo/name, time zone, interests/skills/comments
+         (including language(s) if not English)
+     - date of registration (to see how long waiting)
+     - could add mentor assigned, date training started (Ubuntu has this)
+
+1c) elaborate "mentoring team" section (which becomes 3rd section)
+     starts with "registored mentors" subsection
+     make into table (with lines)
+     currently name (pseudo) ; email ; what can do (how many, focus)
+
+     add fields for :
+     -time zone
+     -langages spoken (useful for apprentices a little challenged in English)
+     -focus/interest (in place of "what can do")
+     -can take more apprentices (yes/no/maybe)
+     -preferred means of contact with apprentices (initial ; during mentoring)
+     (email, IRC, leave name in list, via coordinator ; email, IRC)
+     (could be included with focus/interest = focus/interests/comments)
+
+     if pseudo at mageia.org is automatically redirected, could drop email field
+
+1d) mentoring team / mentoring in progress subsection
+     make into table (with lines)
+     keep current organisation :
+         - subsection by mentor id
+           - one line per apprentice = pseudo + free-form comments.
+
+1e) The mentoring coordinator team is responsible for maintaining all sections 
+of this page.
+If they wish :
+- Would-be apprentices can add their own name to apprentice table
+- mentors can continue to update their mentor tables.
+
+In maintaining the page, the team should have regular contact with mentors on 
+availability to take new apprentices and the status of current apprentices.
+
+2) Mentoring coordinating team
+An informal group which works with the coordinator, to accomplish required tasks.
+For the moment we have myself (andre999), Daniel Kreuter and magnus.
+
+
+3) The mentoring coordinator team will monitoring IRC, mailing lists and forums, 
+for those interested in becoming a packager.
+Those considering becoming packagers will often be hesitant, and we need to 
+encourage them.  So let's try to maintain contact with those who show an interest.
+(It looks like we are already off to a good start.)
+
+We would like to have an email address for the team, which would direct messages 
+to all team members.
+It could be mentoring at mageia.org or similar (suggested by Daniel).
+Maybe a restricted mailing list ?
+That way anyone with an interest, so finding someone with an interest, will have 
+a way of letting everyone in the team know at once.
+
+When the wiki mentoring page is updated, we can direct them there.  (It will 
+have links to all the documentation.)
+If they already have a Mageia account (which is their pseudo), we could also 
+inscribe them in the (yet to be created) table for potential packagers on the 
+mentoring page.
+
+The mentoring team will monitor IRC.  Others noting interest could refer them to 
+the packages_mentoring page or to the mentoring team.  If not interested in 
+mentoring them, that is.
+
+The team will also monitor the mailing lists and forums, for anyone showing an 
+interest in contributing.
+Includes those in other languages.
+I intend to monitor MLO (in French), for example.
+It is useful look at external forums that talk about Mageia.  (We frequently 
+find references in the lists.)  Our positive responses can draw new users and 
+contributors.  Some of which will eventually become packagers.
+We have already been doing some of that.
+
+Note that if someone shows an interest in getting involved with Mageia, we don't 
+have to focus only on packaging.  We need all sorts of contributions, and it 
+would be useful to packagers to have other experiences, such as bug triaging and 
+QA.  So far, it seems everyone it the team is taking such an approach.
+
+4) Miscelaneous suggestions
+- Currently apprentices are promoted to full packagers by their mentor, once the 
+mentor is satisfied with the competence of the apprentice.
+It has been suggested that apprentices become full packagers by vote.
+Since this is a skill position, this would be presumably be a vote by mentors or 
+packagers.  Something to consider.
+
+- standard email with important info and links to send to potential apprentices. 
+  (This info is to be put in the potential packager section of the wiki page, so 
+maybe we just send a link to that page.)
+
+- Make list of new package requests, which are simple enough for apprentices to 
+train with.
+
+- Gather feedback on mentoring process, from mentors and apprentices
+
+- Encourage new full packagers to in turn become mentors, using their experience 
+in the mentoring process.
+
+
+Note that many of these ideas come from Daniel, magnus, Stormi and many others. 
+  Any suggestions are welcome.
+----
+
+We will start implementing the wiki page changes right away, but any input is 
+still very welcome.
+
+-- 
+André
+