Re: [boost] [gsoc] Interest check for 3d geometry proposal

Subject: Re: [boost] [gsoc] Interest check for 3d geometry proposal
From: Thomas Klimpel (Thomas.Klimpel_at_[hidden])
Date: 2009-03-27 11:26:24

Simonson, Lucanus J wrote:
> While I see us focusing on the value of what might be produced
> in a GSOC project, I think this is the wrong perspective to take.

Really? Do you want to live in a socialistic country where people are so graceful (irony!) to give you some instructive work, because the value produced by your work is not important?

> There is a high probability that the only value produced is the
> student learns some things.

This probability exists indeed, but this is no excuse for not trying to produce value. It's not so easy to produce value, so we sometimes have to learn from our mistakes. So let's not deprive the students of that possibility by declaring that the value of their work is not important.

> Instead of asking what helps us we should ask what makes a good
> learning experience for the student.  If you want the project to
> turn into something real then you need to take responsibility for
> doing the work yourself after the students run out of time.

Why should I ask somebody to do something, if it's not sufficiently important to me? Perhaps I don't want to directly use the produced source-code verbatim, but I certainly want to benefit from the experiences of the project.

> That probably amounts to more work than just doing it yourself from
> the start.  Mentoring should be viewed as akin to charitable giving.
> Instead of asking what valuable code they can produce,
> let's ask what valuable experience we can give.

Mentoring has indeed something to do with "charitable giving", but the giving should also include that the project itself is well chosen to start with. If the project is not worth it, we should be honest enough to tell student, instead of secretly thinking that it is not really important.

Regards,
Thomas