Re: [boost] [gsoc]

Subject: Re: [boost] [gsoc]
From: Paul A. Bristow (pbristow_at_[hidden])
Date: 2012-03-24 13:22:23

> -----Original Message-----
> From: boost-bounces_at_[hidden] [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]] On Behalf Of Andrew
> Sutton
> Sent: Friday, March 23, 2012 6:39 PM
> To: boost_at_[hidden]
> Subject: Re: [boost] [gsoc]
> 
> > Whoa, that is very strange.  Do you have any insight into or even
> > guesses at the reasons?
> 
> So... there were really 2 reason why Boost wasn't accepted as a mentoring org this year.
> 
> First, GSoC was trying to bring in more new orgs, so there was more competition. So, if you didn't
have a
> stellar set up, you weren't as likely to be accepted.
> 
> Second, our proposed projects list was disappointing. There were really only two specific project
ideas:
> one for Process and one for Polygon. Obviously, that's not making the cut. I think if Boost
community
> wants to continue participating in GSoC, then we have to be more pro-active about documenting
project
> ideas.
> 
> If I had to judge, based on the amount of feedback I got this year after soliciting proposals, I'd
have to say
> that the community isn't very interested in participating.

Well I think we should be.  There have been some interesting projects done by GSoC programmers.
It's a resource that we should be using.

I think one area where we are failing is to get them really finished - and reviewed.  This is partly
because it is difficult (nay impossible) to stop people biting off more than they can chew in the
really very limited time available.  It might be better to use GSoC to finished existing projects,
especially those that have been reviewed and accepted but need final polishing, testing and
documenting? (The latter might well be done by someone who didn't write the original stuff - and
thus 'knows too much').  This obviously needs the active support of the original author, but if he
doesn't have time, then this should be welcome.

We also failed to get thinking seriously about projects soon enough.  We need to start planning
*now* for next year.

My tuppence-worth.

Paul

---
Paul A. Bristow,
Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal LA8 8AB  UK
[phone]  07714330204
pbristow_at_[hidden]