Hi Stefan, Thanks for your reply! I'll be certainly looking into the links you provided (and yes, they do look challenging!).
> You have not mentioned it at all although it might suit you very > well: http://www.coreboot.org/GSoC I think the Project_Ideas page provides interesting challanges, including a few which I think I might be capable to do. I unfortunately can't participate in the Google Summer of Code this year, while I expect to have little spare time after the summer vacation is over. On top of that, I don't think I really qualify yet: > Prior to project acceptance, you have demonstrated that you can work with the > coreboot codebase. But both issues are hopefully resolved in 2014. Thanks again! Martijn PS: I've discovered a few broken links throughout the Coreboot wiki. Maybe I can start participating by fixing them? :-) 2013/4/15 Stefan Tauner <stefan.tau...@student.tuwien.ac.at>: > Hello Martijn, > > On Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:23:54 +0200 > Martijn Bastiaan <martijn.basti...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> For a while now, I've been interested in the development of Coreboot. >> I really like the idea of an open-source firmware, which could >> possibly replace all the current propriertary ones. At the same time >> I'm looking for a project I can make a (ever so small) contribution >> to. I hope to do that this summer vacation, in order to expand my >> current skillset. > > You have not mentioned it at all although it might suit you very well: > http://www.coreboot.org/GSoC > >> That last sentence implies why I'm writing to this mailing list >> instead of starting right away: I feel like I (currently) lack the >> necessary skills to make a meaningful contribution, or to understand >> the codebase at all. I would however like to make an effort to change >> that situation, but I don't know where to start. Let me start by >> introducting myself so you can decide whether I'm even remotely suited >> :-). > > Anyone putting some effort into learning some basics can help in one > way or another. This is true for any (FOSS) project IMHO. The main > question is usually if the open tasks that are interesting to you can > be solved by you. > >> AmCAT allowed me to develop my Python skills to a point >> where I can call myself experienced. I have no significant experience >> writing in C, apart from the operating systems course[3] I took and >> passed last term. > > Understanding and writing C is naturally one of the most important > skills when working on the core parts of coreboot. But OTOH this means > that one is forced to learn that quickly when trying to solve related > problems. > >> I would love to hear your advice on the matter. What literature do you >> recommend? Or would I be better suited for another project maybe? > > I found my lack of x86 knowledge way more challenging than anything > else. The hardware in use today evolved over a very long period of time > and much of this history including numerous tiny, awkward details are > the reason for how things (have to) work in coreboot. > > Take a look at these links to understand what I mean with > "challenging" :) > http://www.coreboot.org/Datasheets#Intel > http://lennartb.home.xs4all.nl/coreboot/coreboot.html > > -- > Kind regards/Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Stefan Tauner -- coreboot mailing list: coreboot@coreboot.org http://www.coreboot.org/mailman/listinfo/coreboot