On Fri, 11 Apr 2003, Daniel Pecos wrote: > I would like to become a debian developer, so I have read all > the recommended docs on debian web page, and created a > deb package for a program. Now I need an advocate in order to go > through new maintainer process as said in nm.debian.org. > So, please, if anyone woul like to help me to do it ... :-)
OK, once and for all, I'm going to put down my interpretation of the purpose of the advocate in the NM process. If anyone thinks differently, please speak up. The advocate is a Debian Developer (DD) who knows the work of the prospective maintainer, and is willing to state publically "I would be willing to have this person as a fellow Debian maintainer". Now, how does a DD get to know that they would like the NM in Debian? By working with him/her on something. Now, I'm not saying that shouldn't be simple sponsorship, but the concept of a "sponsor" is very different to that of an advocate in Debian (it is unfortunate that the two words have similar usage in colloquial english). Asking for an advocate in debian-mentors (which is meant to be a forum for inexperienced packagers to ask about best practice not codified in existing documentation) is useless, and only, really, shows that you do not, truly, understand Debian. And that is one of the things which an advocate should be able to certify - that the prospective maintainer fits well into Debian, and seems to know how to "fit in" with the existing structure. If that sounds a little "boys club"ish, well, that might not be too far off the mark. But being a DD isn't all money and babes, and the Project (as an entity) needs to know that those who are coming on board fit into it reasonably well. T&S was supposed to do that, but there isn't a lot of chance to see how someone performs over time. Advocacy is meant to provide that. So, having read all that (I presume) you're thinking, well then, how do I get an advocate? Short answer: not here. Find something other than simple packaging to do for the project. We've got no shortage of packagers - the quantity of useless crap in Debian shows that. A quick scan of the BTS will show that bug fixers are in short supply. Aiding a maintainer by hunting down and swatting existing bugs will (a) prove a demonstrable dedication and improvement to the project; and (b) get you known to at least one DD. To start, why not check out some of the really old bugs at AJT's bugs over two years old list, http://master.debian.org/~ajt/oldbugs.html. Finding some existing work to get involved with (such as debian-installer, a port to some odd hardware you have, or whatever) will also get you involved. In short, debian has plenty of packagers. Getting involved with the project is the only way to find an advocate properly. - Matt
