#1157 change the way Initial Hosting Requests are processed
Closed None Opened 10 years ago by besser82.

= phenomenon =
When a new person is interressted in getting involved within the community by creating packages, one usually needs hosting space with the capability of direct linking. In [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/PackageMaintainers/Join#Upload_Your_Package Join the package collection maintainers] there's mentioned a way how to request such hosting space.

The way these requests are processed is sub-optimal.

= reason =
The problems here are:
1. Those requests are processed by a single person. Everybody just has limit ressources (time). Sometimes it takes about one or two weeks until new requests are processed (nothing against you, tibbs, in person --> limited ressources).
2. The "fedorabugs" group is "abused". It was created for some different purpose, afaik.
3. Packager-sponsors are not able to give webspace to new people in needing it.
4. There's even no direct human contact involved during the whole process until the review-bug is filed. The "newbie" needs to find a way to get in touch with someone helping him / answering questions.

= recommendation =
1. Create an own group for this purpose, e.g. "srpm-hosting".
2. Give packager-sponsors the possibility to sponsor requestees to this new group.
3. Assign those "Initial Hosting Request"-tickets to packager-sponsors ml.
4. Add another step to [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/PackageMaintainers/Join Join the package collection maintainers wiki page] after "Create your Fedora Account" like: "Create your Initial Package Ticket" to make sure there is a "real human" contact with a packager-sponsor rather early in the whole process, being a guide until the review-bug is filed. Alter the "Upload Your Package" step.

= benefits =
1. Hosting requests can be processed quicker, because handling it up to a broader audiance. This gives the volunteers a sense of higher appreciation on his willingness to contribute.
2. We have direct contact with new sponsorees a lot earlier in the whole joining-process.
3. The newcomer has someone "on the hand" if he has questions or gets stuck.
4. Communication between volunteer and packager-sponsor can be handled through the trac-ticket or some other way they agree upon with oneanother.

= proposal for wiki page =
=== Create your Initial Package Ticket ===
You will need some hosting space to upload your SRPM and SPEC files created in further steps onto the Internet somewhere so that others can retrieve them. Please visit [http://fedorahosted.org/packager-sponsors the sponsors trac instance] and file a ticket in the "Initial package hosting request" component. After this there will be someone to get in touch with you giving you some storage at [http://fedorapeople.org http://fedorapeople.org] and helping you through the process to that point when your Review Request gets filed and answering your questions.

=== Upload Your Package ===
Upload your SRPM and SPEC files onto your storage at [http://fedorapeople.org http://fedorapeople.org], which was given to you earlier in the process, so that others can retrieve them.


I don't think everyone has had enough time to look at this, but if not, we can address it at the next meeting.

A few things to note:

There is not a packager-sponsors list, it's a alias for everyone in the group.

I don't know if sponsors would want to step up and start working with someone before they even knew what they were going to package/submit. It might be that they are doing java packages, but the sponsor who sees their request doesn't know java, etc.

I do like the idea of trying to open communication with the new packager early on so they don't get discouraged. This may require a re-work of how we do sponsoring though.

Replying to [comment:2 kevin]:

A few things to note:

There is not a packager-sponsors list, it's a alias for everyone in the group.

I know, but it's called something like that in [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Provenpackager_policy Provenpackager policy].

I don't know if sponsors would want to step up and start working with someone before they even knew what they were going to package/submit. It might be that they are doing java packages, but the sponsor who sees their request doesn't know java, etc.

Directly using your Java-example here, the sponsor in first-contact could point the newbie to the Java-SIG wiki-page...[[BR]]
It's not meant to start working with someone; it's more meant to be a guide, helping about where to look / to ask for informations and help.

I do like the idea of trying to open communication with the new packager early on so they don't get discouraged. This may require a re-work of how we do sponsoring though.

We didn't get to this this week... will discuss fully next.

This was forwarded to infrastructure, fedorabugs, and package-sponsors (fesco voted +5 to let them work out a solution). Over the course of the week, and spearheaded by nirik and besser82, I think a solution was worked out with the fedorabugs sponsors being expanded and being informed more readily of who would need sponsorship.

Login to comment on this ticket.

Metadata