(fwd) more Summer of Code details

[Martin Pool]

Hi all,

Ubuntu is once again participating in the Google Summer of Code [1] &
[2]. We would like to make as many projects as possible, available for
students to work on.

It is a great opportunity to expose new students to the wonderful world
of Ubuntu, get some exciting projects off the ground and get good
exposure for the projects, students and organisations alike.

The timeline is tight [5], and we need help to maximise the
effectiveness of this exercise. What can you do to help?

We need 
* Exciting project ideas - preferably with detailed specs. 
        Ideas can be related to the following broad topics:
         * a11y
         * bazaar
         * edubuntu
         * kubuntu
         * ubuntu 
If you have a project idea, and would like it to be considered, please
add a project headings with a brief description to our Ideas Page [6].
Selected projects will be tracked on Blueprint (previously known as the
Launchpad Spec-tracker). If you are ready to create a detailed spec
please add it to Blueprint [7]. We would encourage members of the
community who have been thinking of a cool new feature or plan to seize
the opportunity to get it into the idea pool, as it might just get
selected and implemented.

* Mentors - volunteers in the know who will answer any questions the
selected students have, and help them to settle into the community for
the duration of the SoC. You will also be responsible for providing
feedback to Google, the Student and Canonical on the project progress,
as well as evaluating the project at the end of the programme. For your
time and trouble you will receive a cool limited edition t-shirt!  If
you would like to volunteer to be a mentor, see the mentor page [8].

* Good capable eligible Students [9], to apply for the projects. If you
are a registered student and are over 18 years of age, you can apply for
one of the projects (applications open on the Summer of Code page on 1
May 2006). We would like to select students who are enthusiastic about
our projects and are able to commit the time and energy required to make
them successful. Please make your applications detailed and give us
enough information to be able to make an intelligent selection. Please
remember that being selected is a privilege and a great opportunity. The
more you commit, the greater your chance of a fantastic reward at the
end [10]. Additionally if it is really good your code might be included
in Ubuntu!

The full Summer of Code rules can be found in the student FAQ [11]

[1] http://code.google.com/soc/
[2] http://code.google.com/soc/ubuntu/about.html
[3] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Accessibility
[4] http://bazaar-vcs.org/
[5] http://code.google.com/soc/studentfaq.html#42
[6] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GoogleSoC2006
[7] https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+specs (for Ubuntu specs)
[8] http://code.google.com/soc/mentor_step1.html
[9] http://code.google.com/soc/studentfaq.html#8
[10] http://code.google.com/soc/studentfaq.html#34
[11] http://code.google.com/soc/studentfaq.html

Feel free to contact me if you require any further information.

regards,
-- 
JaneW