Is BugControl dense?

[Robert Lummis]

I'm not sure whom these comments should be directed to, but I would
like to reinforce some of Stefan's comments (at least as I interpret
them). I also have many years IT experience including managing a
Solaris-centric computing center and managing user support services in
a UNIX environment. I joined bugsquad a few months ago thinking I
could help and could learn about Linux in the process, but so far I've
been unable to contribute one bit of help in spite of my willingness,
and in spite of spending many hours reading how-tos and explanations
and introductions, and searching through web page after web page. I
keep going around in web page circles without ever getting to a place
that actually lets me report a bug or work on a bug report from
someone else. I tried to use the tools to report a bug I encountered
but the tools didn't work (at least for my particular bug). Then I
tried to report a bug in the tools but couldn't find how to do that.
I've given up more than once then tried again but to no avail, at
least so far.

There must be a better way to organize the bug-reporting and triaging
functions. I don't think better explanations will do it. I see that a
lot of effort has already gone into explaining the process. But
unfortunately the explanations don't do the job. If "outsiders" are
going to be able to help, the process needs to be revamped somehow so
the overall model of what's going on can be grasped. I know that's
hard so I'm not feeling very critical of those of you who have brought
it this far. I'm very grateful for your efforts and I admire your
ability to get Ubuntu as good as it is. But I wanted to let you know
that coming into the process as an outsider, willing to help and
having a significant technical background, I've gotten lost in the
maze.

Maybe I need a better understanding of Linux internals to be helpful.
That would be understandable and not surprising. But if that is the
case please say so up front and don't pretend that willingness to help
is the main prerequisite.

On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 3:58 PM, C de-Avillez <hggdh2 at ubuntu.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 2010-05-17 at 21:03 +0200, Stefan Ivarsson wrote:
>> Hi
>
> Hi Stefan
>
>> I have followed this list (ubuntu-bugscontrol) for about 3 months.
>> This is my first insight into what is actually happening in this
>> sub-culture.
>
> I am unsure on how to respond here. I am tending to look at it as a
> failure on our part -- it should have been easier for you to understand
> what happens. For that, I am sorry. Could you please tell us what you
> are missing/missed? How can we improve? Where did we fail?
>
>> I have been working with IT/IS related questions for close to 15 years
>> and have tried Linux for the last two. I thought that I was ready to
>> start helping but after having read this I realize my skills are far
>> below what is expected of the community.
>
> I humbly beg to differ. If you have 15 years of IT/IS-related questions
> and work, you most certainly have a wealth of experience that would help
> us all. Now, Ubuntu is comprised of thousands of packages, and many
> different expertise areas. I would not expect *anyone* to be an expert
> on all packages and areas. For example, you may not be a programmer --
> so you cannot (at least until you start programming) work on extremely
> dense programming issues. But certainly there are at least one, probably
> many, other area(s) you know, and can help. And, for that, we will be
> extremely thankful, and we will appreciate your help.
>
> None of us started on Ubuntu already knowing what to do. *ALL* of us are
> still learning.
>
> There is another important point here: the Ubuntu community is made of
> people from all backgrounds, and with different skill sets. We
> *complement* each other -- the sum is greater than the parts.
>
>> I have read the triage guide. I have a launchpad ID. I have subscribed
>> to the list .I have read, understood and signed the Ubuntu CoC.
>> Unfortunately, I do not see how I can help and if anyone would
>> appreciate it.
>
> I am sorry if I sounded like I do not appreciate -- in this case --
> Jeremy's work. I *do*. We -- the community -- do.
>
> Jeremy -- I apologise if I sounded this way. Please rest assured this is
> not the case.
>
> I just used the opportunity to try and explain a bit more on the process
> of getting into (or being approved as a member to) the BugController
> team. This is why I cross-posted to the BugSquad. Perhaps I did it wrong
> (or sounded wrong). I (again) apologise.
>
> Without knowing more about your specific case, I cannot comment on how
> you could help. But please rest assured that *any* help is welcome.
>
> Best regards,
>
> ..C..
>
> p.s. One point that was raised last week on the Ubuntu Development
> Summit (UDS) is that we need to explain more, on the mailing lists, what
> is going on, what we would like to do, and request more input. Your
> email very much confirms we need this. Please keep on. We need you.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Ubuntu-bugsquad mailing list
> Ubuntu-bugsquad at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugsquad
>
>



-- 
Robert Lummis