Contributing to Ubuntu

[G4143]

How does one get involved in Ubuntu? I have some programming/hacking experience and I would like to get involved with a small project or contribute in some way but I really don't know the process or anyone. Any pointers?

[deadflowr]

Find-a-task (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2260619)

[G4143]

That link is 'click' do you like this? Click. Do you like that? You think they could have just listed all the possibilities on one page.

[PaulW2U]

That link is 'click' do you like this? Click. Do you like that? You think they could have just listed all the possibilities on one page.
There's always more than one way of doing things. :)

I'm sure ian-weisser (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=1841707) would love to hear from you if you have any constructive suggestions on how the site could be improved. Personally I like the way that site has been designed as it provides a structure to the various ways in which you can contribute.

http://community.ubuntu.com/ might also help you decide in which direction you wish to go.

[deadflowr]

Look at the top area of the page.
You're not relegated to only clicking through the various tasks.
You can go directly to sections such as Developers (http://community.ubuntu.com/contribute/developers/), if you want.
(or you can go even higher on the page to and click on Developer (http://developer.ubuntu.com/en/))

Or any of the other sections listed on the page you would wish to look at.

[sudodus]

You can also participate in iso-testing of the deveoping version of standard Ubuntu or one of the Ubuntu family flavours (Kubuntu, Lubuntu ... Xubuntu). See this link to the iso tracker: http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com/

If you find bugs, please report them at Launchpad: https://launchpad.net/
You need an account at Launchpad to perform these tasks: https://help.launchpad.net/

After a while you will probably find a program that 1: needs improving, and 2: is within your scope to fix.

[grahammechanical]

https://developer.ubuntu.com/en/

[G4143]

I guess I have a lot of reading and exploring to figure out what would be a good fit for me in the Ubuntu community. Thanks you the links.

[mörgæs]

Thanks for your offer.

This seems like a good task to begin with. Not many dependencies to other packages:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gpicview/+bug/1022265

[ian-weisser]

You think they could have just listed all the possibilities on one page.

Yes, we tried that already. Several times.
Perhaps you underestimate the commitment and effort required to maintain a comprehensive and current list of volunteer opportunities...and many complaints such a list creates.

Explore. Just try a few different things.

[G4143]

But the date on that request is 2012-07-08...

[G4143]

Thanks for your offer.

This seems like a good task to begin with. Not many dependencies to other packages:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gpicview/+bug/1022265

But the date on that request is 2012-07-08...

[ian-weisser]

But the date on that request is 2012-07-08...

The bug was most recently tested a few months ago, and is apparently still in the code. Still relevant.

[G4143]

I guess the point I was trying to raise was - it's been four years and no-one fixed the bug. It's probably not a simple bug.

[ian-weisser]

Or perhaps nobody has tried.
Usually a Triager leaves a record of their debugging on the bug report.

Or simply pick a different bug. Plenty to choose from.

[G4143]

Thanks for your offer.

This seems like a good task to begin with. Not many dependencies to other packages:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gpicview/+bug/1022265

I tried downloading and compiling gpicview-0.2.4.tar.gz from sourceforge and it didn't have the problems you described. Used Ubuntu 14.04.

[mörgæs]

Interesting. I will have to take a look at that later.

Anyway, I hope you get the impression that there are many kinds of tasks waiting for a volunteer.

[sudodus]

Does this mean that it would be enough to update the version of gpicview in the Ubuntu repository :-)

@mörgæs, Which version of gpicview is affected by the bug, and in which version(s) of Ubuntu?

@G4143, which version of gpicview (from Sourceforge) works like it should, and in which version of Ubuntu (did you compile it)?

[mörgæs]

I think we should let original poster answer these questions. It will be a good introduction to the software development process.

[G4143]

Interesting. I will have to take a look at that later.

Anyway, I hope you get the impression that there are many kinds of tasks waiting for a volunteer.

Yeah there is plenty to go around but I'm unfamiliar with Ubuntu and apt so I'm still kind of feeling my way around in the dark. I'm sure once I get familiar with a few protocols and ecosystems then I'll jump right in.