If I can summarize to make sure I understand this.
Being a sponsor is not just about typing putback,
but it is actually moderately heavyweight in that
the sponsor is expected to build, test (maybe DIY test?),
and validate the changes. Frankly, in many cases that
may take more time than the actual code change.
This is definately more than we expect from CRT advocates
for normal RTIs.
Because of this extra work, the existing list of sponsors
doesn't scale and the pool of qualified candidates may
not even be large enough, even if they were all willing.
So the new third category are people willing to do all the
grunt work of builds and tests that consumes all the time.
This is the same thing we expect out of any Solaris
developer so potentially the pool is anyone who has
successfully done just one putback.
Then the sponsor plays more of the role that is more traditionally
done by a CRT advocate, verifying they did everything
necessary, repeat until satisfied.
If I have this right, this seems very reasonable.
-David
On Oct 25, 2005, at 11:32 AM, Bonnie Corwin wrote:
> Apologies for not being clear last week - let's try again.
>
> Until we can allow external contributors to integrate directly to the
> O/N gate, Sun developers (sponsors) are pairing with external
> developers
> to follow the O/N code integration processes.
>
> The original concept of sponsoring included two tiers: CRT advocates
> and
> sponsors. Both tiers require some amount of 'significant' experience
> working in the O/N source hierarchy. Both can take a request and run
> with it.
>
> Because we've had problems covering requests in a timely manner and
> because we have interest from people who might not currently meet the
> sponsor experience requirements, we propose opening the process by
> adding a third tier.
>
> The third tier will allow more people to participate. But since
> engineers in the third tier will have less experience, they will need
> to
> partner with someone in one of the other tiers to gain experience.
>
> Which means that an advocate/sponsor will also need to be willing to
> partner once in a while.
>
> Information has been added to the proposal below to cite minimum
> requirements for the third tier and to outline partner responsibilities
> (under "The three tiers" section).
>
> If you think this is a reasonable way to proceed, silence will indicate
> agreement.
>
> If you see significant problems with this approach, please respond to
> the alias by COB Thu, 10/27.
>
> Thanks for your patience and your input.
>
> John Beck
> Bonnie Corwin
>
> ===============================
> Becoming an OpenSolaris Sponsor
> ===============================
>
> There are three tiers of sponsors for OpenSolaris:
>
> 1. CRT advocates
> 2. middle-tier sponsors
> 3. everyone else
>
>
> For details about what all sponsors need to do, see:
>
> http://www.opensolaris.org/os/community/onnv/crt/sponsor-tasks/
> http://www.opensolaris.org/os/community/onnv/crt/rti-nits/
>
> The three tiers:
>
> - The advocates are the most senior; for how they are selected, see:
>
> http://www.opensolaris.org/os/community/onnv/crt/becoming-an-advocate/
>
> - The non-advocate "middle-tier" sponsors are, well, in the middle:
> some
> experience [1] is required, and some in this tier may be "in
> training"
> to become advocates, though many are just helping out as needed. The
> complete list of engineers in these top two tiers can be found at:
> http://www.opensolaris.org/os/community/onnv/crt/advocates/
>
> - The remaining group, "everyone else", consists of everyone who has
> not
> yet met the experience requirement for the middle tier, or for
> whatever reason is unable or unwilling to mentor less experienced
> engineers on a regular basis. Engineers in this group may sponsor
> external contributions, but they must partner with an advocate or
> middle-tier sponsor. Engineers in this group must have made at least
> one successful putback to the current ON development gate within the
> six months preceding their commitment to sponsor an external
> contribution. The partner is responsible for being available to
> answer questions and to review the RTI prior to submission.
>
> How to become a middle-tier sponsor:
>
> - Determine whether your experience falls in the ballpark [1].
> - Read the details at the locations cited above.
> - Send email to sponsor-signup at opensolaris.org saying that you have
> read the information and are willing to perform the tasks.
>
> How to partner with an advocate/middle-tier sponsor:
>
> - Be sure you meet the criteria noted above.
> - Contact someone on
> http://www.opensolaris.org/os/community/onnv/crt/advocates/
> with your request.
> - If you have problems finding a partner, send email to
> sponsor-signup at opensolaris.org.
>
>
> [1] How much experience is enough? As with most things in life, it
> depends. :-) Our ballpark metric is 10 successful putbacks to
> an ON gate, and note that putbacks done in the role of sponsoring
> an external contribution count towards this goal. But not all
> putbacks are equal, and judgement is key, so exactly how much is
> enough will vary, and will be left to the judgement of the CRT
> chair in conjunction with other CRT advocates.
>
> _______________________________________________
> request-sponsor mailing list
> request-sponsor at opensolaris.org
