From: ptkwt@... (Phil Tomson) Date: 2005-06-03T02:20:23+09:00 Subject: Re: Google Summer of Code: status of Ruby Central In article , David A. Black wrote: >Hi -- > >There's a big buzz about the Google Summer of Code program >(http://code.google.com/summerofcode.html), and I thought I'd post an >update (not an encouraging one) here, with regard to Ruby Central, >Inc. > >I had hoped that this post would be a call for mentors for the Summer >of Code program. Unfortunately, as of this morning they appear to >have shut the door on further mentoring organzations. The information >on the website is contradictory, and I have written to them asking for >clarification and help. But if the worst is true (the "No" in the >FAQ, as opposed to the "It's not too late" in the overview), then Ruby >Central is out in the cold. > >I will keep you posted. Meanwhile, any students who want to apply >should, I'm sorry to say, probably look for another mentoring >organization. I wish it were otherwise, but most of all I do not want >to see anyone's application held up or sidetracked because of these >problems. > I'm not sure why Google was in such a hurry. They just announced this program on May 31st. It would have been much better if they had announced it a month or two earlier to give the 'mentoring organizations' time to respond and set up the needed infrastructure, etc. It would have also given the 'students' more time to plan and make proposals as well. From their FAQ: "What kind of deadlines are associated with the Summer of Code? May 31st: Announce on code.google.com and open application process June 1st: Last Day new Organizations will be listed on Code.Google.Com" One day?! What gives? This all has a smell of a last-minute, hastily planned project. Hopefully next year they'll give better advance warning. Phil