Re: Google Summer of Code proposals open TODAY!

We've had a lot of good discussions on IRC, and IM and twitter about
possible proposals...

This is an update that we've got one week left for proposals, and I
encourage students to get proposals in sooner rather than later so
they're in the system.

So far we have interesting proposals for working with JRuby's IR,
Android/Ruboto work, Shoes, benchmarking, Kilim integration, EM on
Netty...but few are submitted to the GSoC tool.

Don't be afraid to submit...you can edit the proposal afterwards, and
there's a commenting system where we can discuss the content and help
you put together a great proposal.

For non-students out there: we'd really appreciate you passing this
information along to any students you know that might want to be paid
to work on JRuby-related OSS projects this summer. The more proposals
we get, the more slots we're likely to have!

- Charlie

On Sat, Mar 24, 2012 at 11:52 PM, Charles Oliver Nutter
<[e-mail]> wrote:
> I posted previously about JRuby being accepted to the Google Summer of
> Code 2012. Student proposals can be submitted starting *TODAY*, and we
> really want to make a good showing for both JRuby and Ruby. Tell your
> friends, tell your neighbors, pass this on to anyone you think would
> be a good student or mentor!
>
> This content is also available at http://jruby.org/gsoc.
>
> We=E2=80=99re looking for good mentors and students to come together and =
help
> make JRuby even more awesome. JRuby has great potential to expand Ruby
> and to improve the state of Ruby development, and at the same time it
> represents a number of interesting and unique challenges.
>
> Ideas
>
> Ideas for JRuby=E2=80=99s GSoC fall into a few categories:
>
> Working on JRuby itself
> JRuby always has challenges keeping up with CRuby/MRI on features, and
> it=E2=80=99s through user contributions that we=E2=80=99ve managed to mai=
ntain such a
> high level of compatibility. There are also many interesting technical
> challenges implementing JRuby, like optimization, monitoring,
> debugging, and integrating with the Java platform. We welcome students
> interested in helping improve JRuby.
>
> Working on libraries and tools for JRuby
> Because JRuby runs on the JVM, many libraries from CRuby/MRI don=E2=80=99=
t
> work, either because they depend on features the JVM can=E2=80=99t suppor=
t
> (like fork(2)) or because they use native extensions. This can make it
> more difficult for users to migrate to JRuby. We welcome students
> interested in helping fill out JRuby=E2=80=99s support for common CRuby/M=
RI
> libraries.
>
> Building on the JVM, its languages, and its libraries
> The JVM is a huge platform with many languages and libraries that all
> have unique features and interesting solutions to software problems.
> JRuby can leverage those features through its Java Integration
> capabilities, but often they need extra work to really have that =E2=80=
=9CRuby
> feel=E2=80=9D. We welcome students interested in helping JRuby leverage t=
he
> features of the JVM and the languages and libraries it hosts.
>
> How to Get Involved
>
> Students and mentors should join the JRuby development mailing list
>
> Students
>
> If you are a student and interested in working on a JRuby GSoC project
> this summer, join the mailing list above and let us know what project
> you have in mind. When the call for GSoC proposals opens, submit your
> idea!
>
> GSoC will be open for student proposals on March 25th (US time).
>
> To apply, visit the the JRuby GSoC Page. If you don=E2=80=99t have a GSoC
> profile, there=E2=80=99s a big Register link to create one. Once you have=
 a
> GSoC profile, you can apply.
>
> Students should have the following skills:
>
> Solid knowledge of Ruby. JRuby knowledge is a plus but not necessary.
> Good work ethic. We want students that will carry projects to completion.
> Strong interest in the problem domain for their project. For example,
> if you want to work on JRuby=E2=80=99s compilers, you should have an inte=
rest
> in compilers.
> We don=E2=80=99t know how many GSoC slots we=E2=80=99ll get, but the more=
 proposals we
> have the more likely we=E2=80=99ll get slots. Submit proposals as soon as
> possible!
>
> Mentors
>
> If you are a mentor and would like to help a student work on some
> project this summer, now is the time to apply at the GSoC page. We are
> looking for folks that will be able to educate and encourage students
> during the summer and help keep them to a solid schedule.
>
> Mentors will be accepted any time during the proposal process.
>
> To apply, visit the the JRuby GSoC Page. If you don=E2=80=99t have a GSoC
> profile, there=E2=80=99s a big Register link to create one. Once you have=
 a
> GSoC profile, you can apply.
>
> Mentors should have the following characteristics:
>
> Some experience mentoring junior developers, either professionally or
> academically.
> Strong knowledge of Ruby, and solid knowledge of JRuby.
> Knowledge of the Java platform and/or the JVM are recommended, since
> many students will be new to them.
> Highly accessible. Students will participate from all over the world
> and frequent, consistent communication is the best way to guarantee
> success.