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This page is WIP for Debian's participation in Google Season of Docs 2019.
Debian will participate for the first time in the Google Season of Docs (GSoD). We are looking for one or two technical writers to work together with the Debian community in improving some parts of the Debian documentation.
Google Season of Docs is a program where Google pays technical writers stipends to work three months on free software projects such as Debian. Each person works with one or more mentors from the community to review, create or improve the project documentation.
Background
Debian is dedicated to increasing the diversity of contributors to the project and improving the inclusivity of the project. We strongly believe working towards these goals provides benefits both for people from backgrounds that are currently under-represented in free software, and for the wider movement, by increasing the range of skills, experiences and viewpoints contributing to it.
The Google Season of Docs programs aims to "bring open source and technical writer communities together, to the benefit of both. Together we raise awareness of open source, of docs, and of technical writing".
For whom
To participate in Season of Docs as a technical writer, you must be:
- At least 18 years old at time of registration.
- Able to demonstrate prior technical writing experience by submitting role descriptions and work samples.
- Eligible to work in their country of residence during duration of program.
- A resident of a country not currently embargoed by the United States. See the Sanctions Programs and Country Information from the US Treasury.
More details about Google's requirements in https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/tech-writer-guide
In Debian we participate in Google Season of Docs with this goals:
- As an outreach program: *extend Debian* (the OS and the community) to new groups of people
- Improve Debian documentation, by means of *collaborative work* of the people involved in GSoD and the corresponding Debian teams
- Retain talent and motivation to *further involvement* in documentation areas and in Debian (not only during the program)
We encourage participation if you align with these goals
Timeline
(See https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/timeline for more details)
April 23, 2019 at 20:00 UTC |
Deadline for organization applications |
April 30, 2019 at 12:00 UTC |
Google publishes the list of accepted mentoring organizations |
April 30 - May 28, 2019 |
Interested technical writers discuss project ideas with Debian |
May 29, 2019 at 18:00 UTC |
Start of technical writer application period |
June 28, 2019 at 18:00 UTC |
Deadline for technical writer applications |
July 30, 2019 at 18:00 UTC |
Google announces the accepted technical writer projects |
August 1 - September 1, 2019 |
Community bonding |
September 2 - November 22, 2019 |
Doc development: Technical writers work on their project with guidance from mentors |
November 25 - 29, 2019 at 18:00 UTC |
Final week: Technical writers submit their final work products and their mentor evaluations |
December 2 - 6, 2019 at 18:00 UTC |
Mentors submit their evaluations |
December 10, 2019 |
Google announces the results of Season of Docs 2019 |
Project Ideas
Guidelines for GSoD Projects in Debian
Our mentors are required to provide prospective applicants with some small (i.e. that can be accomplished in at most a few hours) task related to the proposed project. This will help both the mentor and student decide if they are a suitable match for each other and the project. In the case that the Debian GSoD admins have to rank projects, the results of this small task will also help give confidence in a project-mentor-student matchup.
The proposed project should also follow some rules:
- All proposed projects must directly relate to Debian and fit into the pre-existing work of a Debian team
- All projects must have at least one mentor with a formal affiliation to the Debian project or be widely recognized as a contributor to the Debian community
- Mentors are only mentors for one project (That applies to mentors and co-mentors)
List of projects
Initial set of projects is here.
Participate
As mentor
Read the documentation at https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/docs/
- Contact us in our communication channels
As technical writer
Read the documentation at https://developers.google.com/season-of-docs/
- During the month of May you can have a look at the project ideas and ask questions/doubts in our communication channels
- Submit your application prior to the deadline (29 June 2019, see the detailed timeline above)
How to communicate with us
Debian is a huge project, so we have created a welcoming atmosphere:
IRC: #debian-outreach in the OFTC network (irc.debian.org)
Coordinators of the program:
see the Outreach team page on the wiki
direct email contact: <outreach AT debian DOT org>
See also
Other paid internships and mentor opportunities are available.