Dominique Dumont: Debian NM process: it s not bureaucracy, it s
Hello
Before entering Debian NM process (formerly New Maintainer process, now New Member process) , I ve often read that it was too long, too hard, or too bureaucratic.
It s certainly true that becoming a Debian Developer takes some time. Even if you re already actively packaging. You have to answer a lot of questions regarding several aspects of Debian project. Some of them are not fun but necessary:
- Licensing is mostly boring but necessary: a mistake there may put the whole project in jeopardy. On the positive side, you also learn how to protect the software you write
- Debian social rules: Well, Debian project is inviting you to become a member. As they say When in Rome, do like the Romans . Learning Debian ways and customs will allow you to better cooperate and benefit from the project.
- Tools and skills: Even though I ve been actively packaging for Debian-perl team for quite a while, I did have some knowledge holes. I had to do some research to answer questions. Especially regarding security practices and all the packaging tools available in Debian.
- gregoa whose attention to small details is uncanny
- xoswald who had to read all my answers and the bad jokes in there
- Enrico who reviewed the whole stuff and approved my application
- The debian-perl team for their warm welcome and helpful attitude