Fedora Docs QA Process

Notes from SELF 2011

At the SouthEast LinuxFest (SELF) a few Docs folks grabbed a room and started discussing some processes for QA with the Docs Project.

A few months ago the idea was had to have a QA team that would review the text and DocBook code to make sure what we are saying is correct and has consistent XML tags.  Several members stepped forward work this project but the process never really got off the ground and the organization never came together.

At the SELF FAD we tried to make the process easy and yet functional.  Basically we created two processes: new text and bug fixes.

The new text process involves creating the new guide/article, committing it to a repo, opening up a BZ ticket, having someone from Docs QA go through the guide making sure that the processes and procedures are correct and that the DocBook XML tags are correct and consistent, then branching the repo and publishing.  Similarly, bug fixes have their patches reviewed prior to be committed to the branch for publishing.

Not only does this give us the opportunity to “clean up” our documents before they hit the streets, this will also give us an opportunity to engage our new contributors that may not be experienced with writing in DocBook XML.

This is by no means the new “policy” but rather a proposal.  Discussion will be over on the Docs List.  I’m hoping this proposal is a win-win situation for Docs!

SELF Day Three – Drupal Camp and Fedora Activity Day

Day three started off with a bang.  I met Paul at the “Beginner’s class for Drupal” during the Drupal Camp.  During that class we were given lots of good information on Drupal including how to install and set up Drupal in less than five minutes.

Several Fedorians then gathered at the local Krispy Kreme to discuss the upcoming Fedora Activity Day (FAD) that was to begin at 1PM.  Paul and Max started putting together their plan to debunk myths within Fedora.  Ian was tasked with explaining how to becoming a contributor and how to utilize the wiki.  With the best laid plans we returned to the conference center with a plan to dazzle all that attended the FAD.

The FAD began promptly at 1PM with thirty to forty participants.  Paul answered lots of questions including those regarding RPM dependency hell, that it’s difficult to get packages into Fedora, and how you don’t have to be a programmer to be a contributor.

Max took over for Paul and we were soon into becoming a contributor.  Ian walked everyone through the process of getting a FAS account and signing the CLA.  One gentleman in the crowd signed up immediately!

After going over the process we dove into filing bugs using Bugzilla.  Using an actual problem found we created the bug, gathering as much information as possible, and submitted it upstream to the Kernel Opps site.

After working through the bug we had more of a round-table discussion on Fedora.  Unfortunately it was past 4PM at this point and we needed to get on the road.  I really appreciate everyone who came out to the FAD and participated!  See you next year!

Sparks’ Fedora Project Journal by Eric H Christensen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

FAD (Hackfest) @ SELF – In progress

This morning several Fedorians met to discuss Insight.  Now we are getting ready to hack on the wiki in hopes of making it easier to find the information you seek.

The Docs Project wiki pages will also get some work in hopes of documenting how we do documentation and to clean up some of our processes.  More on this later…

Sparks’ Fedora Project Journal by Eric H Christensen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Good Morning SELF

Well, SELF hasn’t actually started but I slept as long as I could and I’m up!  Where is everyone?

Hackfest at 1P.  Until then Joat and I will be setting up NORAD in our hotel room.  Voice comms on 146.55MHz and data comms on 144.39MHz.

Sparks’ Fedora Project Journal by Eric H Christensen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

SELF – Day -1

Ran around all yesterday trying to get out of the office so Joat and I could head down to SouthEast LinuxFest.  Got on the road to Spartinburg around 4P and drove… and drove… and drove.  Man it’s a long way down here.

The plus is that we were able to talk geek all the way down which is a nice change of pace. Thumbed through some old editions of Linux Journal and the time just flew by.

Arrived at the Marriott hotel around 11P and was in bed before 1A.

Should be fun meeting more Fedorians at Friday’s hackfest.  Hopefully we’ll all get some work done in addition to having fun!

Sparks’ Fedora Project Journal by Eric H Christensen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

What would you like to see at FAD @ SELF?

Are you coming to the FAD @ SELF?  If so, what would you like to see or hear?

Sparks’ Fedora Project Journal by Eric H Christensen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

FAD @ SELF right around the corner!

Wow, I can’t believe how time has flown.  I get a couple weeks worth of downtime at $DAYJOB and now I can’t see my way out from under all the work!

Well, let me take a moment to remind everyone that the Southeast Linux Fest is right around the corner!  The fun and excitement begins on 11 June and Fedora will be there!  We will have a wiki Hackfest on Friday with Fedora talks on Sunday.  Check out our wiki page and add your name if you are planning on being there.

Would you like to talk or have something you’d like to know more about?  Send me a message and I’ll see what I can do!

Hope to see you there!

Sparks’ Fedora Project Journal by Eric H Christensen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

FAD @ SELF

As of this morning (EDT), 46 people who have signed up for Southeast Linux Fest (SELF) have also said they would attend a Fedora Activity Day (FAD).  I don’t really know how many of these people are Fedorians or are people just interested in Fedora.

So what can we do at this FAD?  I know there is some work that needs to be done on the wiki and I can always teach Publican and Docs work.  Maybe we could have Ambassadors on hand to help people try out F13, put a live version on a USB drive, and generally introduce Fedora to new people.

Would you like to work or talk about your Project?  If so please let me know.

I’ve started a wiki page for the event.  If you would like to attend please put your name on the page!

Sparks’ Fedora Project Journal by Eric H Christensen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.