Hello Martijn,
On Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:23:54 +0200 Martijn Bastiaan martijn.bastiaan@gmail.com wrote:
For a while now, I've been interested in the development of Coreboot. I really like the idea of an open-source firmware, which could possibly replace all the current propriertary ones. At the same time I'm looking for a project I can make a (ever so small) contribution to. I hope to do that this summer vacation, in order to expand my current skillset.
You have not mentioned it at all although it might suit you very well: http://www.coreboot.org/GSoC
That last sentence implies why I'm writing to this mailing list instead of starting right away: I feel like I (currently) lack the necessary skills to make a meaningful contribution, or to understand the codebase at all. I would however like to make an effort to change that situation, but I don't know where to start. Let me start by introducting myself so you can decide whether I'm even remotely suited :-).
Anyone putting some effort into learning some basics can help in one way or another. This is true for any (FOSS) project IMHO. The main question is usually if the open tasks that are interesting to you can be solved by you.
AmCAT allowed me to develop my Python skills to a point where I can call myself experienced. I have no significant experience writing in C, apart from the operating systems course[3] I took and passed last term.
Understanding and writing C is naturally one of the most important skills when working on the core parts of coreboot. But OTOH this means that one is forced to learn that quickly when trying to solve related problems.
I would love to hear your advice on the matter. What literature do you recommend? Or would I be better suited for another project maybe?
I found my lack of x86 knowledge way more challenging than anything else. The hardware in use today evolved over a very long period of time and much of this history including numerous tiny, awkward details are the reason for how things (have to) work in coreboot.
Take a look at these links to understand what I mean with "challenging" :) http://www.coreboot.org/Datasheets#Intel http://lennartb.home.xs4all.nl/coreboot/coreboot.html
Hi Stefan,
Thanks for your reply! I'll be certainly looking into the links you provided (and yes, they do look challenging!).
You have not mentioned it at all although it might suit you very well: http://www.coreboot.org/GSoC
I think the Project_Ideas page provides interesting challanges, including a few which I think I might be capable to do. I unfortunately can't participate in the Google Summer of Code this year, while I expect to have little spare time after the summer vacation is over. On top of that, I don't think I really qualify yet:
Prior to project acceptance, you have demonstrated that you can work with the coreboot codebase.
But both issues are hopefully resolved in 2014.
Thanks again! Martijn
PS: I've discovered a few broken links throughout the Coreboot wiki. Maybe I can start participating by fixing them? :-)
2013/4/15 Stefan Tauner stefan.tauner@student.tuwien.ac.at:
Hello Martijn,
On Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:23:54 +0200 Martijn Bastiaan martijn.bastiaan@gmail.com wrote:
For a while now, I've been interested in the development of Coreboot. I really like the idea of an open-source firmware, which could possibly replace all the current propriertary ones. At the same time I'm looking for a project I can make a (ever so small) contribution to. I hope to do that this summer vacation, in order to expand my current skillset.
You have not mentioned it at all although it might suit you very well: http://www.coreboot.org/GSoC
That last sentence implies why I'm writing to this mailing list instead of starting right away: I feel like I (currently) lack the necessary skills to make a meaningful contribution, or to understand the codebase at all. I would however like to make an effort to change that situation, but I don't know where to start. Let me start by introducting myself so you can decide whether I'm even remotely suited :-).
Anyone putting some effort into learning some basics can help in one way or another. This is true for any (FOSS) project IMHO. The main question is usually if the open tasks that are interesting to you can be solved by you.
AmCAT allowed me to develop my Python skills to a point where I can call myself experienced. I have no significant experience writing in C, apart from the operating systems course[3] I took and passed last term.
Understanding and writing C is naturally one of the most important skills when working on the core parts of coreboot. But OTOH this means that one is forced to learn that quickly when trying to solve related problems.
I would love to hear your advice on the matter. What literature do you recommend? Or would I be better suited for another project maybe?
I found my lack of x86 knowledge way more challenging than anything else. The hardware in use today evolved over a very long period of time and much of this history including numerous tiny, awkward details are the reason for how things (have to) work in coreboot.
Take a look at these links to understand what I mean with "challenging" :) http://www.coreboot.org/Datasheets#Intel http://lennartb.home.xs4all.nl/coreboot/coreboot.html
-- Kind regards/Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Stefan Tauner
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Martijn Bastiaan -
Stefan Tauner