Comments on: Summer of Code: tough decisions and how much competition is too much? http://blog.evolvingbits.org/2008/04/25/summer-of-code-tough-decisions-and-competition/ Ideas, bits, and bytes, mostly in the area of phyloinformatics Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:42:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Incubating synthesis: NESCent goes IRC, and you can join « Evolving Bits http://blog.evolvingbits.org/2008/04/25/summer-of-code-tough-decisions-and-competition/#comment-29 Incubating synthesis: NESCent goes IRC, and you can join « Evolving Bits Thu, 01 May 2008 17:44:56 +0000 http://evolvingbits.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-29 As I noted earlier, one of the things we did differently this year for our Summer of Code participation is to maintain a presence on IRC [...] As I noted earlier, one of the things we did differently this year for our Summer of Code participation is to maintain a presence on IRC [...]

]]> By: drycafe http://blog.evolvingbits.org/2008/04/25/summer-of-code-tough-decisions-and-competition/#comment-28 drycafe Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:14:53 +0000 http://evolvingbits.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-28 Hi Erica, the number of mentoring organizations went up quite a bit this year, from about 130 last year to 178. The SoC program also received more applications (>7,100) this year than last year, but Google also is funding about 25% more students in total (there are more statistics at the <a href="http://google-opensource.blogspot.com/2008/04/announcing-accepted-student-proposals.html" rel="nofollow">Google Open Source Blog</a>). So while it's possible that the increased number of participating organizations was a factor, I don't think it was a significant one. I think you're right that we didn't pay enough attention to having language that specifically addresses concerns that newbies might have. We'll have to think more thoroughly about this next year. Thanks for your comments, really appreciate it. Hi Erica, the number of mentoring organizations went up quite a bit this year, from about 130 last year to 178. The SoC program also received more applications (>7,100) this year than last year, but Google also is funding about 25% more students in total (there are more statistics at the Google Open Source Blog). So while it’s possible that the increased number of participating organizations was a factor, I don’t think it was a significant one.

I think you’re right that we didn’t pay enough attention to having language that specifically addresses concerns that newbies might have. We’ll have to think more thoroughly about this next year.

Thanks for your comments, really appreciate it.

]]> By: Yi-Hsin Erica Tsai http://blog.evolvingbits.org/2008/04/25/summer-of-code-tough-decisions-and-competition/#comment-27 Yi-Hsin Erica Tsai Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:25:28 +0000 http://evolvingbits.wordpress.com/?p=23#comment-27 I'm sad to hear that the PSoC got so few slots this year. How did the total number of mentoring organizations change from last year? I'm just wondering if that could be a factor in the decreased number. If you want to increase the number of "newbies" to the program, maybe in some of the idea pitches we could have more newbie-friendly language or even designate some projects as part of a "newbie-program". Or even have a "pep talk" section of the wiki. But that may be too much hand holding. It could also be difficult to recruit mentors to work specifically with newbies. Hmmm. It's a difficult balance to strike. Regardless, it sounds like we need to get the application rate up in order to get more slots. I’m sad to hear that the PSoC got so few slots this year. How did the total number of mentoring organizations change from last year? I’m just wondering if that could be a factor in the decreased number.

If you want to increase the number of “newbies” to the program, maybe in some of the idea pitches we could have more newbie-friendly language or even designate some projects as part of a “newbie-program”. Or even have a “pep talk” section of the wiki. But that may be too much hand holding. It could also be difficult to recruit mentors to work specifically with newbies. Hmmm. It’s a difficult balance to strike. Regardless, it sounds like we need to get the application rate up in order to get more slots.

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