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Contributor reverendlinux on the Programming category

Ubuntu Developer Network  
Written by JReagan1990 the 17 Feb 09 at 16:19. Related project: ubuntu.com. Implemented
Just like Microsoft has MSDN, Sun has SDN, why not have a UDN? :)

We have MOTU, but still the wiki pages are scattered and not exactly the best guides on how to begin programming. Beginners would find it troubling on how to begin. Creating a developer community around Ubuntu would be extremely beneficial.
446
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): CREATE UDN!
Written by JReagan1990 the 17 Feb 09 at 16:19.
A page could be created on the main ubuntu.com site, and would include sections for "beginners", "experienced developers", etc. This page would have all the resources (or links to wiki pages) to get started developing applications for Ubuntu. Let's face it -- there is no easy guide to creating a simple package for beginning programmers, or guides that might be suitable for such a task. The page could also embed videos from the Ubuntu Developer's channel, and even host the Ubuntu Developer News (the weekly news for ubuntu devs).

It would certainly help improve the image of Ubuntu's development process and show that it is very active. The site would also make it more visible to mainstream developers (game companies, etc.), and it would also help to create a standard around Ubuntu.

Update - added a mockup (screenshot) over on my blog with a more complete writeup:

http://jonreagan.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/ubuntu-developer-network/

You can read the official plan here:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfdw2zz6_155gdk646df
-171
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Make UDN subscription based
Written by 311005901 the 22 Feb 09 at 14:38.
Users can still go to the Ubuntu forums for help, but the UDN network could be more in-depth and require a low monthly fee. The proceeds will go toward upkeep of the site, development projects, or Canonical.
210
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Make UDN completely free
Written by 311005901 the 22 Feb 09 at 14:43.
Users can access all areas of the UDN website free of charge, always.
47
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Make a learn on your own style course
Written by asdlkf the 2 Mar 09 at 14:53.
While many people that develop for linux/ubuntu have formal education in programming, etc...

We can not expect users who do not know how to make a hello world program to contribute to bug fixing or creation of new content.

Far more work needs to be put into creating an organized, prerequisites-basted, comprehensive, and motivating site/videos/etc. Call it ubuntu classroom or something. Maybe it could be part of edubuntu or just in some way related.

EVERY topic should be touched on and there needs to be quality control and granularity to the subjects included.

A very tree-like structure should be used.

"How to program for ubuntu"
"How to Program for ubuntu in C"
"How to Program in C"
"For loops in C"
"If-then control structures in C"
"binary tree searching in C"
"Basics of data structures"
"Basics of data types"
"How to define data types"
"How to program for ubuntu in php"
"How to program for ubuntu in ..."
"How to port programs to ubuntu from Windows"
"How to port programs to ubuntu from windows in C"
"How to package your program for use with ubuntu"
"How to compile the program for use in a package"
"How to compile the program"
"How to configure an IDE"
"How to obtain/select an IDE"
"How to locate include'ed source packages"
"Settings to use for generic distribution"
"Where to submit completed packages"
"How to get help with your program(ing)"
"Where you can go to find help"
"Where you can go to find help online"
"Where you can go to find help IRL"
"Where you can go to find help in class"
"How to decipher compile errors"
"How to troubleshoot logic errors"
"etc... etc... etc..."
"etc... etc... etc..."

Obviously this list could be 1000's of lines long. But the basic structure should be:
Item
-List of items which [Item] is dependant on
-Information on where/what/how to use [Item]
-List of items which depend on [Item]

This way, when people link to a tutorial "oh, just go here and see how to program in C", they are also linking to all of the tutorial information someone would need to know how to program in C reguardless of prerequisite knowledge.


By providing a complete framework for getting started at ANY point, anyone with any level of educational background could say "I want to learn how to make a program in C and package it for use in ubuntu". Then find how to program in C. Then read how to use data types/control structures/GUI's/etc..

It might take them a few days/weeks/whatever to read up to speed, but in the end, they could do it, for free, open.

-- Chris
25
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#5): Create a UDN Wiki complete with tutorials on GTK, Mono etc.
Written by jamesmcm the 15 Mar 09 at 12:21.
This would make it much easier for developers who haven't used GNU/Linux before to develop applications for Ubuntu. A wiki style system is useful as it is easy to keep up to date and well moderated.
6
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Like Solution #1 and #4 but also with mentors
Written by trumbun the 22 Apr 09 at 15:01.
Sometimes new programmer would like to help but it is difficult to find a project to help in it.

Their should be a page with projects that Ubuntu developers help in.

A subscription page for new programmers that wish to help with their knowledge (like a CV)

When a project is assigned to the programmer he/she can talk to a mentor using voice chat to help out.

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 9 Jul 11 at 16:51) >>