[coreboot] Summer project

[Martijn Bastiaan]

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 at student.tuwien.ac.at>:
> Hello Martijn,
>
> On Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:23:54 +0200
> Martijn Bastiaan <martijn.bastiaan at 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