[Edu-sig] FW: RFS: python-visual - VPython 3D scientific visualization library

[John Zelle]

Arthur wrote:
> Floris Bruynooghe has created a VPython Debian distribution and is in
> process of attempting to have it accepted as "official" Debian package.
> 
> Not being familiar with the process I am having trouble following the
> dialogue - "sponsorship" vs. "adoption", etc.
> 
> Obviously I would like to see Floris successful.  This would, for example,
> make is possible to see VPython available in the ubuntu "universe" of
> packages. A very good thing, IMO.
>

I agree. As a dedicated Debian and VPython user, I'd also like to see 
this happen.

> Can anyone here help sort this out?
>

To get a package into Debian, one must either be a Debian developer, or 
find a developer willing to "sponsor" the package. In the case of a 
sponsor, the sponsor is the one who verifys, signs, and uploads the 
package to the Debian distribution, however, the original packager 
(Floris in this case) is tagged as the maintainer of the package. There 
is something more to sponsorship than uploading packages, however. 
Having one's package sponsored is also a way of showing that one is 
capable of contributing to Debian, and thus might later be considered as 
  a developer. In order to become an actual developer, you need to have 
an advocate who is a current developer. The sponsorship practice can be 
part of mentoring and eventually advocacy as a pathway to becoming a 
full-fledged Debian developer.

If I read the following message correctly, Jonas is volunteering to take 
over maintenance of the VPython package, rather than sponsoring it. That 
means he would upload it and also be listed as the maintainer, and hence 
be responsible for future revision and maintainence of the package. I 
don't know what his reasoning is exactly, but he appears not to want any 
part of the sponsorship thing.

Does that answer your question?

--John

> Art
> 
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jonas Smedegaard [mailto:dr at jones.dk] 
> Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 5:33 AM
> To: Floris Bruynooghe
> Cc: debian-edu at lists.debian.org; 112118 at bugs.debian.org
> Subject: Re: RFS: python-visual - VPython 3D scientific visualization
> library
> 
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
> 
> On 02-04-2005 18:14, Floris Bruynooghe wrote:
> 
> 
>>I have been packaging VPython for some time now and would like to get
>>it into the main Debian archive.  There has been an ITP for this way
>>back in September 2001 (#112118) which was retitled to RFP in December
>>2002 due to nothing happening with it.
> 
> 
>>Hopefully I tempted someone to sponsor this package.
> 
> 
> Are you requesting sponsorship or adoption of the package?
> 
> 
> I have had a look at the package, and find your packaging very well
> done. I'd like to adopt it if that's ok with you.
> 
> I do not, however, want to sponsor your package as part of you becoming
> a Debian Developer (I _do_ want more Debian developers, I just don't
> believe in the current package sponsoring logic).
> 
> 
> If you later become a Debian Developer and want to take over official
> maintainance of it for Debian, I'd be happy to hand it back to you.
> 
> 
> So please tell me if it's fine with you that I adopt the package for
> official Debian maintainance.
> 
> 
> Regards,
> 
>  - Jonas
> 
> - --
> * Jonas Smedegaard - idealist og Internet-arkitekt
> * Tlf.: +45 40843136  Website: http://dr.jones.dk/
> 
>  - Enden er nær: http://www.shibumi.org/eoti.htm
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-- 
John M. Zelle, Ph.D.             Wartburg College
Professor of Computer Science    Waverly, IA
john.zelle at wartburg.edu          (319) 352-8360