[Python-Dev] Encouraging developers

["Martin v. Löwis"]

Nick Coghlan schrieb:
> One thing that did happen though (which the messages from Jeremy & Phil 
> reminded me of) is that I got a lot of direction, advice and assistance 
> from Raymond when I was doing that initial work on improving the speed 
> of the decimal module - I had the time available to run the relevant 
> benchmarks repeatedly and try different things out, while Raymond had 
> the experience needed to suggest possible avenues for optimisation (and 
> when to abandon an approach as making the code too complicated to be 
> effectively maintained).
> 
> I don't know whether or not there is anything specific we can do to 
> encourage that kind of coaching/mentoring activity, but I know it was a 
> significant factor in my become more comfortable with making contributions.

While there was no explicit management of a mentoring process, I think 
it so happened that committers always found a mentor. It so happened 
that some developer activated privileges for them (either himself, or
requesting that this be done), and then certainly feels responsible
for his 'student'. This automatically establishes a mentoring
relationship.

Regards,
Martin