The Mozilla Science Lab’s global sprint is happening this Thursday and Friday, June 4-5, 2015. This is our second global sprint , and we wanted to share some answers to frequently asked questions to help you get started …
When is the sprint taking place?
- June 4 – 5, 2015. Each site will be open during normal business hours (roughly 9:00 am to 5:00 pm local time—exact times are posted on our planning etherpad here: https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint
- Sites will keep normal hours — no all-nighters, please — and each site will wrap up at the end of regular business hours on Friday, June 5.
- New Zealand and Australia will be the first sites live (16-18 hours ahead of EST), with additional sites coming online at the start of their Thursday.
What projects are currently included in the sprint ?
- All project information is posted on https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint starting around Line 37. Take a look through the list to find something that interests you.
Do I need to be a programmer?
- No – the sprint is designed for all kinds of participants. including researchers, developers and educators. There are a host of projects with something for everyone to help with, from reviewing code or lesson/documentation content, to helping create curriculum and even hack on tools. Take a look at the projects listed starting around Line 37 – https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint, to find out the many ways that you can contribute.
Do I need to register somewhere?
- No, but we would appreciate it if you could sign up here https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint by adding your name and email (optional) to the Participants list at a site near you. This will give the site hosts some idea on how many people to expect at their site.
- Can’t find a site that’s close ? Add your name under ‘Remote Participants‘ at the bottom of the pad.
What sites are currently included?
- There are sites all around the world. The complete list of active sites is posted here https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint starting around Line 220.
Do I have to be at one of the listed sites?
- Not at all—many people will be available to help out and answer questions online via web conferencing, IRC and Twitter. But if you can get to one of the listed sites, it would be a chance to make some new friends.
Where are those sites, exactly?
- Addresses and maps along with site-specific information can be found on the planning etherpad here, https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint starting around Line 220.
How will sites be connected?
- We will set up a single Vidyo conference to connect all of the active sites, primarily to give people a sense of who’s awake where. To join the conference follow the installation instructions here https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint-webconferencing.
- We’ll also be using the #sciencelab chat room on irc.mozilla.com as the main place for chat. Need help getting started? Check out this guide: https://www.mozillascience.org/join-the-sciencelab-on-irc/
If I can’t make it to a site how can i participate remotely ?
- Join the Vidyo conference room any time during the two day sprint to connect with project leads, sprint participants and site hosts. To join the conference follow the installation instructions here https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint-webconferencing and join us during your regular working hours.
Where will work take place online?
- Each project will use the version control repository, mailing lists, and so on that it usually uses to manage participant contributions. Some may be a little different – just ask the project lead how they’d like you to participate. Details on how to participate in a specific project are provided on the etherpad under each project https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint starting around Line 37.
How can I make contact with a project I’m interested in?
- The names of the project coordinators are listed below on the etherpad https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint starting around Line 37.
What should I do to prepare?
- Add yourself to the etherpad. https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint either at a specific site or as a remote participant.
- Decide which project you’d like to work on. (We recommend that people focus on just one—two days goes by very quickly.)
- Have a look at the project’s open issues and pull requests to find something to start working on.
- Have a question? Ping the Science Lab team (Arliss, Bill, Abby, Kaitlin) on IRC. We’re happy to help. https://www.mozillascience.org/join-the-sciencelab-on-irc/
What should I do on the day?
- Show up around 9:00 am local time (again, the exact times for each site will be posted on the planning etherpad https://etherpad.mozilla.org/sciencelab-2015globalsprint
- Introduce yourself to the site host and/or the person coordinating the project you’re working on.
- Check your chosen project’s issue list and/or chat with the coordinator to see what needs to be reviewed. (Reviewing is often a gentler way to ease into work than writing or coding.)
- Once you’ve done a review or two, pick some writing, drawing, or coding that needs to be done, check to make sure no-one else is already doing it, and dive in.
- Repeat until it’s time to wrap up for the day, then get a good night’s sleep and come back in the next day to do it again.
Do I need to bring my own computer?
- Yes please. Machines will not be provided.
Do I have to be there on both days?
- No, but we do ask that people commit to at least one full day (or two half-days) so that projects don’t spend all of their time getting newcomers on board.
What about coffee, lunch, and dinner?
- We suggest that the sites provide coffee (and snacks if they can), but do not need to provide meals. That said, we strongly encourage the people working at each site to get lunch together, and to go out together at the end of the first day: this sprint is meant to help build community, and sharing a meal with someone is a great way to get to know them.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on June 4th !