Microkernel Devroom

Google Summer of Code is a global program focused on introducing students to open source software development. Students work on a 3 month programming project with an open source organization during their break from university. Since its inception in 2005, the program has brought together 13,000+ student participants and 12,000 mentors from over 125 countries worldwide. Google Summer of Code has produced 33,000,000+ lines of code for 608 open source organizations.

[... from the Google Summer of Code 2018 site.]

Student Application Template

Basic & Contact Information

  1. Full name:
  2. Preferred name / Nickname:
  3. Age:
  4. Address of residence:
  5. E-mail address:
  6. Phone number (incl. international prefix):
  7. Other means of contact (Skype, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.):
  8. University / College:
  9. Study program / Specialization:
  10. What year are you in at the university / college:

Project Description

  1. Which microkernel-based operating system do you want to contribute to?
  2. Title of your GSoC project:
  3. Please describe your idea for your GSoC project. Be as specific as possible. Include a detailed project description, gains and benefits for the operating system you are contributing to, suggested timeline with milestones and deliverables, alternative paths towards the goals (in case something fails) and risk assessment.

Motivation & Experience

  1. Why did you choose to contribute to the given microkernel-based operating system?
  2. What is your most/least favourite part of the source code of the given microkernel-based operating system and what do you like/dislike about it?
  3. What made you propose the above GSoC project?
  4. What past experience in this area do you have? Be as specific as possible, provide pointers for reference.
  5. Can you name some of the most difficult challenges that you had to cope with in your previous experience in this area?
  6. Why should the core developers of the given microkernel-based operating system assign the project to you?
  7. What do you think your involvement with the given microkernel-based operating system will look like after this year's Google Summer of Code is over?

Time Planning & Commitment

  1. Do you plan to do something else as a summer job besides working on your GSoC project?
  2. Do you plan to move to another place during the program?
  3. Will there be moments when you will not be able to work on your GSoC project?
  4. Will there be moments when you will not be able to communicate with your mentor?
  5. Please name any other factors that may have an impact on your performance and your commitment to your GSoC project.
  6. Are you aware that your GSoC project is an equivalent of a full-time job?
  7. How many hours per week do you plan to dedicate to your GSoC project?
  8. What factors usually motivate you to successfully finish an assignment (e.g. money, challenges, prestige, community, etc.)?
  9. What factors usually motivate you to be excellent in an assignment?

Team spirit

  1. Have you read our community guidelines?
  2. Do you identify yourself with the principles listed in our community guidelines and with the official rules set forth by the the given microkernel-based operating system you want to contribute to?
  3. In your opinion, what does an ideal interaction between a mentor and the student look like?
  4. In your opinion, what does an ideal interaction between the open source community and the student look like?