[maemo-community] Developer devices & karma (was Re: Sprint task: Refine the karma system)

[From: Quim Gil]

Hi,

ext Ryan Abel wrote:
> A karma system is never going to be perfect (heck, it's unlikely to  
> even be GOOD) at measuring useful contribution. Which is, of course,  
> why it shouldn't be used as the sole decider in any situation (that it  
> was used as the sole decider for the DDP program was very unfortunate,  
> although I can understand how much time it saved).

Let's put this karma use for developer devices in its context:

- First there were a handful of handpicked developers chosen by Nokia
with the assistance of the community (Fremantle Stars discussion +
questions to the council).

- Then there were 300 devices loaned in the Maemo Summit.

- Then the DDP for maemo.org contributors with >200 karma.

- Now we will start with
http://wiki.maemo.org/Fremantle_Developer_Device_Queue since I finally
got devices (and got myself back from holidays).  :)

- There are also Forum Nokia activities were more device loans are
involved locally: Copenhagen, BCN Long Weekend, other might come.

Based on the experience I think in Harmattan it will be done slightly
difference, avoiding NDAs completely and providing hardware to the most
interesting / active projects at each stage. Karma will still help but
as the side element that must be and not as a primary rule.

Still karma is relevant for other things like e.g. getting sponsored to
events, becoming a betatester of unreleased software etc. The specific
karma (e.g. bugs filed/commented) might become more and more relevant to
help organizing focused activities (e.g. wiki karma for a documentation
hackfest).

-- 
Quim Gil
open source advocate
Maemo Devices @ Nokia