New Video: How to be successful with Google Sumer of Code

This video is from a Google Summer of Code information session held at the University of Toronto. The event was a panel discussion involving panelists from 6 open source communities including:

• Austin Ziegler - Ruby
• Diego Novillo - Google
• Blake Winton - DrProject
• Nelson Ko - TikiWiki
• Behdad Esfahbod - GNOME Foundation
• Andrew Ross - Ingres

The panel had excellent advice and wisdom to share with interns. Some of the key points include:

• Communication is key to your successs. Be responsive to questions and interact with your mentors OFTEN.
• Establish a relationship with project team members. This is typically done by communicating in IRC/Email or attending community events.
• NEVER copy and past the project ideas as is from the web site. Make the idea your own by being specific, providing a timeline, and interacting ahead of time by asking questions to define a realistic scope
• Pick an appropriate project you can realistically accomplish. This may involve engaging the community to help you scope it.
• Remember - you're not qualified... that's the point. So use the opportunity to learn and get a great experience.

The deadline to apply is 19:00 UTC Friday April 3rd. Good luck!

Here is a video of the panel discussion:

Google Summer of Code panel discussion from Andrew Ross on Vimeo.