I, أحمد المحمودي (Ahmed El-Mahmoudy), apply for universe-contributor.

Who I am

I am a digital design engineer.

My Ubuntu story

My involvement

I've been using Linux since 1999, started with Redhat 5.1. Then I tried Debian (I think it was 2.1) in 2000, I was really fascinated with Debian, but then it was too hard for me to use (I recall the setup took me hours). Then I moved on to Mandriva (it was called Mandrake before). My first experience with Ubuntu was in 2006 using Breezy. I really like the fact that it's based on Debian with its very rich repository, and yet it is easy to use. I was fascinated that my wifi just worked ! This encouraged me to participate in Ubuntu (& Debian) to make them even better !

Examples of my work / Things I'm proud of

• I think my first contribution to Ubuntu was adding a nonkde variant of kchmviewer

• Syncing swt-gtk from Debian.

• Added DKMS support to sl-modem.

• Migrating patch system for sl-modem to quilt, the hard part was splitting the different patches, which made me track the history of sl-modem.

Areas of work

I generally focus my contributions on package maintenance, as well as the introduction of new packages. I attempt to fix bugs that affect me, as well as bugs of the packages I maintain. A list of packages I have introduced and/or currently maintaining in Debian and Ubuntu can be found in Launchpad and Debian QA.

I also work on Sabily which is a derivative distribution from Ubuntu.

Recently I joined the Debian Science team, where I helped with the first release of ng-spice-rework, and host the packaging work for tkgate & herb (not released yet) packages.

Things I could do better

Plans for the future

General

• Short term:

  • Getting some new packages into Debian (& hence Ubuntu): noor, thwab, hijra, dico

  • Pushing some updated packages into Debian (& hence Ubuntu): libitl, itools, fribidi

  • Continue to maintain packages related to electronics.
• Long term:
  • Better support for Hijri calendar system (see below)

  • Better support for Uthmani script (script used in writing Qur'an), actually I've added a blueprint about this.

  • Better arabic support for the console.

What I like least in Ubuntu

There is no support for non-solar-based calendars. There is no support for lunar-based calendars (Hijri) for example. I think that this has to be done down in glibc. I have started a blueprint regarding this matter.

Comments

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Endorsements

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Mario Limonciello

General feedback

I've only sponsored one package, sl-modem as it used DKMS. Ahmed did a good job implementing it, and working between Ubuntu and Debian for this package.

He was sure to fix and recommendations/problems that came up.

Barry deFreese

General feedback

I have worked with Ahmed on a few occasions. His work always seems consistent to me and he is quick to resolve issues.

Specific Experiences of working together

Starting with his work on tkgate we got the package updated. Recently I have sponsored uploads for him for sl-modem in Debian. I am also working on reviewing Sabily for him. I have no reservations recommending him for a Universe Contributor.

LI Daobing

General feedback

I sponsored the dico package as a Debian Developer. the packaging is clean and the response is very quick on my comments.

ScottKitterman

General feedback

I believe (but am not entirely certain) that I have only sponsored the former UbuntuME, now called Sabily, artwork and metapckages. We've been through more than one release cycle working on getting these updated and into the archives and he alway produced technically correct packages and was a pleasure to deal with. I appreciate the extra effort it took to bring their work into our archive and am highly supportive of this. I am definitely in favor of him as a Universe contributor.

Specific Experiences of working together

In addition to the packaging experiences, he also asked me for advice on how to deal with these meta packages and artwork packages due to the requirement to rename their distribution to comply with Canonical's Trademark policy for the Ubuntu name. We had a good discussion and he ended up following my advice. He also recently discussed some concerns he had with some wording in the Ubuntu CoC. I appreciate him coming forward and helping bring attention to an issue that may be limiting our ability to be as inclusive as Ubuntu should be.

Areas of Improvement

It'd be good to see more volume, but I don't recall any problems with the interactions we've had.

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