I, Bilal Akhtar, apply for universe-contributor.

Who I am

I am a high-school student greatly interested in Ubuntu and its development. I am an Indian national, yet I live in Saudi Arabia. Began programming at the age of 9 and gave up gaming at that age as well. Right now, I am 14 years old. Began Ubuntu development work 8 months ago, with packaging learning.

My Ubuntu story

I began using Ubuntu in late 2007, with Gutsy. Have tried Hardy, Intrepid, Jaunty, Karmic, Lucid and Maverick. I first heard about Ubuntu in early 2007 in a PC World magazine. Installed it when my cousin brother suggested "It will be good for you and your slow computer". I was surprised to see so cool desktop effects on my slow Pentium 4 computer. Got interested in Ubuntu development. Began translating, then bug reporting, then bug fixing (now from the last 6 months)!.

My involvement

I am involved in Ubuntu Packaging and Development (of course). Apart from that, I am involved in the Saudi Arabia LoCo Team, Translations, Ubuntu Technical Answers on Launchpad, bug triaging, etc. In other words, this application doubles up as a membership application.

Examples of my work / Things I'm proud of

I have done the following merges:

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/595450

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/609697

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/596279

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/595398

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/601865

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/602564

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/602686

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/605350

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/603595

Syncs:

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/606610

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/595635

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/610024

Bug fixes:

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/465967 (forwarded to Debian)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/480661 (forwarded upstream)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/325288 (forwarded to Debian and upstream)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/606212 (no need to forward)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/550955 (accepted upstream)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/155930 (accepted upstream)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/585892 (accepted upstream)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/492825 (accepted upstream)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/599799 (no need to forward)

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/569289 (forwarded upstream)

New packages:

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/551702

Package upgrades:

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/606870

Bug fixes still waiting in sponsor queue:

• https://edge.launchpad.net/bugs/545596

Apart from Ubuntu, I am the upstream developer of GNOME Media Player and qstream.

Things I could do better

I have never worked on SRUs so that is a place where I have scope for improvement.

Plans for the future

General

I want to fix more and more papercuts and other bugs. Many trivial bugs are neglected and never fixed, even after years. I would dedicate myself to fix these bugs.

What I like least in Ubuntu

Ubuntu is awesome! Just like what I mentioned above, I would fix trivial bugs. These hard-to-notice bugs do spoil user experience.

Also, REVU and needs-packaging bugs are always neglected. This is something I don't like in Ubuntu. I have 4 packages awaiting sponsorship in REVU.

Comments

If you'd like to comment, but are not the applicant or a sponsor, do it here. Don't forget to sign with @SIG@.

Bilal is doing great work with gnome media player but needs to be a bit more careful while handling merges as I have seen reviewing his patches. apart from that he is a great ubuntu enthusiast but needs to slow down a bit to produce even better work --Bhavani Shankar

Endorsements

As a sponsor, just copy the template below, fill it out and add it to this section.

Daniel Holbach (dholbach)

General feedback

I think Bilal would make a fine Contributing Developer. Good work overall, very active.

Specific Experiences of working together

• https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mnemosyne/+bug/602564 (also fixed https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mnemosyne/+bug/465967) (merge+bugfix)

• https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mimms/+bug/595635 (merge → sync because of unnecessary changes)

Areas of Improvement

More experience, which is something Bilal is actively working on.

Stefano Rivera (stefanor/tumbleweed)

General feedback

I've sponsored a few uploads, most required a few rounds of review, but his work is good. While I've only sponsored a few packages, I think the membership badge is deserved.

Specific Experiences of working together

• https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gpsdrive/+bug/325288 (bug fix)

• https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mimms/+bug/595635 (merge, became sync)

• https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/krename/+bug/601865 (merge)

• https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/selinux-basics/+bug/603595 (merge)

• https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/pysdm/+bug/606212 (papercut)

• https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/uswsusp/+bug/604910 (sync, became merge, was rejected, pending merge again)

Areas of Improvement

Experience, will come with time.

Michael Vogt (mvo)

General feedback

I've merged two of his branches. Both required a little bit of changes, but both times the idea and and way to attack the problem were right, just details that needed additional attention. I think he will make a good developer and I would recommend using code-review/peer-review to gather experience.

Specific Experiences of working together

https://code.launchpad.net/~bilalakhtar/ubuntu/maverick/software-center/papercut-fix-550955 https://code.launchpad.net/~bilalakhtar/ubuntu/maverick/synaptic/papercut-fix-155930

Areas of Improvement

I can just repreat what the others wrote, experience will come with time and faster by seeking review/feedback/advice on more difficult patches/merges (something that Bilal is doing already).

TEMPLATE

== <SPONSORS NAME> ==
=== General feedback ===
## Please fill us in on your shared experience. (How many packages did you sponsor? How would you judge the quality? How would you describe the improvements? Do you trust the applicant?)

=== Specific Experiences of working together ===
''Please add good examples of your work together, but also cases that could have handled better.''
=== Areas of Improvement ===

CategoryUniverseContributorApplication