Michał Karnicki

Contact information

• Your Name: Michał Karnicki

• Email Address: mkarnicki at gmail.com

• IRC nickname: mkarnicki (join #u1forandroid for discussion)

• Launchpad ID: mkarnicki

• Skype username: michalkar

• Webpage/blog: no blog yet (rather ascetic institute page http://users.pjwstk.edu.pl/~s6515/ )

• College-University: Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology (Warsaw, Poland)

• Major: Computer Science

Project

Project Name

Ubuntu One client for Android

Project Description

(See feature specs for details ¹)
The project intends to extend the scope of use of Ubuntu One to Android powered devices (let's call them Apd's). This application would enable Ubuntu users, who own an Apd not only to access their files in the cloud, but also share experience on the spot. Just a few possible scenarios:

Each time Tom makes a picture with his Apd, it appears on his computer (naturally, on whatever connection he prefers, wifi preferably, slower connections might not be suitable). He's a clumsy guy, and often forgets to take the USB cable with him, so he also prefers to manage music on his Apd through Ubuntu One.

Viki makes a picture using her Apd, goes to Menu, taps Share, and selects 'Ubuntu One'. She then can e-mail or tweet (or use otherwise) a public link to that file easily.

Tom wants to collaborate on a document of his friend Mark, but Marks computer isn't connected to the Internet. Tom plugs a usb cable, downloads the file, uses any file browser to Share with 'Ubuntu One' - and has his file available on his PC anytime he's back home to start working on it.

Kim made some notes on her laptop last night, but forgot to take it with her the next day. No worries, the file was in her Ubuntu One folder, so she can access it any time with her Apd.

Ben has almost full SD memory card in his phone - so he manually selects a few files for download whenever he's in range of wifi network (he may choose to use his Mobile Network, as his current plan is a good deal, anyway!)

If you would be willing and able to do other projects instead, which ones?

I envision many possible improvements in Nautilus, so it'd be 'Nautilus improvements'. However, I'm doing my best to prepare for this particular project, which is my own proposal - and would therefore appreciate, if Ubuntu would acknowledge it's importance and positive impact on Ubuntu One and Ubuntu itself.

Why did you like this idea?

I'm both a lover of Ubuntu and an enthusiastic user of Android. This idea is the golden mean between two things I really enjoy to interact with, both on user and developer level. What is really exciting for me is that at the same time I can contribute to Ubuntu, extend functionality that U1 provides, join the honorable Ubuntu developers circle, and explore new areas of interest in the ins and outs of Android platform.

Also, I have found positive feedback of these stimulating:
[1] brainstorm Idea #19912 ²
[2] Bug #468114³
[3] ubuntuforums thread⁴
[4] yet another thead - poll⁵

Please describe a tentative project architecture or an approach to it

This is yet to be discussed with my mentor. I may expect that there will be much in common with ubuntuone-client, however on other platform, framework, and possibly differences in approach to file syncing, also see next section.

Give us details about the milestones for this project

Discussion in progress.
See feature specs ¹

Why will your proposal benefit Ubuntu?

It will extend the reach of U1, and hopefully be just the first step in friendship of Ubuntu operating system and mobile devices (apart from UNR, it'd be phones, that is). Apart from the Ubuntu One functionality, there are many more projects that would be fun to develop, like a remote for presentations or simple remote tasks on ubuntu box/server/cloud machine stats/etc. It would be pure fun to carry my Ubuntu in my pocket everywhere, while the computer itself is still at home/work. Right now - you have ssh client (or vnc on ultra small screen = bad), and that would be it, nothing more. So let's do more!

Open Source

Please describe any previous Open Source development experience

I haven't released much Open Source yet I wanted to let free an execution environment for pseudo assembler machine MARIE, but didn't have time to polish it (but it is fast!! Thousands times faster than Java app we were supposed to use). I've dug into Nautilus a bit, also planned to implement application similar to Windows' Mobility Center.

As this section is the only suitable, I'll let myself continue on the overall programming experience. I'm much into algorithms, I started with Pascal and immediately transitioned to C, followed by C++ and Java. I have used GTK+ quite much. I'm a board member of [5] Error 501⁶ Interest Group at PJIIT, actively involved in leading algorithm-oriented trainings. I've been delegated from PJIIT to programming contests. Apart from that, I know PHP, SQL, XML, ASP, jQuery, etc - however these would be of small if any use in that project.

Why are you interested in Open Source?

For me, Open Source has always been an Utopia - but one thing different, it exists! And it should continue to exist and grow in potential and possibilities. I love the idea that anyone can take the source and change it to his/her needs, no limitations whatsoever! Icon's don't align as you like? apg-get source nautilus and fix it. Something broke? Inspect why, and help out others. No waiting for the patch, because you can't fix it yourself. Open Source not only provides good quality thanks to thousands of developers, Open Source gives you freedom and the power to act and do things better!

I have used GNU/Linux over 8 years I think, more than half spent on Ubuntu. And I owe it

Availability

How long will the project take? When can you begin?

Sensible subset of features decided upon with my mentor should make the project fit the given time frame

How much time do you expect to dedicate to this project? (weekly)

Up to 22hrs during academic year, 30hrs daily during holiday (Space-time continuum bending. Seriously - I can't imagine a better work and hobby at the same time.)

Where will you based during the summer?

Mainly my hometown Slupsk, possibly Warsaw. Both locations with suitable-to-high bandwith connection and a full fridge.

Do you have any commitments for the summer? (holidays/work/summer courses)

Maintain excitement and positive state of mind! (I have resigned from shortened holiday Erasmus exchange.)

Please designate a back up student (in case you need to withdraw your application)

I utterly doubt anything like that could happen. Should this (uber impossible) happen, I would find a friend of mine.

Other

Have you ever participated in a previous GSoC? (describe your project)

No, I haven't.

Have you applied for any other 2010 Summer of Code projects? If yes, which ones?

No, I haven't.

Why did you apply for the Google Summer of Code ?

Possibility to engage in Open Source development community, great way to make contribution to Ubuntu and tackle Android platform at the same time. For me, the cash incentive is not as important as working for Canonical and, in a way, Google at the same time. This is an ultimate possibility, and I'd really want to make it happen.

Why did you choose Ubuntu as a mentoring organisation?

I have been a happy user of Ubuntu for more than 4 years, and I have been waiting long (due to me being active at the institute) to contribute and give back to the community and the operating system itself. I use Ubuntu daily for hours to both work - study or code that is, and entertain (the latter if the day happens to have more than 24 hours). I have enjoyed to follow the devel lists and watch the community collaborate, and now I want to make my share.

Why do you want to participate and why should Ubuntu choose you?

I'm very excited about writing this project and will commit the time and energy required to make it successful. I had the pleasure to talk to 3 members of Ubuntu One team, each of them equally enthusiastic and supporting the idea. I hope this wiki page reflects well my true intentions. If you have read this from the top, you know I deserve the chance to convert my passion and excitement into code !

Thanks for reading this never-ending report. If you have any thoughts or ideas you'd like to share, please leave them below or send me an email. Cheers!