[Ns-developers] GSoC Reminders

[Joseph Kopena]

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that GSoC proposals are due tomorrow (Friday), April
3, 12 noon PDT/19:00 UTC.  We encourage everyone to file their
proposal as soon as possible.  You may continue to modify it up until
the deadline, and it is definitely safer to get it in there and revise
rather than potentially face a problem at the last minute.  As a
bonus, proposals submitted before the deadline get early feedback from
mentors and are able to address any issues before the final cutoff.


Also, three key points again on what we're looking for:

- Reasonably detailed technical approach.  Key here is demonstrating
  some familiarity with ns-3, having looked into it enough to figure
  out what components and connections you will have to work with to
  implement your project.  For some topics you should also point to
  literature and/or existing implementations that you may draw from.
  Note that the exact approach may not be exactly what you wind up
  implementing.  The first part of every project will be discussing in
  much further detail with the mentors exactly how to accomplish the
  project's goals.  It's also worth noting that some of the mentors
  have posted reasonably tough technical questions to some of the
  proposals.  In most cases this is actually a good sign, it means
  there was enough content in the proposal to have a solid discussion.
  We also expect those discussions to continue and form the bulk of
  the early phases of each project.

- Feasible, reasonably detailed workplan.  A plan along the lines of
  "2 weeks reading, 2 months coding" is not actually a plan.  Good
  proposals will include a workplan that breaks down the overall
  project into a series of smaller subgoals associated with components
  or features.  That makes it much easier to estimate time required,
  assess realistic feasibility, track progress, and hit the summer
  with a ready plan.  Note that this schedule is not necessarily
  exactly what you'll be held to---accepted students will discuss this
  further with their mentor once the project begins---but we're
  looking for proposals where some time has been spent on planning,
  and for students capable and organized enough to do this sort of
  self-directed project management.

- Full time commitment.  GSoC is intended for students available full
  time (40 hours/week) throughout the duration of the program.  With
  so many good applicants there is no reason in any case to take on
  students not able to commit as much time to the project.  We would
  love for all interested parties to become involved in using and
  contributing to ns-3, but the GSoC program is only for those
  committing to it just like any other full time position.


The applications received so far have been generally pretty solid, so
keep them coming.  I'd also like to really thank our mentors for
already putting so much time and energy in reviewing the proposals and
providing feedback to the applicants!

Thx

-- 
- joe kopena
right here and now