I myself have been wanting to contribute and haven't found a good clear "here's what you can do, step by step." This is a good guide to go by, if this is what it takes to give a helping hand. I've been pointed to the wiki a lot, but it is a bit too generic when it comes to actually helping out with the OS core itself.
Thanks for this.
On Thu, Jan 6, 2011 at 3:05 AM, . fp@kraptastic.com wrote:
Hello Centos-devel.
As an outsider looking in, I have found that it is .. Not simple to find out what needs doing. I _think_ I am on the right track, but would like to be corrected if not. Here is what I have come up with from reading forums/mailing lists/irc. I hope someone can throw the below on the wiki somewhere appropriate once corrected. If I am way off, please let me know I would like to get started.
How to help with Centos 6:
Currently Centos 6 needs help re-branding RHEL6 as Centos 6. This is relatively easy to do if you know how to build RPMS, and make patch files.
Step 1: Go here: http://wiki.centos.org/QaWiki/6/AuditStatus
This is a list of what issues still need to be fixed.
Step 2: Pick something that looks fun (and perhaps easy), and click the bug id ('bid' column) This will take you to the mantis bug tracker page.
Step 3: *Optional* If you are pretty sure you can fix this problem and don't want someone else re-inventing the wheel with you, Signup for a new account with bugs.centos.org , and let people know you are going to work on this. Don't worry about doing this if you are not sure you can do it. If you want to just try, skip this step.
Step 4: Find the package name
The "Category" of the bug you picked should have a package name in it, this is the package we are going to need to download and fix. If my example category was: '[CentOS-6] xulrunner' then I would be patching the xulrunner package.
Step 5: Download the package
http://ftp.redhat.com/redhat/linux/enterprise/6Server/en/os/SRPMS/(mypackage...
ie: http://ftp.redhat.com/redhat/linux/enterprise/6Server/en/os/SRPMS/xulrunner-...
Step 6: Fix the package
The issues should already be laid out for you in the description of the mantis bug tracker. Modify the files, and rebuild the RPM. Once you think you have fixed everything, create a patch file. Test your patch file on a fresh install.
Need icons / images? Find them on a centos 5.x box.
Do you have to do this from a RHEL6 beta installation? No you don't _have_ to. We are after the patch, not your RPMS.
Step 7: If you haven't created an account at bugs.centos.org, now is the time. Create an account and attach your patch file.
Step 8: Give the nearest person a high-five and then go to Step 1.
CentOS-devel mailing list CentOS-devel@centos.org http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos-devel