Debconf7 BoF Session?

[Philip Hands]

Hi,

I'd like to introduce Paul Adams of SiriusIT -- he's currently involved in
a European Commission funded project (called SQO-OSS) that's looking into
methods for mining various forms of data associated with Free Software, and
so deriving metrics that could be used to judge the quality of the software
(I think that sums it up -- Paul, please feel free to flesh that out).

Here's their web site: http://www.sqo-oss.eu/about

At present they've mostly been using KDE as their data source, but would be
interested in working with Debian as a data source, but also would be keen
to help Debian run the tools that they are creating if that's deemed
appropriate -- It strikes me that this could act as a more general version
of running Linda/Lintian on packages.

The current fly in the ointment is that their tools are written in Java,
but what with most of Java being GPLed recently, and also the SQO-OSS
project's intent to do what's needed to comply with DFSG, they should be
packagable in contrib right now, and in main in the not too distant future.

Paul will be attending DebConf7 and would like to get together for a BoF,
and/or a series of informal chats, so I was wondering who from QA will be
there, and what you already had planned in the way of BoFs.

Cheers, Phil.

[Paul Adams]

Hi everyone,

Post by Philip Hands
I'd like to introduce Paul Adams of SiriusIT

It's nice to meet you all!

Post by Philip Hands
-- he's currently involved in
a European Commission funded project (called SQO-OSS) that's looking into
methods for mining various forms of data associated with Free Software, and
so deriving metrics that could be used to judge the quality of the software
(I think that sums it up -- Paul, please feel free to flesh that out).

This sums it up very well and certainly enough to start with. We are
mainly looking at code, CVS/SVN metadata, bugzilla and mailing list
archives. The system is designed to be plugin-based and as a result QA
teams would be able to measure all sorts of metrics against all sorts
of data sources.

Post by Philip Hands
At present they've mostly been using KDE as their data source, but would be
interested in working with Debian as a data source, but also would be keen
to help Debian run the tools

Yes. For example, you could measure the quality of the packages
against the upstream version in order to identify what's good/bad
about the processes being followed by package maintainers.

Post by Philip Hands
Paul will be attending DebConf7 and would like to get together for a BoF,
and/or a series of informal chats, so I was wondering who from QA will be
there, and what you already had planned in the way of BoFs.

This would be an excellent way for you to learn more about the
project, what we're currently up to and what the possibilities for
SQO-OSS within Debian are.

I look forward to seeing you in Edinburgh.


All the best,
Paul

[Amaya]

Hi Paul,

Post by Paul Adams

Post by Philip Hands
a European Commission funded project (called SQO-OSS) that's looking
into methods for mining various forms of data associated with Free
Software, and so deriving metrics that could be used to judge the
quality of the software (I think that sums it up -- Paul, please
feel free to flesh that out).

This sums it up very well and certainly enough to start with. We are
mainly looking at code, CVS/SVN metadata, bugzilla and mailing list
archives. The system is designed to be plugin-based and as a result QA
teams would be able to measure all sorts of metrics against all sorts
of data sources.

A similkar project, with probably different goals, is being carried out
in Madrid, Spain. See http://libresoft.urjc.es/

Post by Paul Adams
From their home page: "The main research topic at the Universidad Rey

Juan Carlos is the quantitative measurement of libre software
development patterns and characteristics in order to gain knowledge on
the process, mainly by studying the different agents that participate in
it, the use of the different development and development-supporting
tools as well as the methods that have been followed"

They have published different papers (that I helped translate into
English) and have an impressive set of tools to achieve the task. I
would be happy to get you in touch with the researchers, should you be
interested.

Post by Paul Adams
Yes. For example, you could measure the quality of the packages
against the upstream version in order to identify what's good/bad
about the processes being followed by package maintainers.

That sounds helpful.

Looking forward to meeting you at Debconf!
--
·''`. If I can't dance to it, it's not my revolution
: :' : -- Emma Goldman
`. `' Proudly running Debian GNU/Linux (unstable)
`- www.amayita.com www.malapecora.com www.chicasduras.com

[Paul Adams]

Hi,

Post by Amaya
A similkar project, with probably different goals, is being carried out
in Madrid, Spain. See http://libresoft.urjc.es/

Yes, I know Jesus, his team and their work at URJC well. Although
their work is related they are not participating in the SQO-OSS
project. They are, however, involved with other EC Free Software
quality projects: FlossMetrics and Qualoss. The SQO-OSS project has
been collaborating with these other projects where it makes sense. I
worked with them in an earlier project, "CALIBRE".

Info on all of these can be found at:
http://www.flossquality.eu (work in progress)
http://www.calibre.ie

Post by Amaya
That sounds helpful.

I'm glad you think so. The system could be used for whatever QA work
you had in mind though. I'm keen to establish what the Debian QA team
might use the final system for (if at all) and how the project can
help you achieve that.

Post by Amaya
Looking forward to meeting you at Debconf!

Likewise :)


All the best,
Paul