UbuntuWomen

UbuntuWomen is a group functioning under Ubuntu to provide a platform and encouragement for women to contribute to Ubuntu-Linux, a free and open-source GNU/Linux software. Primarily, it aims to create a space for Women who want to be involved in different areas like technical translation, coding, bug triaging, testing, etc.. under the aegis of Ubuntu-devel to finally blend with the main Ubuntu-Linux team. Membership is open to ALL.

What will a separate Women's group accomplish ?

* Create a pool of women developers who can write code and help develop software for Ubuntu.

* Busy upstream developers or package owners may not have time or inclination to mentor women newbies. UbuntuWomen members can liason/redirect them to the appropriate person to be contacted.

* It will help women newcomers discuss application development, testing, and bug triaging via mailing lists and redirect them, answer questions, provide information when required.

* Programming is highly development-oriented and the vagaries of each distro in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLOSS FLOSS] makes it even more difficult in terms of identifying a problem in "X" application, and knowing how to 'fix' it.

* Sometimes you may know or have a vague idea of the packages (the dependency hell, ...) but are still unsure which source files can be modified or how it may affect other applications.

* The code of conduct already being followed at Ubuntu will make it easier for interested women to join and not fear of being flamed or ridiculed for asking so-called silly questions.

Goals of Ubuntu-Women project

* Increase the diversity ratio by creating an atmosphere for women to communicate openly and share their Ubuntu experiences, problems and how they overcame those to achieve their goals.

* Its main role will be along the lines of supplementing and being the stepping stone toward the larger Ubuntu-Linux world.

* Encourage women to participate and learn to create new FLOSS software (or revamp existing ones) and not just restrict their skills to using GNU/Linux software.

* Transcend the technical barrier which will empower women to create new software and think out-of-the-box.

* Provide a platform for a mentee to learn new technical skills resulting in more effective contribution to Ubuntu.

* Encourage and increase the participation of women using Ubuntu-Linux in a country specific manner by sponsoring their talks at local universities, LUG's and schools which will encourage others to join.

* Discuss, collaborate and find solutions to any issues regarding all of the above.

Mentors

"Each-One-Teach-One" : Potential mentors are the role models who will share their professional knowledge and technical expertise while directly interacting with the new entrant/s. To be a part of the Mentor team please list yourself on their [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWomenMentors Wiki page].

Contributing @ Ubuntu : How can I help / join this team ?

We now have an [https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-women Ubuntu-Women mailing list]. Join us to use this space to discuss, post technical questions and share your ideas for new projects with the [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWomenMentors Ubuntu Mentors] or contribute to existing technical projects as per your interest.

Join the Ubuntu Women support and discussion IRC channel: #ubuntu-women on chat.freenode.net or talk to us at the [http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=76 Ubuntu Women subsection] of ubuntuforums.

Create an account for yourself in Launchpad (use the link) and a Wiki. Then, get familiar with the various tools like Rosetta, Malone and you have started out.

If you are a programmer and want to start testing, coding or maintain packages join the appropriate Mailing-Lists set up for those. An IRC channel, #ubuntu-motu-school is available for those interested in maintaining packages, testing or any other software development task. You can also subscribe to the [http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-motu Ubuntu-MOTU mailing-list]

Ubuntu-Linux has a wide range of opportunities to choose from :

[https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RosettaFAQ UbuntuRosetta] (translation)

[https://bugzilla.ubuntu.com/ UbuntuBugs]

[http://planet.ubuntu.com/ UbuntuPlanet] (Ubuntu member blogs)

[https://launchpad.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu Launchpad]

[http://ubuntuforums.org/ Ubuntu Forums]

[https://launchpad.net/people/ubuntu-doc Documentation Teams]

External Resources

UbuntuWomenFAQs: http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/UbuntuWomenFAQs

[http://women.alioth.debian.org Debian-Women]

[http://www.linuxchix.org LinuxChix]

WomenInUbuntu BOF notes from Ubuntu Mataro [Conference]

[http://www.faqs.org/docs/Linux-HOWTO/Encourage-Women-Linux-HOWTO.html HowTo Encourage Women in Linux]

What Ubuntu-Women is not !

* UbuntuWomen is not about segregation, rather its goal would be to integrate women as equals within the mainstream development of UbuntuLinux. Remember, membership is open to ALL.

CategoryUbuntuTeams ["CategoryMOTU"]