MOTUApplication
Contents |
Name |
Brian Thomason |
L.P. Page |
|
Wiki Page |
Brian Thomason |
Location |
McDonough, GA, USA |
Who I am
I first tried Linux back in around 1998 with the release of Red Hat 5.2, but actually started using Linux in 2000 with the release of Mandrake 7.1. I switched to Debian Potato in late 2000 and have been using Debian or derivatives ever since. I began work for Linspire (then Lindows) in 2003 as a member of the Services Team maintaining packages. In 2007 I began working for Canonical maintaining the technical side of the Canonical Partner Program.
Examples of my work / Things I'm proud of
LSongs
The now defunct music player that I did some work on at Linspire, so it held a special place in my heart. The package in Edgy (also now defunct, of course) was in a horrible state, so I fixed it up. I have since switched to Banshee and LSongs has died, but it was an early contribution I am proud to have made at the time.
Alfresco
Though in the Partner repository, where much of my work lies, the package is in decent shape and I am proud to have been involved creating the package and making it available to the Ubuntu community. I also now maintain the swftools package needed by Alfresco.
Asterisk
I contributed a patchset for a number of CVE related security fixes for the Asterisk package in Hardy, Intrepid, and Jaunty.
Openbravo
Another open source package I am happy to have helped create and make available to Ubuntu users through the Partner repository. This package still needs a lot of love as we convince vendors that updating via package management rather than through your own application actually benefits users. I consider this an "accomplishment in progress"
DEBShots
I am currently working with the debshots maintainer to add screenshot support for the Partner Repository as well as for PPA. We are also working to add an Ubuntu theme for use on screenshots.ubuntu.com.
Areas of work
As can be seen above, most of my work at Canonical and subsequently on Ubuntu lies in the Partner repository. However, I try to pitch in where I can and especially enjoy targeting packages that FTBFS.
Things I could do better
Organize my efforts better - especially in regards to interacting better with the community. While I have used F/OSS software for years, most of my involvement has come with a commercial element.
Plans for the future
General
- Improve existing and future free software offerings in Partner so that they may be moved into Universe
What I like least in Ubuntu
- I must say that the thing I like least about Ubuntu is also its strength - the release cycle. Having updates every 6 months brings in the latest and greatest software but also introduces new bugs and regressions.
Comments
If you'd like to comment, but are not the applicant or a sponsor, do it here. Don't forget to sign with @SIG@.
TEMPLATE
== <SPONSORS NAME> == === General feedback === ## Please fill us in on your shared experience. (How many packages did you sponsor? How would you judge the quality? How would you describe the improvements? Do you trust the applicant?) === Specific Experiences of working together === ''Please add good examples of your work together, but also cases that could have handled better.'' === Areas of Improvement ===