Interview with the Ark Linux Developers (English Version)

Q6: WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW TO BECOME A DEVELOPER? WHAT TECHNOLOGY IS ARK BASED ON?

saint: I'll let the others answer this... they seem keen to "get their teeth" into this question! I will say this - bring your enthusiasm, energy and excitement! Let's challenge the norm and make a difference.

boris: The majority of our development is done in C++ using Qt/KDE. However, you don't need to be a C++ expert to get involved. We have many projects for people to "get their feet wet" with C++, and we're always happy to help new developers. Any experience with PHP, Perl, C, scripting is also useful. If you want to become an application developer, we would recommend familiarisation with OO design principles. Ark Linux is originally based on RH 7.2, with additions from RH 8, RH 9 and MDK. We use RPM with apt for package management with KDE as the only included desktop (although we provide GTK libraries for compatibility with GTK apps).

bero: You don't need to have detailed knowledge of everything to join in - even a oneliner is often valuable. Since Ark Linux is mostly built around Qt/KDE and C++ and we like clear OO API design, skills in these are probably most useful, but we can always use great scripts, kernel code, website contributions, packaging (we use rpm), assistance answering people's questions on the mailing lists and IRC, and many other things - everyone can be useful.

piffio: The main area is C++ development into the Qt/KDE environment. We still need some configuration tools and custom applications that should integrate perfectly into the Ark Linux Desktop (KDE). Also packaging work often requires C/scripting knowledge.

deux: For application development, C++ and Qt. For web development, PHP, MySQL, HTML, Javascript. For documentation, preferably docbook knowledge. But of course you can help out by writing any help article, or taking screenshots. And even if you think you don't have any of those skills mentioned above, you are always welcome in the #arklinux@irc.freenode.net to tell us what we can do to make Ark Linux better for everyone.

rei_0000: Ark is primarily a KDE distribution, so if you know KDE and C++, that will help you alot. However, if you're a low-level, kernel or CLI kind of person, then C and scripting is a must.

Q7: WHAT SUBPROJECTS ARE THERE CURRENTLY GOING ON WITHIN ARK LINUX?

saint: There's more to Ark Linux than just throwing a few packages together. Creating a well polished, comprehensive and integrated Operating System offering takes serious effort. Sub-projects I can think of currently include:

Packaging - Where would we be without building and packaging all that great software?
QA Testing - Bug fixing, triage, escalation to relevant community projects/groups
Release Management - Somebody needs to keep things under control
Installer - An improved installer with networking, scripting and advanced user support
Documentation - Creating documentation/manuals for Ark Linux
Configuration Tools - Creation and improvement of networking tools, system configuration, etc.
Internationalisation - The more languages, countries and cultures we can support, the better.
Flash Player - Our Open Sour ce Flash player
Video Conference - Our Qt-based video conferencing application
Faster Bootup - Improving boot up times for AL
Hardware Detection - We all want our hardware to be auto-detected, if possible
Hardware Database - We want to know what works
Web Site - Broadcasting to the world, 24x7 - focus on design, content and graphics
Customer Assistance - Helping our users get the answers they need

boris: We have lots of projects in the pipeline; in the near future (alpha 9) these will be focussed around installation and bootup, and also configuration tools. We would also like to work on user interface improvements to existing applications. Additionally, there are improvements to be made to videoconference, updating to be done to the open source flash player, package management tools... the list is endless! All of our projects sit in CVS, so anyone who wants to get involved can browse our CVS repository, or jump on IRC to talk to one of us.

bero: There are many projects going on at the moment. Other than the usual bugfixing and package maintenance, we're planning to add an advanced mode to the installer for experienced users (while retaining the simple installer for "normal" people as the default), we're improving the bootup process, we're improving hardware detection, and we'll be adding an easy to use system for user contributed extra software.

piffio: At the moment we are about to start and realize a lot of improvements/subprojects. There is a work in progress on config tools. We are interested in an advanced installer version as well (an installer targeted for the power user, where you can customize almost every aspect of the installation) and we keep improving the actual installer code with better hardware detection routines.

deux: We have a lot of sub projects going on, better hardware detection, speedy init, documentation, web development, advanced installer, mission control, config tools, and there are a lot more... so come and help us, we can always find something to fit you in.

rei_0000: Well, besides releasing a8, there are a number of new ideas that are being worked on at the moment. For instance, Marc has been working feverously on a faster and better solution for hardware detection and I have been working on a new initscript design to speed the boot and power down up dramatically