Topic: How to contrib?

[compdoc]

I'm planning to submit a contrib, and have a few questions...

When a contrib requires files to be downloaded, is there a public server that users can d/l them from, or does the person contributing need to provide an ftp server?

If there are several files, is an rpm a better way to package them, or is a compressed file ok?

If someone started a contrib and wrote a few scripts, but then abandoned the contrib, can someone else modify the code and continue the contrib?

Thanks for any info...

[byte]

I'm planning to submit a contrib, and have a few questions...

Can I ask what contrib?

When a contrib requires files to be downloaded, is there a public server that users can d/l them from, or does the person contributing need to provide an ftp server?

I believe if you contact staff [at] contribs[dot]org they should be able to provide you with a contrib directory which you could store there.

If there are several files, is an rpm a better way to package them, or is a compressed file ok?

If you know how to build an rpm that would be better for the novice, for the advanced a tar file would be ok.

If someone started a contrib and wrote a few scripts, but then abandoned the contrib, can someone else modify the code and continue the contrib?

You should be able to but check gpl licence and make contact with them.

[cjensen]

I'm planning to submit a contrib, and have a few questions...

When a contrib requires files to be downloaded, is there a public server that users can d/l them from, or does the person contributing need to provide an ftp server?

Your preference really.  You 'can' keep them at contribs after getting an ftp login, or at your oun domain.  Depends on the contrib, how much control over versions you want (quickly, in case you faind a glitch you missed in the files you juse uploaded ), and 'your preference'.

If there are several files, is an rpm a better way to package them, or is a compressed file ok?

Again, depends on the contrib.  You will see many of either type available.  IMO a doc describing any installation steps, etc is what makes it most useful, whether RPM or otherwise.

If someone started a contrib and wrote a few scripts, but then abandoned the contrib, can someone else modify the code and continue the contrib?

Check the changelogs of any number of available contribs and you will find multiple authors.  However, it is up to you to know the license by which the contrib was offered.  It is also up to you and probably a good idea to contact the author (maybe offering a patch is the best in some cases) for permission and to compare notes before proceeding.



Craig

[compdoc]

Thanks for the replies.

It's not really so much a contrib as a post by d_gerst in this forum:

http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=33350.0

His scripts had bugs, but they can be made to work. And being written in bash shell script, I can understand & modify them.

But he's disappeared - his website is gone.

[compdoc]

I finally finished the contrib. Since the last post, Ive been to California, then asked to build a VPN between Denver and Las Vegas, so it hasnt had my full attention till now.

Its a directory containing scripts and files. How can I compress it to a file that contains the directory structure?

And where can I send it for testing and addition to the other contribs?

Thanks

[CharlieBrady]

Its a directory containing scripts and files. How can I compress it to a file that contains the directory structure?

Use zip or tar.

And where can I send it for testing and addition to the other contribs?

Open a bug in the bug tracker, and attach your file or files there.