GSOCMentorGuide
ns-3 mentor guidelines
Below are some specific guidelines and FAQs to applying to be a mentor in ns-3's GSoC program (if ns-3 is chosen to participate). These guidelines apply above and beyond what you will read on the GSOC site and on other wikis [1,2]. If you want to propose ideas and become a mentor, please read the below and the references cited.
1) How are mentors chosen?
Mentor selection in ns-3 is somewhat secondary to student selection. We will select the strongest student applications that have reasonable, credible mentoring plans. If a student project proposal is exceptionally strong, but has been developed with no mentor or suggested project proposal, the selection committee or organizational admin will try to find a mentor on the spot. However, all things being equal in the student applications, we will select the student project that has a solid mentoring commitment over one that doesn't have any mentor identified.
We are looking for mentors with the following qualifications: familiar with ns-3 and its software development practices, expertise on the technical scope of the student project, and time available to devote to mentoring.
The best way to become a mentor is to propose interesting, well scoped projects during the ideas phase, which will attract students, and to respond to student questions during the application process.
2) How much time does it take?
We are asking mentors to be prepared to spend a minimum of 1-2 hours per week helping their student. The amount of time required to make the project successful depends on the student and the degree of difficulty of the project. Almost daily interaction is needed on some projects.
As a guideline, we would encourage at least two meetings per week, where the meetings occur on Skype, IRC, or other interactive media.
3) Can people form mentor teams?
Yes, two people can share mentor duties; one must be named the primary mentor, however, and the mentor proceeds must be shared.
4) How do payments work?
Each mentor is eligible for $500. In the past, the payment system worked as follows. Google required one individual to register as a vendor and accept payment for all three mentors, and mentors were paid from this after U.S. taxes were withdrawn on the amount. In 2012, we are exploring whether another organization can accept mentor payments on behalf of the project (thereby avoiding taxation issues). So, mentors can expect to receive either $500, or $500 less the U.S. taxes taken out (leaving about $360).
You can also donate your mentor proceeds to the ns-3 project. Two people in the past have done this. These funds have been used to purchase project shirts and other incidentals. In the future, any donated mentor contributions will be deposited in the an ns-3 account.
5) What if a mentor has some summer vacation planned?
Mentors must arrange for backup mentoring during the period that they are unavailable.
6) Can prospective mentors help students develop applications?
Yes, but mentors should take reasonable steps to ensure that students do not develop an unfair competitive advantage from private conversations with mentors. During the application phase, it is best to hold project development discussions on the ns-developers list so that any prospective applicant can benefit from the discussion.
7) Do prospective mentors have any role in selecting the student projects?
A selection committee will be formed by the organizational admin (Lalith) and this committee may be composed of some prospective mentors. Please contact Lalith if you would like to serve on this committee.
[1] http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2012/faqs
[2] http://en.flossmanuals.net/GSoCMentoring/what-makes-a-good-mentor/
