Student Application Template
To fill this in, copy the source text. Please don't rename the template.
This is a suggestion for the kind of information we'll find useful from students in their submissions. Remember -- you're going to be committing to several months' work. The more information and planning you can provide up-front, the more we (and Google!) will have to go on when we're ranking your application. Do not forget adding your submission at SummerOfCode2014/StudentApplications
Name: Murukesh Mohanan
Contact/Email: murukesh.mohanan@gmail.com murukesh@cse.iitb.ac.in IRC: muru (on OFTC and freenode. I am new to IRC, however, so email would be preferable for the moment.)
Background: I am doing a Master of Technology in CSE and am a Linux user for about 4 years now. I'm familiar with C/C++, scripting in a few languages and various development tools like make, git, and so on. I am also a student sysad in my department's labs and have had occasion to install Linux on a variety of hardware configurations. I am primarily an Arch Linux user, and used to own a Nexus 4 and will be soon owning a Nexus 5. I worked for a year in software engineering and have some experience with working with a large C codebase.
Project title: Linux hardware support for one mobile device
Project details:
Synopsis: Patch Linux to run on a mobile device, possibly using modifications made by Android-based projects.
Benefits to Debian: Getting Debian to run on mobiles will increase its popularity among Linux users, and among developers. Right now, whether one wants to use a server, or a PC, or a laptop, one can rely on Debian. With tablet and mobile support, one can rely on Debian for pretty much any common device.
Deliverables:
- Patches to the kernel to get Debian running on a phone, while minimizing or eliminating breakage, especially of userspace software.
- Documentation, and possibly a how-to on extending to other devices.
Project schedule: I'm not sure about this, since I don't have enough familiarity with the kernel or the various Android ROMS. I think a proper schedule would take some study and discussion with the mentor.
Exams and other commitments: Exams are scheduled from April 18 to May 1, but I have exams for only two courses and so should be unavailable for at most four days.
Other summer plans: I have a two-week vacation planned from May 14, but I will be carrying my laptop and phone with me (and can get a not-bad net connection using the phone). I could work for about 20 hours during those two weeks, but aside from that I will be available all the time, including weekends.
Why Debian?: While I am primarily an Arch Linux user, I respect and admire Debian. From what I understand, Debian can be relied upon to do the right thing and for the right reason. As the parent of so many distributions, a change to Debian has far-reaching effects.
- Are you applying for other projects in SoC? No.