Frank Urro
Sat, 01/05/2008 - 18:49 — cozzi
What is your motivation for being a member of the Drupal Association?:
To be involved. Help Drupal be better understood by the novice user verses the experienced programmer. I fall in the middle, once an experienced programmer, now a power user (not a developer) of open source applications. Drupal IS powerful, but is very confusing for the average web developer. I would like to change that.
What are the primary goals you would like to work on?:
Documentation and examples. I have offered my assistance in the past but have never been taken up on it.
I would also like to play a role in Boston DrupalCon. (I live just 17 miles outside Boston)
What strategy will you employ in order to accomplish said goals?:
I would simply require an examples attribute linked to every module where users can post how they have used the module then find one "novice" to make sense of the posts and create a simple "Module How-to". Like - How-to use Panels! I still haven't figured that one out yet! I know it's powerful but I can't get it to work. I know it's me because others are using it and loving it. So, I just don't use it for now.
What yearly budget would you need in order to accomplish said goals?:
I don't think it really requires any real money. Maybe some free stuff (You know like education type stuff) to get a "novice" volunteer to assist with each module.
What strengths/experience you have to help you accomplish the goals?:
I've a background in product development, software applications training, software applications documentation, product marketing - and great people skills. The product marketing thing is important because this role should lead helping Drupal grow immensely.
How long have you been using Drupal, and how'd you get your start?:
18 Months. I was looking for a good open source database driven web dev system for a project I was collaborating on. I looked at Drupal and Joomla. I picked Drupal because of it's flexibility even though Joomla was easier to understand and get running. Many of my web dev friends told me to go with Joomla as they said Drupal was too "rough" around the edges. Now many love the sites I've created but are still a bit frightened of Drupal.
Have you made existing community contributions, and if so, what?:
I've posted some of my experiences with Drupal. Problems I've solved and way's I've gotten things to work. Just look for cozzi at Drupal.org.
How much time can you invest in your Drupal Association work?:
8 hours/month
Apply for Board of Directors membership:
Apply for Board of Directors membership
Board of Directors position:
Ease of Use Manager (If you create the position)
Statutes:
I have read and understood the Statutes of the Drupal Association. I am prepared to participate by following those statutes.
Comments
Is the board the right place to start in?
I have offered my assistance in the past but have never been taken up on it.
I understand this feeling. Still, I'm doubtful that a board position is the right place to begin an organizational role. Often it takes a bit of persistence to get established in the Drupal community. More than anything, it tends to take simply doing work, without any recognized status or position, and gradually gaining profile and recognition.
Does the board indeed seem the right place for you to contribute at this time? If so, why?