git.shemshak.org - ~bandali/bndl.org/blob - fsf-internship-beyond.m4

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   2 define(__title, `My internship with the FSF tech team and beyond')dnl
   3 define(__pub, 2020-12-18T15:31:00-04:00)dnl
   4 define(__id, 3)dnl
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   6
   7 <p class="box">Originally published on the Free Software Foundation's
   8 sysadmin blog:<br/>
   9 <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/my-internship-with-the-fsf-tech-team-and-beyond">My internship with the FSF tech team and beyond</a>.</p>
  10
  11 <p>Hello!  I'm
  12 <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/introducing-bandali-intern-with-the-fsf-tech-team">Amin Bandali</a>,
  13 and this is my second blog post on the FSF sysadmin blog, concluding
  14 my internship with the FSF tech team this year.</p>
  15
  16 <p>Throughout my internship with the tech team, I have worked mainly
  17 on sysadmin tasks related to setting up and/or managing FSF's
  18 GNU/Linux servers.  Perhaps most significantly, I set up an instance
  19 of the <a href="https://sourcehut.org">Sourcehut</a> forge software to
  20 help
  21 <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/FSF_2020_forge_evaluation">evaluate</a>
  22 it as a candidate for the upcoming
  23 <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/coming-soon-a-new-site-for-fully-free-collaboration">FSF forge project</a>.
  24 I documented the installation and setup process of Sourcehut's various
  25 components in the form of a literate GNU Emacs Org-mode file, where
  26 source blocks are interspersed with comments and prose explaining
  27 them.  One can then progressively evaluate and execute the source
  28 blocks, and optionally have their results stored back in the Org file
  29 itself to help with documentation/demonstration.</p>
  30
  31 <p>I have also been slowly working on various improvements for the
  32 server running www.gnu.org, and will continue doing work on it as a
  33 volunteer after the end of my internship.  This will hopefully be
  34 beneficial to the FSF sysadmins running the server, the GNU webmasters
  35 who do webmastering work on gnu.org, and the general public browsing
  36 and using gnu.org's pages.  Notably, changes included upgrading the
  37 server to the latest release of Trisquel GNU/Linux, and revamping and
  38 improving the search mechanism for gnu.org's pages.  Additionally,
  39 there are several other projects that I would like to tackle with the
  40 tech team in the near future.</p>
  41
  42 <p>During my internship with the FSF tech team, I picked up a variety
  43 of new skills and learned more about a diverse set of topics and
  44 tools.  This included building and installing a complex piece of
  45 software like Sourcehut and debugging issues encountered along the
  46 way, using Ansible for managing and deploying infrastructure, as well
  47 as learning more about the Exim mail transfer agent used to run FSF
  48 and GNU's array of mail servers.</p>
  49
  50 <p>In conclusion to my internship and the year 2020, it's safe to say
  51 that this year has been an eventful year for many people, including
  52 myself.  I started my internship with the tech team back in May, and
  53 as a graduate student at the time, I was expecting a reasonable and
  54 balanced workload for my work on my thesis over the coming months.
  55 However, early on (less than two weeks) into my internship I learned
  56 that due to a number of reasons, I needed to complete my master's
  57 studies on a two-month deadline.  I told the tech team about the
  58 issue, asking whether I could take a hiatus to complete my studies
  59 without affecting my internship.  I am beyond thankful to the tech
  60 team and the FSF as whole for being accommodating, and for their
  61 flexibility in allowing me to take a leave to focus on writing my
  62 thesis and wrapping up my master's studies.  I managed to successfully
  63 wrap up my studies in that short timeline, and focus on my internship
  64 afterwards.</p>
  65
  66 <p>However, all good things must come to an end, and this internship
  67 is no exception.  I am incredibly grateful to the members of the FSF
  68 tech team -- Ian, Andrew, Ruben, and Michael -- for welcoming me to
  69 the team as an intern and mentoring me, answering my many questions,
  70 and helping me learn more.  It has been an honour and a wonderful
  71 experience for me all around working with you all and seeing the
  72 energy and passion with which you take on the work and
  73 responsibilities that come with being an FSF sysadmin and Web
  74 developer.  While most of my interactions were with the tech team, I
  75 also got to interact with FSF staffers from several other teams during
  76 my internship, and I'm thankful for our conversations and the chance
  77 to get to know and appreciate the important work you do.</p>
  78
  79 <p>This internship has come to an end, but I will carry with me all of
  80 the good memories and the lessons I learned along the way, and will
  81 happily to continue working with you as a volunteer.  The things I
  82 learned have been invaluable and greatly helpful to me, as I
  83 transitioned into my new full-time job at Savoir-faire Linux as a Free
  84 Software Consultant, where I get to work on various parts and aspects
  85 of Jami, a GNU package for universal communication which respects the
  86 freedoms and privacy of its users.</p>
  87
  88 <p>I would like to thank the FSF for providing me this excellent
  89 opportunity to work alongside the tech team as an intern, and take
  90 away so many valuable lessons and great memories.</p>
  91
  92 <p class="box">Interested in interning for the Free Software
  93 Foundation?  The application period for spring 2021 internships is
  94 currently open.  Please see
  95 <a href="https://www.fsf.org/volunteer/internships">https://www.fsf.org/volunteer/internships</a>
  96 for more details and information on how to apply!</p>
  97
  98 define(__copy, `2020')dnl
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