Sessions at linux.conf.au 2012 about Continuous Integration and Open Source with slides and video

Tuesday 17th January 2012

• This Old Code, or Renovating Dusty Old Open Source For Fun and Profit

  by Greg Banks

  Software is a human construct and like everything we make it
  eventually falls into disrepair. Houses get mould, vermin
  infestations, and frightening old wiring. Software projects get
  equivalents of these, albeit a few decades faster.

  This talk is about the experience of doing a major renovation on
  a software relic: the Cyrus IMAP server. Fastmail (now Opera
  Software Australia) has been using Cyrus commercially to provide
  an IMAP interface to an email store for years now, and over the
  last year has significantly contributed to a resurgent effort to
  modernise the code and rejuvenate the community. The author
  works fulltime on this project and has both observed and
  contributed.

  Topics will include: introducing modern software engineering
  practices like Continuous Integration, making testing happen,
  attracting a developer community, a practical guide on how to
  find and fix outdated coding practices (a.k.a. bugs waiting to
  happen), and an introduction to paleoentomology. All
  illustrated with real world examples.

  If your organisation depends on ancient software in need of
  revitalising, or if you're just looking for some spare time Open
  Source work to keep your hand in, come to this talk and get some
  practical tips and a laugh or two.

  • Community
  • Continuous Integration
  • Open Source
  • Software Engineering

  At 1:20pm to 2:10pm, Tuesday 17th January

  Coverage slide deck video