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Mozfest 2015 Program on Github!

Head to this repository's issues, where the Mozfest program data is being reviewed and curated. Questions on how to use this tool or ideas to improve it? Email festival@mozilla.org.

Overview

All the Mozfest program data is in the "Issues" section of this Github repository. This is a brief tutorial to help you, member of the Mozfest program team, get started with Github Issues.

Spaces

Each space is represented as a Github "milestone". Each milestone includes description of its respective space.

Click "(more)" in Issues > Milestones to see the details of a space.

You can edit the description of your space at any time.

You can click on the name of a space to see all the associated pathways and sessions. You can modify sessions to be part of your space by adding them to the appropriate "milestone."

Pathways

Each pathway is represented as a Github "label.". You can add new labels, change the color and change the name:

Labels can be applied to sessions (i.e. individual Github issues) to indicate that the session is part of that pathway. You can then search for and see all the sessions that are part of that pathway. There's not limit to the number of labels you can apply to a session. That's great -- we love things that are cross-listed.

Ideally, each pathway also has what's called a "tracking issue" that provides more information about the pathway.

Sessions

Each session is a Github Issue. They can be easily labeled to be part of a pathway. You can also comment on them, edit them, and "close" them if they are not a good fit for Mozfest.

Why we're using Github Issues for Mozfest

This year we're using Github to manage, review and curate sessions for Mozfest. This tool will allow us to better collaborate and coordinate across the program, as well as provide a record for how the program came together.

It is new for us to use Github Issues in this way, but based on some other events who've used it effectively, we think it's a great solution for Mozfest.

We are here to help in case you get stuck or need help at anytime. Don't worry -- you can't break anything!

Who is using Github Issues for Mozfest

For Mozfest, we are inviting any Space Wrangler, Pathway Finder or core Mozfest team member to use Github Issues.

If you are not in one of these roles but are interested to be active in Github Issues with us, please email festival@mozilla.org. Due to the sometimes sensitive nature of our conversations on this platform, please be aware that an invitation to participate is not guaranteed.

If you are using Github Issues, please be advised that your comments will be recorded and may be viewed publicly at sometime. We will not publish anyone's personal information, and we ask you to be respectful in your comments, both towards the people who submitted sessions and to your fellow program team members.

Getting started with Github Issues

Github Issues is a powerful way to collaborate on Github. It was originally designed as an "issue tracker" or project management tool for editing code. However, its simple interface allows us to adapt it for Mozfest's program curation.

To get started, you'll first have to create a Github account.

Once you've created your account, send your Github user name to festival@mozilla.org. You will then be notified that you have access to the Mozfest repository.

Learning how to use Github Issues

The Mozfest team will offer support for you to use Github Issues in the following ways:

• This tutorial! Is there anything missing or unclear? Let us know how to improve it by emailing: festival@mozilla.org
• Orientations on the Mozfest program call. During our regular weekly calls, we will walk the group through the major features and workflows in Github Issues. We'll answer questions and troubleshoot.
• 1:1 Conversations. We'll also offer timeslots for anyone interested in having a more in-depth conversation about how to use Github Issues effectively. In addition, we'll be available for any urgent Github questions via email (festival@mozilla.org), Twitter (#mozfest) or on Skype.

How to review sessions

Be mindful about what you comment. People who are submitting a session are putting themselves out there. We are invested in ensuring they have a good experience with us, regardless whether their session is accepted or not. Let's be respective and constructive.

Also note: This is a public Github repo. If you need to say something sensitive about a session or a facilitator, you can use the sessions@ mailing list.

• 1. Read through the sessions. You can search for key words.
• 2. Signal your interest in the sessions you want to take on: ** A. Apply a pathway label to indicate you want to include it in your pathway. A session can have multiple labels. ** B. Apply your space milestone to all your pathways and sessions that you want included within your space. Note: in Github, a session can only be assigned to one space milestone. ** C. CC yourself in the comment section of a session if you want to be notified about changes to this session and otherwise be involved in deciding to keep or tweak it.
• 3. Accepting and declining sessions. ** How to accept a session: Add a pathway label and/or space milestone. This indicates you are taking responsibility for the session's inclusion and success at Mozfest. The issue will remain open. ** How to suggest declining a session: Any session issue that is unlabeled and without a space milestone will be perceived as not accepted for this year's festival.

After September 30 if the session remains unlabeled and without a space milestone, the issue will be closed by the Mozfest team. The session facilitator will be notified by the program team that their session has not be accepted to Mozfest.

Improving this process

Ideas? Let us know: festival@mozilla.org.