Easy Pickings

[smi...@gmail.com]

Hi all,

tl;dr - I'm proposing we make more use of the 'easy pickings' flag on trac and should aim to have 20-30 tickets with this flag. More options here will hopefully help new contributors. If there is support, I'm happy to help review tickets to push the number up. 

I've been thinking about the 'easy pickings' filter and it feels to me like a bit of a missed opportunity. As a new contributor, I think filtering Trac by this tag is one of the first things I'd do in the hope for an 'easy' ticket that is available. Without this we expect folk to pick a component and then judge which is 'easy'. I think having somewhat of a curated list under this flag could help folk find "easier" tickers. Side note: as discussed elsewhere "easy" isn't a great word here, "easier" or maybe "ideal first issue" could be better, but is a slightly separate topic. 

Currently, we have only 8 out of c1,100 tickets marked in this category. I think a reasonable target would be for say 20-30 tickets (c.2.0%-2.5%) to be in this category. A slightly higher number than now means that there would be more chance for folk to pick up an available ticket. 

While "easy" is subjective, I think as well as the very rare but obviously "easy" tickets (such as re-ordering a list of items in the docs) those tickets which are "almost" there (had a prior patch and feedback, and "just" need a few tweaks) could fall into this category, as could those "just" needing docs. Tickets that have had some thought and work put into them, are likely to be far easier than those without. 

Appreciate thoughts. I'm more than happy to review some tickets to bump up the number. 

Thanks

David

[Tim Graham]

Hi David, I agree with your definition of easy as "ideal first issue" but I don't think aiming for a certain number of easy tickets makes sense. If those issues are quickly solved, then what happens... mark the next 20-30 easiest tickets? I'd say feel free to mark any tickets as "easy pickings" that you feel are appropriate, especially if the issue isn't so straightforward but you are willing to mentor someone on it. To be honest, I've always kind of dreaded using the "easy pickings" flag because it would often take me a lot more time and effort to guide someone new than to do it myself. If you have the patience for that, I salute you.

[Ramon Saraiva]

Hey,

As a new contributor, I can say that it's been hard to find tickets flagged as 'easy pickings', been constantly looking for those and not able to catch.

Today, as you mentioned, I went through a few ones that were not classified as 'easy pickings' but sounded easier to me, so I picked one.

It does give a feeling of oh, I'm a new contributor but assigned something that was not flagged as 'easy picking'.. Kinda feels like I'm breaking the rules/processes.

Even tho my opinion shouldn't weigh much, I do support this initiative, David.

Cheers,

Ramon.

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[Carlton Gibson]

Hi David

I think this is a good idea. The contributing guide says to look for easy pickings tickets as a good way to get started, but there are hardy any, so there’s a bit of a disconnect there. 

I don’t think there’s any harm in a false positive, so don’t be shy. 😃

Thanks! 

C.