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How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 08:46
by Mirceam94
I've been a huge fan of Morrowind for several years now, and would love to help with this project. I have a good knowledge of C++ (~6 years of hobby experience) and build system management under linux (I can write makefiles, if that counts for anything)

I'm running Arch Linux/Windows XP on my computer, and I'd be willing to maintain builds for both of those platforms if required. I can also install debian on an external HD and make a .deb for OpenMW if requested. I've never made one before, but I pick up on things fast.

I've never used Ogre3D before, so I may need some time to familiarize myself with the API. I have tons of experience with irrlicht if that counts for anything.

So, is there anything I can help with? Or, better yet, can I join the team? =]

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 09:22
by werdanith
Mirceam94 wrote:Or, better yet, can I join the team? =]
You need to understand that you are approaching the firm during tough economic times while we are making cuts across all departments, so even if you pass the interviewing process you should keep in mind that your paycheck will not reflect your qualifications, and we offer no health benefits. You can contact our human resources department for more information on what the firm offers, on 555-432-3765.




ps. I'm joking of course :P, this an open source project, all contributors are welcome. :)

First get the source and build it, read the developer documentation on the wiki, play around with the code, then make an account on the bug tracker http://bugs.openmw.org/projects/openmw and take a look at our bug/feature lists and see if you see any task that interests you.
Or wait for someone more qualified like Zini to correct my algorithm.

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 10:15
by Zini
(I can write makefiles, if that counts for anything)
No, it doesn't. We are using cmake.
I have a good knowledge of C++ (~6 years of hobby experience
That one does though. Very much.
I'm running Arch Linux/Windows XP on my computer, and I'd be willing to maintain builds for both of those platforms if required. I can also install debian on an external HD and make a .deb for OpenMW if requested. I've never made one before, but I pick up on things fast.
We currently have package maintainers for all platforms. But it is always nice to have backup available in case someone drops out.
I've never used Ogre3D before, so I may need some time to familiarize myself with the API.
Actually, only a small part of OpenMW interacts with OGRE (and most of these tasks are taken already). General C++ skills should be more than sufficient.
First get the source and build it, read the developer documentation on the wiki, play around with the code, then make an account on the bug tracker http://bugs.openmw.org/projects/openmw and take a look at our bug/feature lists and see if you see any task that interests you.
Or wait for someone more qualified like Zini to correct my algorithm.
Mostly correct. We had a checklist once, but I guess it died with the old wiki. I'll try to reconstruct it from memory:

1. Get a github account.
2. Clone the OpenMW repository on github
3. Make a local clone
4. Build and run
5. Read the developer documentation on the wiki
6. Register on our bug tracker

If you are at this point, it is time to pick a task. Quite a few of the 0.13.0 roadmap are already taken, but I am sure we can find something for you.

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 10:28
by Zini
I had a look at the roadmap and found these tasks:


A tiny one. Probably no more than a warmup for you:

Create OpenEngine systems in the appropriate manager classes


Bigger, but still limited to one subsystem of OpenMW.

Refactor window manager class


Even bigger and a lot more complex. The dialogue GUI is currently worked on too, so it would be convenient, if someone picks up this task.

NPC Dialogue System


A bit smaller, but requires changes to multiple subsystems of OpenMW. I can give a few pointers and also help with the script integration.

Object rotation and scaling.


If you would rather pick a different task, we can talk about it.

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 10:34
by werdanith
Zini wrote: Mostly correct. We had a checklist once, but I guess it died with the old wiki. I'll try to reconstruct it from memory
It's on the front page of the wiki actually.
http://openmw.org/wiki/index.php?title= ... ion_Wanted

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 11:06
by Zini
Right. Now that is a way to hide something in a obvious place. We should probably add a link to it on the main Developer Reference page.

Well, looks like I got it right, except for the order.

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 11:28
by Mirceam94
ps. I'm joking of course , this an open source project, all contributors are welcome.
I was a bit shocked while reading that initial paragraph xD

I've never actually contributed to an open source project before, so I'm pretty new to the whole Github fork/repo system. (I have a few personal repos set up, but all I've ever done is push local copies of source files online).
Actually, only a small part of OpenMW interacts with OGRE (and most of these tasks are taken already). General C++ skills should be more than sufficient.
Sweet, I was pretty worried about that.
Mostly correct. We had a checklist once, but I guess it died with the old wiki. I'll try to reconstruct it from memory:
I'll get started on this in an hour or so.
A tiny one. Probably no more than a warmup for you:

Create OpenEngine systems in the appropriate manager classes
Are you still using OpenEngine? I haven't had a chance to sit down with OpenMW's source just yet, so I still need to get a feel for the structure of things.

I'll get started on that first. Thanks for the list!

Once I make some changes/complete a task in the tracker, how do I upload it/merge my repo?

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 11:32
by Zini
Are you still using OpenEngine?
Using, yes. Developing, mostly no.
Once I make some changes/complete a task in the tracker, how do I upload it/merge my repo?
Just an ordinary push to your repository on github. The developer documentation on the wiki has some bits of information about procedures.

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 12:03
by gus
Hi,
Do you have some modding experience with morrowind?

Also, getting started with openMW can be a bit hard (openmw is rather... big), so if you have any question, don't hesitate to ask ;)

Re: How can I help?

Posted: 28 Jan 2012, 12:15
by Zini
openmw is rather... big
Well, that is relative. On the border between medium and large I would say. ;)