LXDE is applying as a project for the Google Summer of Code 2010. For students it is a good way to get deeper involved into Free and Open Source Software and LXDE specifically. During the summer students have the chance to code on LXDE and get paid by Google.
Some other projects usually also offer student slots for the LXDE community in the program. We are gathering project ideas, as a way to start for applicants here. If you are interested to join LXDE at the summer of code and would like to discuss project ideas, please join us on IRC at irc.oftc.net #lxde and on the mailing list: https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/lxde-list
If you have already an idea about a project you would like to do, please also leave your idea here as well: http://wiki.lxde.org/en/Google_Summer_of_Code_2010
Please also check out our students check list: http://wiki.lxde.org/en/Google_Summer_of_Code_-_Student_Check_List
Background info on Google Summer of Code
The most common question we get from students is “How do I prepare for Google Summer of Code?” The simple answer is not to wait for the program to get involved in open source. Start checking out projects now: take a look at documentation, check out their source code and idle in some IRC channels to see what interests you. The projects who have been past participants in Google Summer of Code are a great place to start; use the categorized list of mentoring organizations (e.g. projects listed by programming languages) from 2009 to help you get started.
About Google Summer of Code
Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is a global program that offers student developers stipends to write code for various open source software projects. We have worked with several open source, free software, and technology-related groups to identify and fund several projects over a three month period. Since its inception in 2005, the program has brought together nearly 3,400 students and more than more than 3,000 mentors & co-mentors from nearly 100 countries worldwide, all for the love of code. Through Google Summer of Code, accepted student applicants are paired with a mentor or mentors from the participating projects, thus gaining exposure to real-world software development scenarios and the opportunity for employment in areas related to their academic pursuits. In turn, the participating projects are able to more easily identify and bring in new developers. Best of all, more source code is created and released for the use and benefit of all.
* Frequently asked questions: http://socghop.appspot.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2010/faqs
* LXDE Project Ideas: http://wiki.lxde.org/en/Google_Summer_of_Code_2010
* Student Check List: http://wiki.lxde.org/en/Google_Summer_of_Code_-_Student_Check_List
Mario Behling is a German born serial entrepreneur. He founded the lubuntu project, and as the co-founder of FOSSASIA he supports communities to develop open technologies for social change. Mario presently works on SUSI AI from his Singapore base.