Hi Brynn,
"Test framework" and "build environment" will be 2 things that I will need to explain to other users, because I will need someone to explain to me. I have a general idea about them, but many will have questions, if I just leave it as those words.
- It might be enough to say that the test framework helps with testing the functions of Inkscape, to see if they do what they should. It helps detect regressions (a kind of bug: things that once worked don't anymore).
A build environment is a tool which helps developers turn their program files (in human-readable format) into binary files (computer-readable) and takes care of finding and using all libraries, modules, files,... which are needed for the process. It's an essential development tool. It is needed to make the files you install on your computer. (sorry devs, I know this is simplified, but I hope it's still accurate enough for the purpose...)
Where did you learn about all that?
- Dev mailing list / wiki. There was a lot more traffic here, and a lot of it was about fundamental decisions on development tools. Ask the devs which areas they have become more busy in during/after the hackfest ;)
That's what I need to read. Was on the IRC? I suppose there's no archive of IRC discussions. I did see a lot of discussion on the mailing list, but mostly on things I don't understand. So I didn't read closely. But I can look at those messages more closely, and ask questions about those topics.
- Just ask them what interests *you* ;) If you notice that a topic is not so interesting/understandable to you, then allow it to stay shallow in your article. It's likely that other users will want to know similar things as you do. If we needed a technical article (which we do, but not here), we'd only put Tav's summary on the website, and have a few confused users who won't be any the wiser after reading it ;) (this is not to say that Tav writes things that are not understandable, the opposite is true. But the topics, emphasis and intended audience are different.)
Shall I thank the sponsors in this article/review? In a general way, or specifically name them? Or is this not the best place to do that?
- Depends on the other contents. If you can make it fit: yes, of course :) Naming is difficult (I don't think you want to access and read the Paypal account listing... And we don't have a way to know if they would want to be named or stay anonymous).
Regards, Maren