Quiz module development for Google's Summer of Code 2005

Hello Drupal.org Developers,

I am an eager student interested in working on the Summer of Code 2005 projects for the Drupal code. I have gone through the Summer of Code 2005 proposed project ideas and noticed the Quiz module development project. Since Google is sponsoring a large portion of the stipend, I feel that the Drupal community would welcome with open arms the idea of having less experienced student programmers work on potential projects.

But first, allow me to introduce myself. I am a student at Case Western Reserve University in sunny Cleveland, Ohio, studying Computer Engineering and Art History. For this summer, roughly the same length of time that the Google Summer of Code 2005 project encompasses, I will be living in San Francisco, living a true life experience. While I do not have a job out here in California, I do have a deep-seated interest in programming and in giving back to the open-source community. I run a large number of open-source projects, both on my personal computers (I'm typing this on a PowerBook) and on my servers (which I use to host numerous sites, including my personal website at conesus.com, which utilized Apache, PHP, mySQL, and other open-source scripts).

I live and breath open-source on the compiled end. Now I'm looking to give back on the fresher code end. However, as much as I want to give back (especially with such a lucrative option coming from Google), my experience lacks in depth, as I've only programming for the local IT Help Desk at Case, writing the financial system, the payroll manager, the customer database, and numerous scripts and trackers used in conducting business. All of these are home-brewed solutions, custom written for Case.

Now that Google is giving so much, I ask of the Drupal developer community to help out in order to benefit from Google’s generosity. I am looking to help write the Quiz development module, which requires not only a mentor, which Drupal is willing to sponsor, but also community feedback and harmony. If the Drupal community feels that they are willing to work with an energized and determined student such as myself, then Ii would be proud to write a proposal for Google (due by June 14, 2005), and share it with the community here before submittal.

All I ask for now is guidance in my reach for the knowledge and assistance that I will use during this summer.

Also, of note, I have read through the previous forum topics on the quiz module, such as this lively discussion, which I believed started all of the initial interest in the quiz module development, base don the fact that the topic’s author, Robert Douglass, is also the author of the entire quiz specification.

I have read through the specification, and barring any outstanding issues left to document, I strongly feel that I can complete the required tasks, in time, and successfully by September, with the help of the community. Of course my mentor would assist me in learning about the specifics of module integration with the rest of the Drupal modules, along with other things, but I am confident on the issue of the specific routines used in creating the quiz module.

So I’m realizing now that I’m droning on a bit, but hey, there’s that Art History bit working for me. I’m looking forward to hearing any support or any concerns that you, the community, might have. If I have an initial OK, then I will gladly submit my proposal to the community before I turn it into Google.

All the Best,
Robert Klayman