Simple Machines, our team, and our recruitment process
August 10, 2006, 02:25:40 AM Posted by Thantos on August 10, 2006, 02:25:40 AM in Simple Machines, our team, and our recruitment process | 78 CommentsFrom time to time we get inquiries from certain people expressing interest in helping out with the project, and possibly joining the team. I figured I would share with you how we select team members and what you can do to help out.
First thing is to realize that we are always looking for more people. Simple Machines has grown rapidly in the last year and as such, our team has expanded also. Here are some of the things we look for in potential members, there is no particular order to this list:
While there are some opposing views, the generally consensus of the team is that you should not ask to join the team. Joining the team is not a goal in of itself. The best way to get on the team is to not try to get on the team, and instead use that energy to help the project as a whole.
Do what you enjoy doing. If you aspire to be a mod developer, go read the Mod Requests board and develop some mods. If you think the design team is the place for you then go create some kick butt themes and submit them to the theme site.
At the same time, try to help those who are learning. A great theme designer is great, but one that can assist people in creating their themes is even better.
We'll often wait months before inviting someone to join the team. This allows us to see how regular they are and to make sure they aren't "faking" it.
If you get asked to join the team, there is a good chance it'll be as a Support Specialist. A good portion of our team starts there as that team as the most amount of work to do. It also allows us to see how well you perform in the team environment.
The process of getting someone onto the team
The process itself is simple. A team member will notice that a particular member has been really helpful and shows the above traits. That team member will post a recommendation to the team board, where the potentional team member is discussed, their previous postings looked at, and mods or themes looked at, etc. We try to make sure there are no reasons why they shouldn't join the team. If the team is in agreement the team leader for a particular team will contact the person and invite them to join that team. If the person accepts the team leader then lets the administrators known who then change their groups and gets them into the team.
Also, note that the teams listed on the team page should not be viewed as a constraint mechanism. We are always looking for people with unique skills and knowledge, even if it doesn't fit into one of the teams. So if you have a strength that you think would be beneficial to the project, please share it with the other users.
First thing is to realize that we are always looking for more people. Simple Machines has grown rapidly in the last year and as such, our team has expanded also. Here are some of the things we look for in potential members, there is no particular order to this list:
- Posts often and regularly. We need people who are active and able to contribute regularly.
- Posts accurate information. Not knowing the answer is fine, however posting a bad solution is worse then no solution.
- Posts information in an easy to understand manner. As the project has expanded, we are getting more users who don't have a vast experience with computers. We need people who can help them out as well as the super geeks like me.
- Is respectful to the other users, especially when confronted with an opposing view.
- Ability to work as a part of a team.
- Has been contributing for a while. We often get people who surge onto the scene but quickly fizzle out. We are looking for people who will still be active a year or more from now.
While there are some opposing views, the generally consensus of the team is that you should not ask to join the team. Joining the team is not a goal in of itself. The best way to get on the team is to not try to get on the team, and instead use that energy to help the project as a whole.
Do what you enjoy doing. If you aspire to be a mod developer, go read the Mod Requests board and develop some mods. If you think the design team is the place for you then go create some kick butt themes and submit them to the theme site.
At the same time, try to help those who are learning. A great theme designer is great, but one that can assist people in creating their themes is even better.
We'll often wait months before inviting someone to join the team. This allows us to see how regular they are and to make sure they aren't "faking" it.
If you get asked to join the team, there is a good chance it'll be as a Support Specialist. A good portion of our team starts there as that team as the most amount of work to do. It also allows us to see how well you perform in the team environment.
The process of getting someone onto the team
The process itself is simple. A team member will notice that a particular member has been really helpful and shows the above traits. That team member will post a recommendation to the team board, where the potentional team member is discussed, their previous postings looked at, and mods or themes looked at, etc. We try to make sure there are no reasons why they shouldn't join the team. If the team is in agreement the team leader for a particular team will contact the person and invite them to join that team. If the person accepts the team leader then lets the administrators known who then change their groups and gets them into the team.
Also, note that the teams listed on the team page should not be viewed as a constraint mechanism. We are always looking for people with unique skills and knowledge, even if it doesn't fit into one of the teams. So if you have a strength that you think would be beneficial to the project, please share it with the other users.
Comments
Thank you for sharing this information
I will try to realize what is expected from me to join the team
I will try to realize what is expected from me to join the team
I think I'm too well hated to join 
I personally would love a position here at SMF... I sort of miss helping out people since my retirement as a Support Specialist at Boardnation... However, I don't think I'm no-where close to being knowledgeable enough. I know about design, not about how Simple Machines works, or at least I don't know how it works like some of you guys do.
The advanced PHP stuff eh Gamer?
But you're right, I tech support on about 15 SMF forums. (Not all at once) but what I do for them is practicly nothing compared. Mostly, telling them on MSN how to fix error x or error y, occationally manually install a mod or two or guide them through.
But what seems like a lot to those 15 people is practically nothing to me or in comparison to what the guys do here.
But you're right, I tech support on about 15 SMF forums. (Not all at once) but what I do for them is practicly nothing compared. Mostly, telling them on MSN how to fix error x or error y, occationally manually install a mod or two or guide them through.
But what seems like a lot to those 15 people is practically nothing to me or in comparison to what the guys do here.
I am a PHP zend certified engineer and will be happy to join you.
Regards,
Ankur
Regards,
Ankur
As Thantos said in the first post, you have to show that you have what it takes.
If you want to join the Support Team head to the Support Boards and start helping people out with their problems. If you want to join the Mod team check out the Mod Requests area and make some mods, etc...
After a while of doing that, a team member might notice and will put your name forward in the Team Area.
-AwwLilMaggie
If you want to join the Support Team head to the Support Boards and start helping people out with their problems. If you want to join the Mod team check out the Mod Requests area and make some mods, etc...
After a while of doing that, a team member might notice and will put your name forward in the Team Area.
-AwwLilMaggie
I would think the people post here aren't the only enthusiasts of the team as some can't read this topic (since its en anglais), if I'm right; everyone here at SMF has potential to join and become part of one of the best BBS's
Offtopic: I think I'm taking french for GCSE this and next year
Offtopic: I think I'm taking french for GCSE this and next year
so why am i not on the team then?!?!?!?!
Be patient, you may or may not have be chosen to become a *sarcasm*god*sarcasm*. Everyone has a chance, including god himself xD
I don't sense anything wrong with you, so your chance could be soon
I don't sense anything wrong with you, so your chance could be soon
Quote from: Leipe Po on August 25, 2006, 03:55:09 PM
so why am i not on the team then?!?!?!?!
Because you are using too many punctuation marks !!?!!!??!??@@~~´?!?!)/'^)(/^(')
* HarzeM bets someone will split this topic.
But doesn't the world revolve around punctuation, cause I think it does.
Yeah, split it into two: Applications and Comments etc... XD
Yeah, split it into two: Applications and Comments etc... XD
nah i will get my chance sooner oor later, and i also have smf-apps.org to care about, and develop kickass apps on there with the allmighty power of SSI.php...
I'd like to say congratulations to AwwLilMaggie on becoming a Doc Writer. Well deserved position.
If I know AwwLilMaggie, you guys will have a Doc site 75% larger by morning.
If I know AwwLilMaggie, you guys will have a Doc site 75% larger by morning.
Thanks Gamer.
75% thats pushing it a bit, I'm only human. Maybe 74%
-AwwLilMaggie
75% thats pushing it a bit, I'm only human.
Maybe 74% -AwwLilMaggie
Mainly everyone here is human 
, or maybe not
Sounds like you're recruiting an army
, or maybe not Quoteour recruitment process
Sounds like you're recruiting an army
I don't think Unknown is human... I mean look at his post count. And Douglas is a bear in overalls, so I dunno.
well we could start a revolution if we want to, lol
And I'm the code monkey. Not just any regular monkey but a code one .
.Made out of PHP, and all the other languages I guess?
dont forget to add coffee to that list
Here's a slightly way of topic fact: Drinking coffee will make you live longer than drinking tea
why, caffeine is known to cause heart problems in some cases(ok now we are really offtopic)
Okay back on topic, let me guess; those who are chosen are because of their skill etc...
well no, i have more then avarge php and mysql skills, along with a good use of html, css and javascript, and know just about everthng of the smf-core, like witch functions are used for witch purpouse, witch secrets the ssi.php file has, ect... ect.. but i aint on the team... why? i hear you ask,
well, probably cause i dont give mutch support to those in need....
well, probably cause i dont give mutch support to those in need....
Quote from: Leipe Po on August 28, 2006, 01:40:33 PM
well, probably cause i dont give mutch support to those in need....
And you haven't written many mods to prove yourself
Looks like you mostly answered your own question
mwa who needs mod's anyway with such a great software package(yeah i know, i'm a suckup),
prove myself??
www.smf-apps.org
www.leipepo.com
more sites coming soon...
prove myself??
www.smf-apps.org
www.leipepo.com
more sites coming soon...
This topic has lost it's meaning. Leipe Po, this ain't a place to plug your sites.
Leipe Po, this ain't a place to plug your sites. Quote from: TheGamer on September 02, 2006, 10:55:09 PM
This topic has lost it's meaning.
well, its just a show of what can be done with smf.... not promotion, if i wanted that ill sign up to google adwords, or rent a bannerspace here, but those sites are all smf-related, or any coding language that smf uses,witch also proves i know my php, mysql, and blablabla...
so that in turn affects this topic!
Quote from: Leipe Po on September 05, 2006, 01:45:07 PMQuote from: TheGamer on September 02, 2006, 10:55:09 PM
This topic has lost it's meaning.
well, its just a show of what can be done with smf.... not promotion, if i wanted that ill sign up to google adwords, or rent a bannerspace here, but those sites are all smf-related, or any coding language that smf uses,witch also proves i know my php, mysql, and blablabla...
so that in turn affects this topic!
I am with TheGamer in this .
Quote from: TheGamer on September 02, 2006, 10:55:09 PMNo, it's a place to plug mine, see my signature!
This topic has lost it's meaning.
Seriously though, if people just try to help the community as a whole, as opposed to just aiming for a badge, then they'll be more likely to be considered.
Sooo, If I buy Jay something from his Amazon wish list, does that get me on the team? j/k
subliminal message to buy something for jay on his amazon list
Its good to see a post letting fellow SMF'ers know how to get on. I know there are a few regulars on here that would make good contrabutions to the team. I've had help from a few good coders here, who know SMF pretty good. [well better than I do]
subliminal message to buy something for jay on his amazon list
Its good to see a post letting fellow SMF'ers know how to get on. I know there are a few regulars on here that would make good contrabutions to the team. I've had help from a few good coders here, who know SMF pretty good. [well better than I do]
Hey we don't accept bribes
In public that is :-P
In public that is :-P
Well bribing the team to get on it, I would think of that as unfair for those who wish to have earned their rightful position.
Evidently JJ doesn't have enough money to bribe me
Well.. you don't use money to bribe Amy........
Quote from: eldʌkaː on September 16, 2006, 11:43:04 PM
Well.. you don't use money to bribe Amy........
Always agreed, bribing shows no effort in trying to do whats right for the community
Quote from: Amacythe on September 16, 2006, 11:36:49 PM
Evidently JJ doesn't have enough money to bribe me
Um, do you guys/gals take food stamps?
So, how big is the SMF team exactly? I mean, how many people are in it?
Anyways, slight typo in the subject of this topic: Simple Machine should be Simple Machines
QuoteI don't think Unknown is human... I mean look at his post count. And Douglas is a bear in overalls, so I dunno.Yeah, he still has the highest 'Total time logged in' (172d 7h 42m). Even though he hasn't posted for over a year, his average is still about 30 posts per day
Anyways, slight typo in the subject of this topic: Simple Machine should be Simple Machines
Quotemwa who needs mod's anyway with such a great software package(yeah i know, i'm a suckup),www.Dynamic-Sig.com is a good example of what you can do with SMF
prove myself??
www.smf-apps.org
www.leipepo.com
more sites coming soon...
Quote from: daniel15 on September 26, 2006, 07:03:46 AM
So, how big is the SMF team exactly? I mean, how many people are in it?
http://www.simplemachines.org/about/team.php
Let me just quote this: There is a large quantity of support specialists but I think there's too many at the moment
I can bet they wouldnt agree with you
Quote from: Trekkie101 on September 26, 2006, 05:25:43 PM
I can bet they wouldnt agree with you
Truely its just amazing to see so many people but from that, it lowers chances of anyone scoring the position
There are over 3,000 registered members to every one Support Specialist. I don't think that is too high of a ratio (3,000:1).
Quote from: groundup on September 27, 2006, 05:33:54 PM
There are over 3,000 registered members to every one Support Specialist. I don't think that is too high of a ratio (3,000:1).
3,000:1, is that all? LOL j/k.
Great Information.
It is funny to look at a topic over a year after it was first started and realizing that we still use the same recruitment process.
It's not like it would've changed, we dont exactly conduct interviews, have application forms and place advertisements and such.
so why did i get a phone call interview???
oo wait it was for uni
oo wait it was for uni
Quote from: sloopz on September 01, 2007, 12:25:09 PM
so why did i get a phone call interview???
And I got a snail mail letter for an interview. But that was for a paid job.
Quote from: m3talc0re on August 12, 2006, 03:13:07 AM
I think I'm too well hated to join
Bloc already pretty much controls the spot you would've had.~
I wonder who'll be the next team member...
The last time I checked - Kirby was a customize team apprentice.. maybe?
hes already team
Quote from: ALM on September 02, 2007, 10:45:12 AM*Gasp* It goes to your profile.
It could be this person
-ALM
Yeah, Its gonna be one of us only
Not that I am specifieng someone
Not that I am specifieng someone
IMO out of us 3 no one is ready. Maybe 2 years from now.
Maybe 2 years from now.
maet FMS eht nioj!
From what I see no one was requesting to be on the team.... Am I wrong
I wasn't saying anyone was. Just sort of reflecting the sentiments of the first post
Quote from: karlbenson on September 02, 2007, 07:55:27 PMThats a good image.... (saves it for future use)
I wasn't saying anyone was. Just sort of reflecting the sentiments of the first post
Quote from: shadow82x on September 02, 2007, 07:52:39 PM
From what I see no one was requesting to be on the team.... Am I wrong
j00 dont apply for us, we apply for j00.
-ALM
Quote from: ALM on September 02, 2007, 08:09:24 PMI think thats what the first post said.Quote from: shadow82x on September 02, 2007, 07:52:39 PM
From what I see no one was requesting to be on the team.... Am I wrong
j00 dont apply for us, we apply for j00.
-ALM
I made it short and simple and 1337.
Quote from: ALM on September 02, 2007, 08:09:24 PM
j00 dont apply for us, we apply for j00.
-ALM
Yet here i sit, the one who was dumb enough to send Jerm and redone a PM expressing interest in joining the team.
And as much as I harass Amacythe, i'm surprised i've not been banned yet
Quote from: metallica48423 on September 02, 2007, 08:19:36 PMYour avatar line said it at one point.Quote from: ALM on September 02, 2007, 08:09:24 PM
j00 dont apply for us, we apply for j00.
-ALM
Yet here i sit, the one who was dumb enough to send Jerm and redone a PM expressing interest in joining the team.
And as much as I harass Amacythe, i'm surprised i've not been banned yet
Close enough. Personal text
Can I be a team member pleaaaaaase 
* akabugeyes looks at his post, whoa...why didn't anyone tell me. 
Quote from: akabugeyes on September 03, 2007, 01:34:16 AM
Can I be a team member pleaaaaaase* akabugeyes looks at his post, whoa...why didn't anyone tell me.
I deny your membership
So do I.
Wow, my book bribe to Jay really worked. j/k
I forgot I even posted that...
Sarcasm aside. The way I see it is, everyone who contributes to the community is part of the team. The badge/title only reflect a level of commitment. A CM badge says I support the project with a donation.(and is able to do some testing on new versions). While a team badge shows that we support the project with the amount of time we commitment to it daily. SMF friends generally are past team members, but not all of them are. Some have helped SMF in other ways. Zef, wasn't ever officially on the team, but if you look at and page of SMF code, you should see his name.
There's many people who contribute to SMF. Just look @ the customize page. There's tons of themes,mods, built , packed and supported by SMF contributors with out an official team badge. Some of been asked in the past if they would like to join the team, and some have said no. Not because they didn't want to be on the team, because they were aware of the amount of time such a commitment takes, and not everyone is able to forfill it..
We are always looking. SMF is growing and new members are contributing every day. So if you are trying to get on the team, my advice is ask youself "do I have the time to commit?" and the keep contributing the way you have been. Trust me the team has already noticed.
j/kI forgot I even posted that...
Sarcasm aside. The way I see it is, everyone who contributes to the community is part of the team. The badge/title only reflect a level of commitment. A CM badge says I support the project with a donation.(and is able to do some testing on new versions). While a team badge shows that we support the project with the amount of time we commitment to it daily. SMF friends generally are past team members, but not all of them are. Some have helped SMF in other ways. Zef, wasn't ever officially on the team, but if you look at and page of SMF code, you should see his name.
There's many people who contribute to SMF. Just look @ the customize page. There's tons of themes,mods, built , packed and supported by SMF contributors with out an official team badge. Some of been asked in the past if they would like to join the team, and some have said no. Not because they didn't want to be on the team, because they were aware of the amount of time such a commitment takes, and not everyone is able to forfill it..
We are always looking. SMF is growing and new members are contributing every day. So if you are trying to get on the team, my advice is ask youself "do I have the time to commit?" and the keep contributing the way you have been. Trust me the team has already noticed.
all i can do is find and exploit bugs, unless of coarse you guys want me to report them and make mods to patch the holes 
If you find 'em, post 'em up in Bug Reports and we'll put 'em into the bug tracker to be patched.
If you can supply a fix, feel free, but don't feel obligated to have to
If you can supply a fix, feel free, but don't feel obligated to have to
If you have found a security issue in SMF, please use our Security Report page to report this rather than posting in a public forum.
Today, I decided to learn about Simple Machines, LLC. Learned a lot from what I've read.
But, there seems to be just one area missing. OS Specific Support.
Sometimes, there is an OS issue that is very hard to resolve that breaks part of how SMF works.
Example: PHP.ini settings not correct to allow for uploading of attachments. Linux and Windows version of PHP are no different, but MySQL, Apache and IIS behave different in the different environments, and all are dependent upon the OS on the server.
There are some of us who own our web, ftp and email servers, such as myself. Helping to configure the different environments for the proper functionality of PHP driven websites on the various operating systems is a definitely plus.
As an example, recently I either discovered a bug with my web server OS and/or email, or I've found a very obscure, yet stranger, bug. I was hosting 4 different SMF sites, 2 of which sent emails out and were received while the other 2 were not. Since then I've upgraded to the latest version of SMF.
Sorry, not looking for support for my example, but it is just that. Trying to figure out if it was my server or a strange rare, obscure but within SMF. Still haven't figured it out.
But, with all the different operating systems out there, and for users of SMF and owners of web servers, having a server support area would also be beneficial. While it will not be an overly popular area, there are some of us out there that could use this kind of support in ensuring that our web server configurations are set so that SMF will properly function.
While this is nothing more than an idea of a suggestion, I hope that SMF looks into this area as a possibility.
My server is a Red Hat Fedora Core 5 server with Apache 2.2.2, MySQL 5.0.27, PHP 5.1.6 and SendMail (the version will have to look this up at home).
But, there seems to be just one area missing. OS Specific Support.
Sometimes, there is an OS issue that is very hard to resolve that breaks part of how SMF works.
Example: PHP.ini settings not correct to allow for uploading of attachments. Linux and Windows version of PHP are no different, but MySQL, Apache and IIS behave different in the different environments, and all are dependent upon the OS on the server.
There are some of us who own our web, ftp and email servers, such as myself. Helping to configure the different environments for the proper functionality of PHP driven websites on the various operating systems is a definitely plus.
As an example, recently I either discovered a bug with my web server OS and/or email, or I've found a very obscure, yet stranger, bug. I was hosting 4 different SMF sites, 2 of which sent emails out and were received while the other 2 were not. Since then I've upgraded to the latest version of SMF.
Sorry, not looking for support for my example, but it is just that. Trying to figure out if it was my server or a strange rare, obscure but within SMF. Still haven't figured it out.
But, with all the different operating systems out there, and for users of SMF and owners of web servers, having a server support area would also be beneficial. While it will not be an overly popular area, there are some of us out there that could use this kind of support in ensuring that our web server configurations are set so that SMF will properly function.
While this is nothing more than an idea of a suggestion, I hope that SMF looks into this area as a possibility.
My server is a Red Hat Fedora Core 5 server with Apache 2.2.2, MySQL 5.0.27, PHP 5.1.6 and SendMail (the version will have to look this up at home).
Well alot of the team members already provide support for servers etc where they can, alot cant be done as most people dont have access as they are only on reseller, and those that do have server access usually know enough or know someone who knows enough ... for example on my site I have a developer who knows alot and alot of friends who help when we both are confused, granted most of my senior team are friends from here
Thanks, bookmarked and printed first post! I would love to help! (sorry for reviving a old topic)