What is the Ubuntu Manual Project?
The Ubuntu Manual Project Team is responsible for the Getting Started with Ubuntu book. This a comprehensive beginner’s guide for the Ubuntu operating system. It is written under an open source license and is free for you to download, read, modify, and share.
The manual is aimed at new users of Ubuntu to help them become familiar with everyday tasks such as surfing the web, listening to music, and scanning documents. With an emphasis on easy-to-follow instructions, it is suitable for all levels of experience.
Available positions
We are currently trying to fill the following roles:
These missing roles have meant that the project has not moved forward as we would have liked.
How to apply for these roles
Please provide responses to all the questions below and email them to jobs@ubuntu-manual.org.
- Full name
- Contact email address
- Role you are applying for
- Describe any relevant experience you have in as much detail as possible
- Describe why you think you should be considered for this position
- What you would do in this role (e.g., how you would improve the release process or how you would engage the community
The closing date for applications is Friday, 11 March 2011 at 20:00 UTC.
Project leader
The Ubuntu Manual project leader is responsible for guiding and directing the project. The project leader’s responsibilities include:
- Promoting the project in the community.
- Recruiting new project members.
- Scheduling regular meetings.
- Release Planning.
- Motivating project members.
- Providing vision (and blueprints) for the project.
The project leader should have the following qualifications:
- Be Self-motivated.
- Good at managing people.
- Have a firm grasp of American English.
- Be able to guide and direct the project.
Editor in chief
The editor in chief is responsible for the overall quality and content of the manual and ensures that it is published in a timely fashion. The editor in chief manages the chapter editors and authors. The editor in chief must commit to the following duties for the duration of the release cycle (approximately six months):
- Check spelling, grammar, writing style, and factual accuracy.
- Track changes between previous and current Ubuntu releases and ensure that the current edition of the manual reflects those changes.
- Motivate and coordinate with the chapter authors/editors to contribute in a timely fashion.
- Provide regular status updates to the mailing list.
- Ensure proper attribution for text that has been copied from other (CC-licensed) sources.
- Maintain the list of credits (authors, editors, translators, designers, etc.).
- Verify that all screenshots and graphics are correct.
- Gives the final go-ahead to publish the online and print versions of the manual.
The editor in chief should have the following qualifications:
- Be Self-motivated.
- Good at managing people (namely chapter authors and editors).
- Have a firm grasp of American English.
- Fully understand the Ubuntu Manual Style Guide.
- Be able to run alpha and beta releases of Ubuntu.
Additional Information
Please note that we are a community project, and these roles are unpaid.
IT Igloo 
When I read jobs, I think it means that you would be paying the person a stipend or a monthly paycheck.
Did you people get any sponsors for this?
This is a community project that is not funded. The roles are also not paid.
Thanks
Chris
Then the topic should have been “Ubuntu Manual position opening” or “Ubuntu Manual responsibilities opening”. RIght now the title is misleading
American English? That requirement is offensive to me as a British person. If you need a firm handle of English, then so be it. But to require a firm understanding of a particular arbitrary adoration is just rude.
It’s not like Americans can’t read proper English and visa-versa. And since the differences between both are well understood and well documented; it should be trivial to convert them. It’s not as if you’ll be adding references to baseball and need an editor who knows how many innings in a game.
Martin,
I am myself, British. Therefore I can understand your point. Our requirement for American English is because the book is primarily written in American English with all the associated grammar rules. This is also true of the Ubuntu Documentation Team. Please see the Ubuntu Documentation Team Style Guide.
Our requirement for American English does not rule out other variants of English. It merely requires an understanding of the differences.
We meant no offence. I hope you understand?
Thanks
Chris
I understand, but I am still sad. I don’t mind American grammar rules, but of course that’s not what you asked for in the job posting.
English (understanding American rules important, because they’ve taken over the internet imperially even though 5 billion people have English British as their English variant and only 400 million use American English) etc etc. 😉
What does “have a firm grasp of American English” mean to you?
American English – Grammar, spelling, social norms, cultural cues and American references.
The grammar is actually better in American English. More structured and defined. But I wouldn’t be caught dead advocating for American spelling or cultural references.
Wow, your notion of ‘language’ encompasses a lot more than mine. My idea of language includes only the first two items in your list. I don’t conflate language with a particular culture (though language and culture certainly influence one another).
To be clear, we’re looking for folks who are familiar with American English grammar and spelling. We try to avoid cultural references and idioms as it makes it more difficult for non-native speakers to understand and for translators to, well, translate.
As someone who’s written software to parse and interpret natural American English, I can tell you that the grammar isn’t nearly as regular as I’d like! With regard to spelling, I prefer the British English spelling of some words and the American English spelling of others.
The title of this post is wrong:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_gb0430800?rskey=ukoAu2&result=2#m_en_gb0430800
“Job” implies “paid”.