For 2015 ran our own program instead of GSoC ([https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-summer-privacy-apply-now-0 program announcement], [https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-summer-privacy-projects selected applications]).
For 2015 ran our own program instead of GSoC ([program announcement](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-summer-privacy-apply-now-0), [selected applications](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-summer-privacy-projects)).
* Blog posting (examples: [2012](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-google-summer-code-2012), [2013](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-google-summer-code-2013), [2014](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-google-summer-code-2014), [2016](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/tor-google-summer-code-2016))
* Email tor-talk@, tor-dev@, and libtech@ ([2013 example](https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-dev/2013-April/004621.html), [2014 example](https://lists.torproject.org/pipermail/tor-dev/2014-February/006321.html))
* Student Selection
* Initial pass through applications
* Flag spam applications
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@@ -611,13 +620,13 @@ The following is a cheat sheet for being an org admin for Google Summer of Code.
* Deduplication IRC meeting
* Student Acceptance
* Welcoming email
* After introductions are in make a blog post ([https://blog.torproject.org/blog/gsoc-2012-projects2012 example], [https://blog.torproject.org/blog/gsoc-2016-projects 2016 example])
* After introductions are in make a blog post ([2012 example](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/gsoc-2012-projects), [2016 example](https://blog.torproject.org/blog/gsoc-2016-projects))
= 2020 Application Form =
# 2020 Application Form
== Your Details ==
## Your Details
=== Why does your org want to participate in Google Summer of Code? ===
### Why does your org want to participate in Google Summer of Code?
We are excited to have the opportunity to participate in GSoC for 2020. We have been involved with GSoC since 2007 and have seen the benefits that participating in this program can provide, both for us as a hosting organization and the students themselves.
Tor has many open development tasks that are well-suited to summer projects, and also many students who are excited to work on them. As a non-profit, we are used to engaging with volunteers for standalone projects which then become part of the larger Tor ecosystem.
...
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@@ -626,11 +635,11 @@ In recent years, The Tor Project has continued to grow, offering interesting new
We were disappointed to not have been selected for the past few years and we are determined to submit an exciting new list of projects for 2020.
=== How many potential mentors have agreed to mentor this year? ===
### How many potential mentors have agreed to mentor this year?
1-5
=== How will you keep mentors engaged with their students? ===
### How will you keep mentors engaged with their students?
Each project that we are putting forward this year has been proposed by the mentor as something that they are invested in succeeding. Each of these mentors have been leading his or her own projects related to Tor, and they are the most suited for mentoring students working on those modules. Some of our mentors are actually former GSoC students!
...
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@@ -648,7 +657,7 @@ We will ensure that students have a regular check in time with their mentors in
We will also require our students to write bi-weekly status updates with the community to keep us informed of their progress.
=== How will you get your students involved in your community during GSoC? ===
### How will you get your students involved in your community during GSoC?
We encourage GSoC students to start off by interacting with us on IRC to help us get to know them and them to get to know our community.
...
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@@ -656,7 +665,7 @@ Tor already has an active community on IRC and the mailing lists, and there's al
Further, we require our students to introduce themselves to the community, and to make periodic status reports available in a public format. Each development team at Tor has weekly team meetings on IRC. GSoC students will be attached to a particular development team at Tor depending on their mentor and project and will be encouraged to participate in these weekly meetings to share their progress and any blockers on their project.
=== How will you keep students involved with your community after GSoC? ===
### How will you keep students involved with your community after GSoC?
We have quite a good track record of past GSoC mentees staying on as volunteers and contributing code, some have even ended up becoming core contributors to Tor.
...
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@@ -683,96 +692,96 @@ Yes
2016: 5/7
2017: 4/4
=== Refer an Organisation (optional) ===
### Refer an Organisation (optional)
''Is there an organization new to GSoC that you would like to refer to the program for 2020? Feel free to add a few words about why they'd be a good fit.''
_Is there an organization new to GSoC that you would like to refer to the program for 2020? Feel free to add a few words about why they'd be a good fit._
=== If your org has applied for GSoC before but not been accepted, select the years: ===
### If your org has applied for GSoC before but not been accepted, select the years:
2019, 2018 and 2015
=== What year was your project started? ===
### What year was your project started?
2002
=== Where does your source code live? ===
### Where does your source code live?
https://gitweb.torproject.org/
=== Is your organization part of any government? ===
### Is your organization part of any government?
No
=== Anything else we should know (optional)? ===
### Anything else we should know (optional)?
== Organisation Profile ==
## Organisation Profile
== Organisation Administrators ==
## Organisation Administrators
pili (Primary), arma (Backup 1), atagar (Backup 2)
== Organization (Public) Profile ==
## Organization (Public) Profile
=== Name ===
### Name
The Tor Project, Inc
=== Website url ===
### Website url
https://www.torproject.org/
=== Tagline ===
### Tagline
We defend your privacy online through free software and open networks.
=== Logo URL ===
### Logo URL
=== Primary Open Source License ===
### Primary Open Source License
BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License (BSD-3-Clause)
=== Organisation Category ===
### Organisation Category
Web - ''Change from last year when it was "Security"''
Web - _Change from last year when it was "Security"_
=== Technology tags ===
### Technology tags
c, python, javascript, rust
=== Topic tags ===
### Topic tags
security, privacy, anonymity, anti-censorship
=== Ideas list ===
### Ideas list
== Descriptions ==
## Descriptions
''See [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptionshttps://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptions] for an example of how these are used.''
_See [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptions](https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptions) for an example of how these are used._
=== Short description ===
### Short description
We are the Tor Project, a 501(c)3 US nonprofit. We advance human rights and defend your privacy online through free software and open networks.
=== Long Description ===
### Long Description
The Tor Project is a free-software non-profit project to build an anonymity toolkit used by individuals, companies, governments, and law enforcement around the world. The Tor network has grown since its start in 2002 to several million active users pushing over 60 Gbps of traffic. The Tor Project has a staff of 45 developers, researchers, and advocates, plus several dozen volunteers who help out on a daily basis.
== Proposals ==
## Proposals
=== Application Instructions ===
### Application Instructions
Please use the following template for your application:
- What project would you like to work on?''Use our ideas lists as a starting point or make up your own idea. Your proposal should include high-level descriptions of what you're going to do, with more details about the parts you expect to be tricky. Your proposal should also try to break down the project into tasks of a fairly fine granularity.''
- What project would you like to work on?_Use our ideas lists as a starting point or make up your own idea. Your proposal should include high-level descriptions of what you're going to do, with more details about the parts you expect to be tricky. Your proposal should also try to break down the project into tasks of a fairly fine granularity._
- Point us to a code sample: ideally from an existing project.
- Why do you want to work with The Tor Project in particular?
- Tell us about your experiences in free software development environments. ''We especially want to hear examples of how you have collaborated with others.''
- Tell us about your experiences in free software development environments. _We especially want to hear examples of how you have collaborated with others._
- Will your project need more work or maintenance after the summer ends? Is it likely you will stay and help out after?
- What is your ideal approach to keeping everybody informed of your progress, problems, and questions throughout the project?
- What school are you attending? What year are you, and what's your major/degree/focus? Please specify if you're part of a research group
- How can we contact you to ask you further questions? In addition, what's your IRC nickname? ''Interacting with us on IRC will help us get to know you, and help you get to know our community.''
- Are you applying to other projects for GSoC and, if so, what would be your preference if accepted to both? ''Having a stated preference will not impact if we accept your application or not.''
- How can we contact you to ask you further questions? In addition, what's your IRC nickname? _Interacting with us on IRC will help us get to know you, and help you get to know our community._
- Are you applying to other projects for GSoC and, if so, what would be your preference if accepted to both? _Having a stated preference will not impact if we accept your application or not._
pili (Primary), arma (Backup 1), atagar (Backup 2)
== Organization (Public) Profile ==
## Organization (Public) Profile
=== Name ===
### Name
The Tor Project, Inc
=== Website url ===
### Website url
https://www.torproject.org/
=== Tagline ===
### Tagline
We defend your privacy online through free software and open networks.
=== Logo URL ===
### Logo URL
[https://www.torproject.org//images/tor-logo.png]
=== Primary Open Source License ===
### Primary Open Source License
BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License (BSD-3-Clause)
=== Organisation Category ===
### Organisation Category
Security
=== Technology tags ===
### Technology tags
c, python, javascript
=== Topic tags ===
### Topic tags
security, privacy, anonymity, anti-censorship
=== Ideas list ===
### Ideas list
https://www.torproject.org/about/gsoc.html.en
== Descriptions ==
## Descriptions
''See [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptionshttps://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptions] for an example of how these are used.''
_See [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptions](https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/help/org-profile#descriptions) for an example of how these are used._
=== Short description ===
### Short description
We are the Tor Project, a 501(c)3 US nonprofit. We advance human rights and defend your privacy online through free software and open networks.
=== Long Description ===
### Long Description
The Tor Project is a free-software non-profit project to build an anonymity toolkit used by individuals, companies, governments, and law enforcement around the world. The Tor network has grown since its start in 2002 to several million active users pushing over 60 Gbps of traffic. The Tor Project has a staff of 45 developers, researchers, and advocates, plus several dozen volunteers who help out on a daily basis.
== Proposals ==
## Proposals
=== Application Instructions ===
### Application Instructions
Please use the following template for your application:
- What project would you like to work on?''Use our ideas lists as a starting point or make up your own idea. Your proposal should include high-level descriptions of what you're going to do, with more details about the parts you expect to be tricky. Your proposal should also try to break down the project into tasks of a fairly fine granularity.''
- What project would you like to work on?_Use our ideas lists as a starting point or make up your own idea. Your proposal should include high-level descriptions of what you're going to do, with more details about the parts you expect to be tricky. Your proposal should also try to break down the project into tasks of a fairly fine granularity._
- Point us to a code sample: ideally from an existing project.
- Why do you want to work with The Tor Project in particular?
- Tell us about your experiences in free software development environments. ''We especially want to hear examples of how you have collaborated with others.''
- Tell us about your experiences in free software development environments. _We especially want to hear examples of how you have collaborated with others._
- Will your project need more work or maintenance after the summer ends? Is it likely you will stay and help out after?
- What is your ideal approach to keeping everybody informed of your progress, problems, and questions throughout the project?
- What school are you attending? What year are you, and what's your major/degree/focus? Please specify if you're part of a research group
- How can we contact you to ask you further questions? In addition, what's your IRC nickname? ''Interacting with us on IRC will help us get to know you, and help you get to know our community.''
- Are you applying to other projects for GSoC and, if so, what would be your preference if accepted to both? ''Having a stated preference will not impact if we accept your application or not.''
- How can we contact you to ask you further questions? In addition, what's your IRC nickname? _Interacting with us on IRC will help us get to know you, and help you get to know our community._
- Are you applying to other projects for GSoC and, if so, what would be your preference if accepted to both? _Having a stated preference will not impact if we accept your application or not._
=== Why does your org want to participate in Google Summer of Code? ===
### Why does your org want to participate in Google Summer of Code?
We are excited to have the opportunity to once again participate in Google Summer of Code for 2019. We have been involved with GSoC since 2007 and have seen the benefits that participating in this program can provide, both for us as a hosting organization and the students themselves.
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@@ -916,7 +925,7 @@ Tor has many open development tasks that are well-suited to summer projects, and
In recent years, The Tor Project has continued to grow, offering interesting new opportunities for summer projects. We expect to attract as many smart students as we have done in previous years.
=== How will you keep mentors engaged with their students? ===
### How will you keep mentors engaged with their students?
Each project that we are putting forward this year has been proposed by the mentor as something that they are invested in succeeding. Each of these mentors have been leading his or her own projects related to Tor, and they are the most suited for mentoring students working on those modules. Some of our mentors are actually former GSoC students!
...
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@@ -924,7 +933,7 @@ We have a structure in place, from our many years of previous participation in G
We additionally plan to assign two mentors per student to provide redundancy in case anything goes wrong. In general, our chosen mentors are Tor staff or have been working on Tor for multiple years now (and for many of them, it's their full or part time job).
=== How will you help your students stay on schedule to complete their projects? ===
### How will you help your students stay on schedule to complete their projects?
We understand that in order for students to stay on schedule they need to be engaged and invested in their projects, we hope to capitalise on this by picking students who have already demonstrated commitment and/or interest to our community. Further, having multiple mentors per student can hopefully give us a better shot at keeping the students' on track.
...
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@@ -934,7 +943,7 @@ We will ensure that students have a regular check in time with their mentors in
We will also require our students to write bi-weekly status updates with the community to keep us informed of their progress.
=== How will you get your students involved in your community during GSoC? ===
### How will you get your students involved in your community during GSoC?
We encourage GSoC students to start off by interacting with us on IRC to help us get to know them and them to get to know our community.
...
...
@@ -942,21 +951,21 @@ Tor already has an active community on IRC and the mailing lists, and there's al
Further, we require our students to introduce themselves to the community, and to make periodic status reports available in a public format.
=== How will you keep students involved with your community after GSoC? ===
### How will you keep students involved with your community after GSoC?
We have quite a good track record of past GSoC mentees staying on as volunteers and contributing code, some have even ended up becoming core contributors to Tor.
From past experience, the students that were most invested in their project and our development community were the most likely to stick around after the GSoC program ended. Our plan is to encourage them to actively participate in discussions and connect with the community throughout the course of GSoC in order to improve their chances of staying on after the summer has ended.
=== Has your org been accepted as a mentor org in Google Summer of Code before? ===
### Has your org been accepted as a mentor org in Google Summer of Code before?
=== For each year your organization has participated, provide the counts of successful and total students. (e.g. 2016: 3/4) ===
### For each year your organization has participated, provide the counts of successful and total students. (e.g. 2016: 3/4)
2007: 4/4
2008: 4/7
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@@ -969,23 +978,23 @@ Yes.
2016: 5/7
2017: 4/4
=== If your org has applied for GSoC before but not been accepted, select the years: ===
### If your org has applied for GSoC before but not been accepted, select the years:
2018 and 2015
=== What year was your project started? ===
### What year was your project started?
2002
=== Where does your source code live? ===
### Where does your source code live?
https://gitweb.torproject.org/
=== Anything else we should know (optional)? ===
### Anything else we should know (optional)?
= Archived questions and answers =
== If you chose "veteran" in the dropdown above, please summarize your involvement and the successes and challenges of your participation. Please also list your pass/fail rate for each year. ==
## If you chose "veteran" in the dropdown above, please summarize your involvement and the successes and challenges of your participation. Please also list your pass/fail rate for each year.
We participated in GSoC 2007 through 2014. In 2007 we had a pretty successful group of four students. We had one student working on making Tor servers scale better (and not crash!) on Windows, one working on a library and tool to choose paths through the network according to various rules like "cross at most one ocean", one working on a fuzzing library to look for parsing problems (it's found three so far), and one working on a new way to improve scalability and privacy for Tor hidden services. All four passed and have produced useful code.
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@@ -1013,41 +1022,41 @@ In 2013 we had 7 students, 2014 had 13 students, and ran the program in a simila
Stats for the success rate in prior years is: 4/4 in 2007, 4/7 in 2008, 5/6 in 2009, 5/6 in 2010, 7/7 in 2011, 5/6 in 2012, 6/7 in 2013, and 9/13 in 2014.
== Why is your organization applying to participate in GSoC 2014? What do you hope to gain by participating? ==
## Why is your organization applying to participate in GSoC 2014? What do you hope to gain by participating?
Tor has many open development tasks that are well-suited to summer projects, and also many students who are excited to work on them. GSoC can help these students work on important new free software work while also paying rent. In recent years The Tor Project has continued to grow, offering interesting new opportunities for summer projects. We expect to attract smart students as we did in prior years.
== What is the main development mailing list for your organization? ==
## What is the main development mailing list for your organization?
== What is the main IRC channel for your organization? ==
## What is the main IRC channel for your organization?
irc://irc.oftc.net/tor-dev/
== Twitter URL ==
## Twitter URL
https://twitter.com/torproject
== What criteria did you use to select your mentors for this year's program? Please be as specific as possible. ==
## What criteria did you use to select your mentors for this year's program? Please be as specific as possible.
Seth Schoen, Peter Eckersley, and Micah Lee, and Dan Auerbach are EFF Staff as listed on http://www.eff.org/about/staff. The remaining individuals have each worked with Tor, most of them for several years, and most of them are in the "core development team" listed on https://www.torproject.org/about/corepeople. Each individual has been leading his or her own projects related to Tor, and they are the most suited for mentoring students working on those modules. Note that five of our mentors and two of our admins are former GSoC students.
== What is your plan for dealing with disappearing students? ==
## What is your plan for dealing with disappearing students?
We hope to minimize the chances of disappearing students by picking students who have already demonstrated commitment and/or interest to our community. Further, having multiple mentors per student can hopefully give us a better shot at keeping the students' interest.
We want to learn about disappearing students as early as possible. Therefore, we are planning to require our students to write bi-weekly status updates to keep us informed of their progress.
== What is your plan for dealing with disappearing mentors? ==
## What is your plan for dealing with disappearing mentors?
Our plan is to assign two mentors per student to provide redundancy in case anything goes wrong. In general, our chosen mentors are EFF's staff or have been working on Tor for multiple years now (and for many of them, it's their full or part time job), so they're unlikely to just disappear.
== What steps will you take to encourage students to interact with your project's community before and during the program? ==
## What steps will you take to encourage students to interact with your project's community before and during the program?
Tor already has an active community on IRC and the mailing lists, and there's also an active research community of scientists trying to improve security of systems like Tor. We can draw on this community---the current active Tor volunteers as well as the graduate and undergraduate students at the research institutions. Further, we require our students to introduce themselves to the community, and to make periodic status reports available in a public format.
== What will you do to encourage that your accepted students stick with the project after Google Summer of Code concludes? ==
## What will you do to encourage that your accepted students stick with the project after Google Summer of Code concludes?
In past years the students that stuck around afterward were the ones most invested in their project and our development community. We plan to encourage them to actively participate in discussions and connect with the community to improve their chances of staying on after the summer has ended.
