Postmortem and lessons learned for Linaro's release 2012.02

https://wiki.linaro.org/Cycles/1202/Release/Review

Highlights and Key Successes ============================

By using proper image builds and validation with LAVA the Linaro Developer Platform can ensure all images are properly tested as soon they are published. A new proposal for the linux-linaro tree was introduced which will make the linux-linaro tree the single reference for kernel work at Linaro and should always be working against latest upstream RC release.

The Linaro Developer Platform team will now be responsible for packaging and maintenance of all the LT kernel flavours. Responsibilities will include validating the kernel daily with LAVA, and only publishing the kernels (which pass validation testing) to be used by the LEB images (until the new linux-linaro tree is in place).

During February 6-10 Linaro hosted Linaro Connect Q1.12. Rounding out the event were daily plenary, planning, and hacking sessions which attendees were encouraged to attend and take part in. This event was the largest Linaro Connect to date and was highlighted by the participation of community members and other external attendees, notably from Google. The event also hosted "Demo Friday" where once again the public was invited to participate in hands-on demonstrations of Linaro developments. Some demos can be seen on Linaro's Youtube channel:

Ubuntu TV Demo on ARM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpIFaAxyFGE&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

XBMC on ST-ERICSSON's Snowball http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14p-WOFAWWw&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

Linaro was also well represented at Embedded Linux Conference with a very high percentage of presentations given by Linaro team member or seconders.

For links to highlights from Linaro Connect and ELC please go to the bottom of this announcement.

Postmortem and Lessons Learned ==============================

This cycle was the shortest that Linaro release has encountered, and this presented some challenges. The small number of development and planning days, along with interruptions by Linaro Connect, ELC and ABS contributed to a smaller production of deliverables from the team. There was a loss of focus as people dealt with fractured development cycle, jet lag and the shorter work sprint.

A solution discussed to mitigate this problem is that for short cycles, a different type of planning should be applied that is focused more on bug-fixing and the backlog, rather than larger ambitious deliverables.

The Android team has been doing a large amount of kernel development and has suggested the addition of some sort of kernel resources for iMX53, Origen and, possibly Snowball.

Links =====

-= Highlights from this Linaro Connect =-

Plenary Sessions:

David Rusling, Linaro CTO, Phase III Plenary Presentation at Linaro Connect Q1.12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSoCCRF7Hl0&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

George Grey, Linaro CEO, Plenary Presentation at Linaro Connect Q1.12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl4Yr9rf7fQ&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

Kiko, Linaro Engineering VP: ARM, the new mainstream http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Ox3wWOWTw&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

Linaro Connect Plenary: Andrea Gallo of ST-ERICSSON http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WnsPPq_A50&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

Tim Bird of the Linux Foundation at Linaro Connect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dub3HgezCAs&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

Interviews:

Linaro Connect: Patrik Klinger Talks Snowball & The Igloo Community http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxYdyEEb9X4&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

Tim Bird and David Rusling Chat at Linaro Connect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgdTzBl-3wQ&list=UUAl2MfCBjH5y0nIym0ujHfg...

-= Highlights from ELC =-

http://video.linux.com/videos/ubuntu-on-arm-improvements-and-optimizations-d...

http://video.linux.com/videos/dma-buffer-sharing-an-introduction

http://www.cnx-software.com/2012/02/25/binary_blobs_attack-elc-2012/

http://video.linux.com/videos/what-android-and-embedded-linux-can-learn-from...

For these and other presentations from ELC please visit http://video.linux.com/categories/2012-embedded-linux-conference