Step 1: Officially Join the Joomla! Bug Squad

Thanks to each of you who volunteered to help with the finalization of Joomla! 1.6.

As of this moment, there are 45 volunteers! It is encouraging to see the community step forward in this way. This morning, Nicholas Dionysopoulos and I were talking about how best to assist the group to get the tools, knowledge and support needed to be a successful member of the Joomla! Bug Squad.

We want to make certain that everyone who wants to participate is assisted and successful. Later this week, we will announce times for orientation sessions. We are using a Google spreadsheet to track everyone's progress through this orientation process and ask for your assistance to update your own information.

Today, we will focus on the steps needed to get started.

1. Jump into our Orientation Skype Group Chat where folks are gathering. If you are not already a member, you can add me (AmyStephen) or Robert Vining (robert_vining) on Skype and we will add you to the group. This Skype chat is a temporary group established for the purpose of helping you get acquainted with others who are also participating and have support learning what you need to know to help with the squad.

2. Set up an ID on Joomlacode.

- Point your browser to http://joomlacode.org/
- Click the Register new account in the Upper Right Corner.
- Fill out the form and press Submit.
- Respond to the email verification.
- Update the spreadsheet with your Joomlacode ID

3. Send an email request to Mark Dexter ( dextercowley AT gmail DOT com ) requesting membership in the Joomla! Bug Squad and provide him your Joomlacode ID.

4. Check out the Joomla! Bug Squad Mailing List. Mark will add you to the list so that you can participate in discussions.

5. Jump into the Joomla! Bug Squad IRC. Feel free to introduce yourself and let others know you are joining the Bug Squad. This is the location people work together, ask questions about bugs and find out what direction to head. (And here is a log for the IRC.)

6. Check out the Joomla! 1.6 Issue Tracker. This is where the Bug Squad works. People (including you) report problems by creating new issue reports. Squad members work the issue reports using the Status listbox to identify what is needed. Later, we will share dates and times of orientation sessions designed to teach you to use this tool in your own fight against bugs.

7. Check out the Joomla! 1.6 Beta and use the document provided by Andrew Eddie to walk through the application and understand changes made.

8. Read Louis Landry's article entitled Joomla! 1.6 Development Shifting Gears so that you are aware of the process underway and are better able to support the development team.

9. Update the spreadsheet adding your Joomlacode ID (username), status update regarding sending Mark Dexter a request to join the Bug Squad, and response from Mark as to whether or not your username has been activated for Bug Squad duty.

10. Watch for an announcement of our orientation sessions to be scheduled yet this week.

Thanks very much for your willingness to contribute to Joomla!. Feel free to ask questions in the comments or via Skype.