= Django sprints =

== What is a sprint? ==

Basically, a Django sprint is an excuse for people to focus their undivided attention, for a set time frame, on improving Django. It's a focused, scheduled effort to test, fix bugs, add new features and improve documentation.

Anybody, anywhere around the world, can participate and contribute. (See the "How to contribute" section below for details.) Most contributors will be at their own homes/schools/workplaces, but a number of people will gather together in person for camaraderie, improved communication and the other benefits of face-to-face interaction.

For more information Brett Cannon gave an excellent introduction to Sprinting talk at PyCon, and [http://blip.tv/file/2082162 a video of it is available].

If you've never contributed to Django before, a sprint is the perfect chance for you to chip in.

== Hosting == 
 If you'd like to host a sprint, see SprintHostingHowto.


== Upcoming development sprints ==

 * 11 Dec 2009 - 13 Dec 2009
   * [wiki:Sprint200912TriangleNC Triangle area of North Carolina]
   * Your sprint location here. (Copy SprintTemplate and name it Sprint20091211YourLocation with your details.) 
 * 9 Jan 2010 - 10 Jan 2010
   * [wiki:Sprint20101Chicago Chicago]
   * Your sprint location here. (Copy SprintTemplate and name it Sprint20100109YourLocation with your details.) 

== Latest development sprints ==
   
   See PastSprints

== How to contribute == 

It's easy: Pick something to work on and do it. All sorts of tasks are available, from hard-core hacking to improving documentation to fixing small bugs.

Volunteers looking to get an early start should take a look at the SprintIdeas page.

== Preparing for the sprint ==

Here are a few easy things you can do ahead of time to make sure your time is spent effectively:

 * Read our [http://www.djangoproject.com/documentation/contributing/ "Contributing to Django" document].
 * [http://www.djangoproject.com/documentation/install/#installing-the-development-version Install the "trunk" version of Django] (aka the Django development version).
 * [http://www.djangoproject.com/accounts/register/ Create an account in our ticket system]. This will allow you to claim tickets you're working on.
 * Familiarize yourself with our [http://code.djangoproject.com/wiki/Reports ticket system and reports].
 * Get an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat IRC] client, so that you can join us in the channel [irc://irc.freenode.net/django-sprint #django-sprint] on Freenode.

== Attendees ==

If you plan to attending a sprint in person, please RSVP; each individual sprint page linked above wil give you instructions about how to do so.