Re: [Ksummit-discuss] [TECH TOPIC] QR encoded oops for the kernel

[Laurent Pinchart <laurent.pinchart@ideasonboard.com>]

On Sunday 11 May 2014 18:29:18 Levente Kurusa wrote:
> On Sun, May 11, 2014 at 08:57:01AM -0700, Sarah A Sharp wrote:
> > On Sat, May 10, 2014 at 9:14 PM, Jason Cooper wrote:
> > > All,
> > > 
> > > I recently came across a patch series attempting to implement encoding
> > > kernel oops into a QR code [1].  The QR code is then dumped to the
> > > 
> > > framebuffer.  The QR code is a URL of the form:
> > >   https://oops.kernel.org/?qr=<base64 compressed oops>
> > > 
> > > This proposal is interesting because it fundamentally changes the way
> > > users report bugs to the kernel community.  First and foremost, it makes
> > > it much easier.
> > > 
> > >   1) oops occurs
> > >   2) user pulls out phone, scans QR code
> > >       - at this point, the oops is recorded on the server.  Nothing more
> > >         is required of the user.
> 
> To be precise, most scanners don't automatically open the links
> found in QR codes and hence a tap/click from the user is required. :-)
> 
> > >   optionally:
> > >   
> > >   3) user fills out a minimal web form
> > >       - Name
> > >       - email address (do you want to receive emails re this oops?)
> > >       - what were you doing when it occurred?
> > >       - is it repeatable?
> > 
> > By "web form", do you mean a new form or something that's part of
> > kerneloops.org?
> > 
> > It would be great if we could allow users to open a new
> > bugzilla.kernel.org entry for the oops.  I believe Teodora is working
> > on an Android app that could do this.  Hopefully it could store
> > information about the person's system, and pre-propagate the bugzilla
> > entry with this information.
> 
> Yes, opening a bugzilla entry might be a good idea if the user fills
> out the form. To be honest, I think for that to work we would need to
> clean up bugzilla a bit. I try to do some work there every now and
> then, but nobody is closing the bugs I have fixed...
> 
> Not sure about how would we create the bugzilla entry? I mean, which
> section, urgency, etc. how would we decide on those solely based on
> the OOPS? Or should we ask the user to fill it out?

Filling a complex form on a handheld device can be pretty tedious. A two steps 
procedure that would allow entering long text on a real computer could be an 
interesting option.

> > > I recall discussing this with some RedHat devs at the 2012 KS, so I know
> > > there is some interest in this capability.
> > > 
> > > I'd be interested in having this as a tech topic for several reasons.
> > > First, to raise awareness of the project among the kernel community
> > > (where did all these oops reports start coming from?).  Second, to
> > > solicit opinions on how to feed those oops reports into the community.
> > > And last, to sit down with the maintainer of oops.kernel.org and scope
> > > out what work needs to be done to support this on the server side.
> > > 
> > > Of course, all of this assumes the patches get accepted.  There's been
> > > no rejections so far, though. :)
> > > 
> > > If accepted, I would expect the authors to be the ones leading the
> > > discussion (Levente, Teodora).
> > 
> > I would recommend that Teodora lead the discussion, since this is her
> > project.  Levente has been provided helpful commentary and additional
> > patches, and should definitely participate in the discussion as well.
> 
> I was just about to say that the order might not be the most correct. :-)
> 
> However, I am more than happy to help Teodora lead the discussion if
> she decides so.
> 
> > > Nominations:
> > > 
> > > Levente Kurusa <levex@linux.com>
> > > Teodora Băluţă <teobaluta@gmail.com>
> > > 
> > > Relevant folks:
> > > 
> > > Konstantin Ryabitsev <mricon@kernel.org>
> > > Jason Cooper <jason@lakedaemon.net>             (auto-nominated)
> > 
> > Another relevant person to include would be PJ Waskiewicz.  Teo worked
> > on the QR code generator during her internship with the FOSS Outreach
> > Program for Women (OPW) and PJ was her mentor for the project.
> > 
> > You mentioned the kerneloops.org maintainer, but didn't list him here?
> > 
> >  Anton Arapov looks to be the maintainer, since he's the only
> > 
> > contributor to the kerneloops.org github repo.
> > 
> > The idea for the oops QR code generator came from Peter Anvin and Dirk
> > Hohndel, so they may want to participate in the discussion as well.

-- 
Regards,

Laurent Pinchart