We would like to announce a wave of changes that are aimed at substantially improving the open source ZenPack atmosphere. We need YOUR help to make it successful by embracing the new ways and using git / github!

If you take away one thing

Completely new process to sharing ZenPack code (See second bullet below)

Whats New?

Github repo seperation We have moved to many seperate repos held at github.com/zenoss <-- click to see them Used to be one large repository named 'Community-ZenPacks' Only accepting new code into Many Repos method See new instructions below...
Definitive ZenPack process guide How to create, setup, distribute and publish ZenPacks Replaces and integrates the popular PDF guide by phonegi Covers: Prepping a ZenPack, committng your code, pushing to github and best practices (watch screencast)
Google Form to submit ZenPacks No more emails - we aim to automate the process - this will help Feel free to email us when there are complications
Anyone can edit the ZenPack List Wiki-like editing for all Add your ZenPack to the list where everyone goes to get ZenPacks See link above to login and edit!
Backlogged ZenPacks All up on Github.com/zenoss

The Future

(potential directions)

• Automation, Automation, Automation
  • We want to automate as much of the process around ZenPacks as we can
  • This means less human error, immediate gratification, less work and a growing community!

• README's == jump page == documentation
  • We want the doc and download page to be developed and held IN the ZenPack itself.
  • Start putting markdown flavored ASCII documentation into your README, README.markdown, or README.txt's!

• Continuous Integration / QA
  • We want to build all ZenPacks every night and know which install and which do not
  • Quality and compatibility of community ZenPacks will increase

• Product Integration

  • zenpack --install http://github.com...

  • Button in UI to download ZenPacks from the cloud (github.com)
  • Button in UI to publish newly developed ZenPacks

Why should I learn Git / Github?

• Resume builder
  • Git is the future of Open Source software code management
  • Add it to your resume & use it at future jobs
• Encourages others to Edit
  • It eases looking at your code and even changing it
• Transparency
  • You will be able to see what others are developing in-progress
  • More easily get help from others when you are stuck
  • Github is a social platform; start working with others
• One Place
  • Code, versions, .egg downloads, documentation
• Instant Gratification
  • You will be able to reference your code and .egg as soon as you post to your personal github space
• Will excel the Zenoss ZenPack Community