Black&White Project/grant request

Dear WMCH Board members

Kiwix is a software project whose main activity is to provide software binaries and packages directly executable on end users computers. To get from the developed source code to a new release, we need to compile and package Kiwix for many of our supported systems and architectures. This job is still done manually : but with the multiplication of operating
systems, architectures, test stagings, and the global acceleration of the whole development process, this starts to be really time consuming. Consequently, we need  to automatize this part as much as possible. This is the way to follow, if we want to provide high quality releases and release regularly.

So, we want to setup a solution which will automatically make the dozens of builds and packages as often as necessary.  Such a solution already exists for many middle sized free software projects. This is the "black" side of this grant request because it does not directly benefit to the users.

At the same time, we want our end users to benefit from such a new tool as soon as possible. This is why, in the same project, we would like to add the perfect support for the x86_64 bits platforms and also for Sugar (the system used by
the XO computers of the project OLPC). This is the "bright" side of the grant request as this will really help us to give the adequate answer to a growing number of user requests and also give us a good opportunity in term of public relations.

We want to organize the work in 3 sprints:

1 - Kiwix for Sugar:
* Portage of Kiwix for Sugar (100% finished, directly usable without major bug)
* Re-design of the user interface for a perfect integration and match of sugar guidelines.
* Compatibility with Sugar jurnal
* Documentation in the wiki of the sugar foundation
* Furniture for a .xo file
* Integration of Kiwix as a Sugar-activity

2 - Compilation Farm:
* Free Software Compilation Farm running with free virtual machines nodes (qemu, virtualbox, ...)
* Centralized Web administration interface allowing to start/follow/debug the compilations
* Centralized Web Repository providing the builds
* Notification system per email and feed.
* Full documentation of the setup (creation and usage - especially adding a new node)
* Possibility to choose what should be compiled (trunk, special branch, ...)

3 - Automatic compilation of (architecture=x86):
* DVD launcher and installer for Windows 32/64 bits
* Kiwix for Windows 32/64 bits
* Kiwix static for GNU/Linux 32/64 bits
* Kiwix dmg for OSX 32/64 bits
* Kiwix static (portable ZIP files) for Windows, MacOSX and GNU/Linux 32/64 bits
* Debian unstable package for 32 et 64 bits in the official Debian repository

The Yeleman Company (Bamako-Mali, directed by Renaud Gaudin), which knows Kiwix source code very well, proposes us to do the job for 10.000 CHF. The realisation of the whole project would take 4 months and would be supervised by Emmanuel Engelhart (creator and lead developer of Kiwix) and a member of WMCH. Payment would be done after validation by both supervisers of each sprint.

If you want to know more:
* Yeleman official Web site:http://www.yeleman.com/
* Kiwix presentation document (in French): http://www.kiwix.org/images/6/6f/Kiwix_presentation_fr.pdf
* Kiwix official Web site:http://www.kiwix.org

I hope this request for grant will be welcome. We are waiting for your feedback.
I'm any time available for any requests concerning additional information about this grant request.

Best regards
Emmanuel Engelhart