I think the process for becoming a packager is really rusty. We currently require to
submit a valid package review submission AND to find a sponsor AND to prove them
you're able "to convince an existing sponsor-level member that you understand and
follow the project's guidelines and processes".
The latest part seems quite subjective to me. Moreover, it's becoming harder and
harder for the few sponsors to follow all the requests: look at the approved package
submissions list [1] where a lot of those are stuck waiting for a sponsor.
So, what about moving the sponsorship part to use an entry test? We could setup a standard
test with a bunch of questions about the packaging process, the package maintaining
process and some flawed .spec files that the applicant should fix.
I don't think we would need an app to run this, just a place from where the applicant
can download the test and maybe an email address with limited access to sponsors where the
applicant submits their answers.
What do you think?
Mattia
[1]
https://fedoraproject.org/PackageReviewStatus/in_progress.html