Will Senn
2020-07-27 21:17:13 UTC
I'm not sure I'm buying, this, but I saw it linked to on Dragonfly BSD Digest and found it intriguing. What do y'all make of it?
https://www.fossjobs.net/job/10226/specification-writer-at-infocom-llc/
This is part of a clean room reverse engineering project. This position operates outside the clean room.
In this position you will be provided with the source code for a proprietary assembler that consists of slightly under 4,000 lines of code. The source code you will study was written in assembly language to run on the TOPS-20 operating system on the PDP-10 mainframe computer. You will need know this assembly language or be willing to learn. It is likely that you will need to install an emulator to run TOPS-20 and to build and run the assembler so as to further study the software. Candidates that already have this knowledge are preferred but it is acknowledged that such people can be difficult to find for such legacy systems.
In this position you will play an important role by writing a functional specification document that describes the functions, program flow, error handling, and other information of the assembler that the person operating inside the clean room will need to know to develop a compatible replacement program. The replacement program is expected to be able to process the same input files and to generate bit-identical output files.
You will be expected to work with an attorney who will review the documentation to ensure that no copyrightable information is included in what goes into the clean room. This may include sending the documentation back to you along with feedback asking for revisions.
The final specification will be made available under GPL-3.0-or-later. The software developed inside the clean room will be released under AGPL-3.0-or-later.
You can be located anywhere in the world and you can choose your own hours, as long as requirements are met.
Qualifications:
Proven working experience in technical writing of software documentation
Computer programming background
Knowledge of editors and tools
Excellent communication and writing skills in English
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality documentation
Able to work independently
Applications must be submitted via email to frontdesk at infocom.xyz. A complete application should include a résumé, cover letter with salary expectations, and a writing sample (1000 words or less.)
All materials must be in a free format (such as plain text, PDF, or OpenDocument, and not Microsoft Word). Email submissions that do not follow these instructions will probably be overlooked.
https://www.fossjobs.net/job/10226/specification-writer-at-infocom-llc/
This is part of a clean room reverse engineering project. This position operates outside the clean room.
In this position you will be provided with the source code for a proprietary assembler that consists of slightly under 4,000 lines of code. The source code you will study was written in assembly language to run on the TOPS-20 operating system on the PDP-10 mainframe computer. You will need know this assembly language or be willing to learn. It is likely that you will need to install an emulator to run TOPS-20 and to build and run the assembler so as to further study the software. Candidates that already have this knowledge are preferred but it is acknowledged that such people can be difficult to find for such legacy systems.
In this position you will play an important role by writing a functional specification document that describes the functions, program flow, error handling, and other information of the assembler that the person operating inside the clean room will need to know to develop a compatible replacement program. The replacement program is expected to be able to process the same input files and to generate bit-identical output files.
You will be expected to work with an attorney who will review the documentation to ensure that no copyrightable information is included in what goes into the clean room. This may include sending the documentation back to you along with feedback asking for revisions.
The final specification will be made available under GPL-3.0-or-later. The software developed inside the clean room will be released under AGPL-3.0-or-later.
You can be located anywhere in the world and you can choose your own hours, as long as requirements are met.
Qualifications:
Proven working experience in technical writing of software documentation
Computer programming background
Knowledge of editors and tools
Excellent communication and writing skills in English
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality documentation
Able to work independently
Applications must be submitted via email to frontdesk at infocom.xyz. A complete application should include a résumé, cover letter with salary expectations, and a writing sample (1000 words or less.)
All materials must be in a free format (such as plain text, PDF, or OpenDocument, and not Microsoft Word). Email submissions that do not follow these instructions will probably be overlooked.