Hello Everyone!
I'm Spyros (hopefully)one of the gsoc students.
The project is to integrate information element syntax for various information in the packets and as a consequence implement backwards compatibility.
there is a number of ways to do this though and since it affects most of you (every info should be transmited in information element syntax) it would be good if you shared your opinions.
To get us started there is a wiki page http://www.open-mesh.org/wiki/batman-adv/BackwardsCompatibility which briefly explains the concept
Thank you, Spyros