Free Softwareyour chance to change the world and how to

get there

Lydia Pintscher (@nightrose)

WTH is Free Software?

Freedom to:

● use

● study

● modify

● re-distribute

Who here has used Free Software?

Who here has contributed to Free Software?

Why

sho

uld

you

do it

?

Make a difference!

● disaster management● anonymous communication● assistive technology● internationalisation and localisation● recording human rights violations and

election manipulation● climate science and environmental

conservation● hospital management● knowledge sharing/education● ...

How can you do it?

two ways to get into Free Software

structuredunstructured

● Google Summer of Code

● GNOME Outreach Program for Women

● Season of KDE

● X.Org Endless Vacation of Code

● ...

choose a project you use and like

all projects need help(not all realize it though)

choose an area you like

look for a get involved page

lurk for a while

start doing stuff(look for junior jobs)

some tips

be realistic about your skills

Open Hatch Codecademy

start small

get comfortable in the open

meet people

be visible and talk about what you are doing

help others(you're not alone)

give credit where credit is due

take on responsibility (and do not disappoint)

don't give up

open-advice.org

Go out and do it!

Questions?!@nightrose

Oh and btw: Your mother was right. Sharing is good.