Free and Open Source Software for New Contributors:
How to Get Started and Stay Involved
Leslie HawthornFree Software & Linux Days, IstanbulApril 2, 2010hawthornlandings.org
The Standard Disclaimer
These are my opinions based on my experiences with the FOSS community, not those of any past or future employer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricksphotos/898175328/
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Step One
Choose a Project
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fogus/2630034908/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwennypics/169517349/
So You Have a Few Ideas
Now What?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyafrica/4074611525/
Understand Project Values
Codes of ConductUbuntu's is widely referenced and remixedBe considerate, be respectful, be collaborative
Unwritten Codes of Conduct
Does this project share your values?
Understand Project Values (cont'd)
Diversity StatementsWe welcome people of any gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, size, nationality, sexual orientation, ability level, neurotype, religion, culture, subculture, and political opinion. We welcome activists, artists, bloggers, crafters, dilettantes, musicians, photographers, readers, writers, ordinary people, extraordinary people, and everyone in between. We welcome people who want to change the world, people who want to keep in touch with friends, people who want to make great art, and people who just need a break after work. We welcome fans, geeks, nerds, and pixel-stained technopeasant wretches. We welcome Internet beginners who aren't sure what any of those terms refer to.
Spend Some Time on the Project's Website
Start with the About Page
Find (or Ask For) Newbie Documentation
Source Code & Developer Documentation
Observe How Developers Use Comments
Review Style/Coding Guidelines
Mailing Lists are Critical
Browse the archivesYou can't read everything search!
Determine the key players
Asking QuestionsWrite a useful subject line
Show you've done your research
Wait for an answer
Basic Netiquette
Choose a Reasonable Handle
Don't Use Text Speak
Be Formal in Your First Few Posts
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4braham/4178258504/
What is Top Posting?
I really want a pink and yellow pony!!>> What kind of pony would you like?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enigmatic/4037030223/
Learn to Love IRC
IRC = Internet Relay Chat
Read Channel Topic
Observe Traffic
Don't Ask to Ask
Wait for an Answer
Lurking ++
http://www.flickr.com/photos/minghan/479815487/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetruthabout/3019931963/
You've Found Your Tribe
Ways to Get Involved
For Everyone
File Bugs
Write Effective Bug ReportsWhat you were doing
What you thought should happen
What happened instead
Software & hardware specs
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/482054617/
For Developers
Check the Issue Tracker for Easy or Beginner Bugs
Submit a Patch
For Everyone
Triage Bugs
Answer Questions in IRC
Point People in the Right Direction
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/285112924/
But Wait,
I'm Not Technical (Enough)
Free and Open Source Software Needs All Kinds of Contributors
For Writers
Hint: Not Just for Writers
Offer to Document Information You Get
Press Releases and Newsletters
Testimonials & Developer / User Interviews
For Artists
Logos
Project Banners for Conferences
Web Design
Fan Art ++
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nitot/3038135565//
For Marketers
Hint: Marketing is Not a Dirty Word
Project Presentation
Collateral: Data Sheets, Project Brochures
Social Media
Swag!
You Don't Have to be This Dude to Do Marketing//
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mshades/2079611269/
For the Socially Inclined
Also Known As People Who Like People in Real Life
Join or Start a Local User Group
Offer to Staff a Booth or Table
Volunteer to Help at the Next FOSS Conference
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richard_jones/3091970504/
For Teachers
Create Training Materials: How To's, Tutorials
Bonus Points for Video or In Person Training
Give a Talk about Your Project
Anyone who can share knowledge well is a teacher.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicago2016/3277192438/
My Project Doesn't Do Any of This Stuff....
Wonderful! Time for You to Do Something New and Exciting!
For Those With FOSS Experience
A Few Tips on Attracting and Retaining Newbies
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricksphotos/898175328/
Check Your Tone
Share Your Mistakes
Source http://www.flickr.com/photos/tcatcarson/3714117676/
Recognition = Retention
Source http://www.flickr.com/photos/adampieniazek/445407705/
Recognition = Delegating
Source http://www.flickr.com/photos/bohman/210977249/
Coders: Other Ways to Get Started
Improve FOSS
Get Valuable Employment Experience
Learn from an Experienced Mentor
Become Part of a Vibrant Global Community
Get Paid
Local Google Summer of Code Participants
Hopefully in the Audience So We Can Ask Them About Their
Experiences
Pinar Yanardag
Sarp Centel
How to Participate
You Must Be 18+ Years of Age
You Must Be a Student
Submit an Application Through 9 April 2010
More than 150 FOSS Projects to Choose FromApply now at http://socghop.appspot.com
Recap
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Getting Started Means Being a Good Citizen
Jump in Where You Can Do Well
Know You Will Make Mistakes
Have Fun!
Questions?
Many Thanks to All of You for Coming!
Leslie Hawthornhawthornlandings.orgidenti.ca: @lhTwitter: @lhawthorn
Licensing & Copyright Information
These slides are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
These slides are available at http://slideshare.net/lhawthorn
All logos are the property of their respective owners.
Many thanks to all the kind folks on Flickr who provided their photos for remixing!
Resources
Producing Open Source Software: http://bit.ly/producingossThis guide for starting a FOSS project provides a good overview for newbies, too.
Guide to GSoC Mentoring http://bit.ly/gsocmentoringDocumentation for Google Summer of Code Mentors that will also be of general use to folks looking to add new contributors.
Resources (cont'd.)
Mentoring in Open Source Communities: What Works, What Doesn't http://bit.ly/mentoringarticleExcellent article interviewing several FOSS developers on their mentoring methodologies.
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way http://bit.ly/smartqsThe often cited guide to asking questions effectively in the FOSS world. Not always gentle in tone your mileage may vary.
Even More Resources
The Free Software Definition http://bit.ly/freesoftwaredefThe document for understanding the concept of software being free as in uncensored speech rather than no cost
The Cathedral and the Bazaarhttp://bit.ly/cathedralbazaarSeminal piece on the early history and fundamental concepts of the Free Software movement
The Last Resources Page
The Open Source Definition http://bit.ly/osdefDocument used by the Open Source Initiative to determine whether or not a particular license can be considered Open Source. Useful for understanding the differences between Free Software and Open Source.
Please suggest additional resources!Ping @lh on identi.ca or @lhawthorn on Twitter
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