summercamp 2010

Getting Started in an Open Source Community

Dru LavigneCommunity Manager, PC-BSD ProjectSummerCamp 2010

This presentation will discuss:

WHY? (would I want to contribute?)

WHAT? (type of contributions can I make?)

HOW? (do I decide which community?)

WHERE? (do I begin?)

WHAT IF? (something goes wrong?)

Closing Thoughts

WHY?

Q. Why should I bother getting involved?

And what if:● I'm not that geeky...● I don't know how to code...● I really don't have that much time to

spare....● I don't know anyone in open source...● I've tried before and had a bad

experience (or two)...

WHY: Experience

● Gain experience you can add to your resume

● Learn hard and soft skills

● Learn from others in your spare time

WHY: Networking

● Meet people from all over the world who are interested in your industry

● It really is about "who you know"

WHY: Recognition

● It is possible to build a name for yourself and become an authority on topic XYZ

● One way to break the glass ceiling

WHAT?

● Coding is the most obvious, but not the only type of contribution

WHAT?

Every project needs help with:

● Documentation● Marketing/Advocacy● Graphics● System and/or web

administration● Helping new users

WHAT?

You could:

● Start a blog● Tweet news● Answer questions on

forums, mailing lists, or IRC

● Get involved!

HOW?

Create a Project short list:● What open source

are you currently using?

● Do you have friends already involved in a Project?

● What are your interests?

HOW?

Research each Project's communication channels:● Are you comfortable

using their technology?

● Are you comfortable with their tone?

HOW?

Look for opportunity:● Does the Project

need assistance in areas that match your goals?

● Does it publish a wish or TO DO list?

● Is it easy to contribute or are there barriers to overcome?

HOW?

Weigh your options:● Every Project

contains individual personalities (including yours)

● Every Project is different in tone, communication channels, available resources, technical skills, etc.

HOW?

Weigh your options:

● No Project is perfect

● Feel free to "shop around" for the best fit

● You don't have to stay if the fit is poor

WHERE?

● Find and engage in a communication channel

● Join a local user group

● Attend a conference

WHERE?

● Learn the rules of Netiquette

● Read the Project's FAQs

● Treat others how you'd want to be treated

● Be persistent

WHAT IF?

Noone responds?

● Check your question● Try another

communication channel

● Over time, notice patterns

WHAT IF?

You start a flame war?

● Apologize once, then stay out of it

● Don't do whatever it was you did again

WHAT IF?

You encounter elitism, sexism, racism, or some other nasty-ism?

● Don't pretend it didn't happen

● Privately bring it to the attention of a leader in the Project

Closing Thoughts

● Opportunities are available

● Well worth the time spent

● The more you find time to give, the more you get back

Questions?

URL to slides:http://www.slideshare.net/dlavigne

/summercamp-2010

dru@freebsd.org