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.

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Step One

Choose a Project

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fogus/2630034908/

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So You Have a Few Ideas

Now What?

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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

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What is Top Posting?

I really want a pink and yellow pony!!>> What kind of pony would you like?

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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/

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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

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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//

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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

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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.

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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

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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