Getting Started in Free and Open Source Software

Free and Open Source Software for New Contributors: How to Get Started and Stay Involved Leslie Hawthorn Free Software & Linux Days, Istanbul April 2, 2010 hawthornlandings.org

The Standard Disclaimer “These are my opinions based on my experiences with the FOSS community, not those of any past or future employer.” </legal speak>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricksphotos/898175328/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenniferwoodardmaderazo/2768264924/

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 Conduct
Ubuntu's is widely referenced and remixed
Be considerate, be respectful, be collaborative
Unwritten “Codes of Conduct”
Does this project share your values?

Understand Project Values (cont'd)
Diversity Statements “ We 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 archives
You can't read everything – search!
Determine the key players
Asking Questions
Write 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 Reports
What 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

Check Your Tone http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricksphotos/898175328/

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 From
Apply now at http://socghop.appspot.com

Recap http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoprofi/4149216115/
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 Hawthorn hawthornlandings.org identi.ca: @lh Twitter: @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/producingoss
This guide for starting a FOSS project provides a good overview for newbies, too.
Guide to GSoC Mentoring http://bit.ly/gsocmentoring
Documentation 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/mentoringarticle
Excellent article interviewing several FOSS developers on their mentoring methodologies.
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way http://bit.ly/smartqs
The 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/freesoftwaredef
The document for understanding the concept of software being free as in uncensored speech rather than no cost
The Cathedral and the Bazaar
http://bit.ly/cathedralbazaar
Seminal piece on the early history and fundamental concepts of the Free Software movement

The Last Resources Page
The Open Source Definition http://bit.ly/osdef
Document 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

Getting Started in Free and Open Source Software

by Leslie Hawthorn on Apr 02, 2010

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