The document serves as a guide for engaging with the 'Learning the Open Source Way' project, detailing various workspaces and tools available on platforms such as Ubuntu Wiki, Launchpad, and Flosscom. It encourages users to share experiences, ask questions, and contribute to the development of a toolkit for open source learning through registration and participation in community activities. Additionally, it outlines support and communication avenues for contributors to connect and collaborate effectively.

1. Learning the Open Source way: the FLOSS approach “ Newbie” Guide

2. Table of Contents Learning the open source way – the floss approach Workspaces Ubuntu wiki Launchpad developer space FLOSSCom community site What to do How to do it Support & Communication

3. Workspaces Learning the open source way – Workspaces For the Learning the Open Source Way project we use different spaces: http://wiki.ubuntu.com/flosscom http://launchpad.net/flosscom http://www.flosscom.net 3 rd Party services like Flashmeeting or slideshare

4. Ubuntu wiki Learning the open source way – Workspaces At the Ubuntu wiki you can add new content, or edit and change existing content. There are two main activities we are already working on: A Set of Questions, that should be answered and completed A toolkit, that should be developed

5. Launchpad Learning the open source way – Workspaces Launchpad is a developer platform that we currently use for: Questions and Answers Blueprints (kind of plans & roadmaps) Mentoring

6. FLOSSCom site Learning the open source way – Workspaces The FLOSSCom site provides you with a range of communication tools and a community space, including: Blogs Chat Event Calendar Forums My Space Link area Download area Wiki

7. Ubuntu wiki Learning the open source way – What to do? Tell us your story, your experiences, or provide examples and case studies on learning in open source – just go ahead Help us to complete the initial set of questions and to develop the toolkit Just go straight ahead and add what you think is missing, or correct and improve what others suggest

8. Launchpad Learning the open source way – What to do? Ask questions, or provide answers Develop the roadmap of existing blueprints, or set up new blueprints Apply for mentors, or offer mentoring

9. FLOSSCom site Learning the open source way – What to do? Get in touch with others Get your own blog, publish news, provide links, announce events, or upload documents

10. Flashmeetings and Talks Learning the open source way – What to do? You can also ask your questions at our flashmeetings, or participate at talks Or have your own meetings and talks – just let us know and we can organize it for you

11. Presentations Learning the open source way – What to do? Improve and comment on our existing slides or add further value to them You can set up your own slides on helping others understanding learning in FLOSS You can find all slides at slideshare and the FLOSSCom download section

12. First: Register Learning the open source way – How to do it? 1. If you want to contribute to the content at the Ubuntu wiki you need to register at http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserPreferences 2. If you are also interested in using Launchpad, like for this Questions and Answers service, you might prefer to register at Launchpad ( http://launchpad.net/flosscom/+login ). By registering at Launchpad you are automatically able to edit this wiki too. 3. If you would like to use the services we have at the FLOSSCom website (e.g. to use the forum, have your blog, or to upload documents and links) you would need to register at: http://flosscom.net/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=registers So the maximum number of times you need to register is twice (as option 2 includes the registration of option 1).

13. Contribute at the Ubuntu wiki Learning the open source way – How to do it? Tell us about your experiences, or help us to complete the initial set of questions and to develop the toolkit To work on the content just click “edit” To be informed if other people modify a page you work on you can “subscribe” to a page To see the page history, means what has changed at which day and by whom you just need to click “Show changes”

14. Contribute at Launchpad Learning the open source way – How to do it? The easiest way to engage at Launchpad might be to see what others did and then to raise and answer questions In the case you feel a bit like experimenting you might also try the blueprint section: Note: Launchpad is made for software development and not for projects like our “Learning the Open Source Way” one. So if you don't like this space, just use its Question and Answer section and except this the Ubuntu wiki or FLOSSCom site – that's absolutely fine.

15. Engage at the FLOSSCom site Learning the open source way – How to do it? The FLOSSCom site provides you with tools like blogs, chat, forums and repositories.

16. The different ways at a glance: Learning the open source way – Support & Communication There are different ways to get support, or to get in contact with others, as shown: Launchpad Questions and Answers You might want to ask it at Launchpad, or see what others have asked. You can find it here: http://answers.launchpad.net/flosscom FLOSSCom Site (with e.g. forums and chat) You might want to use the FLOSSCom site, like e.g. the forums to ask a question, or to browse what others asked. Find it here: http://www.flosscom.net Wiki (Ubuntu) This is not only the space where we are developing the "Learning the Open Source Way" toolkit, but you can also use the wiki to raise questions, or just to go straight ahead and insert what you feel is missing. In this case please go to: http://wiki.ubuntu.com/flosscom Meetings and talks over flashmeeting You might want to re-listen to one of our meetings and talks, or to organize one yourself. We are more than glad to assist you with this and to participate at any meeting and talk that you would like to set up. In this case just go here: http://wiki.ubuntu.com/flosscom/talks FLOSSCom Community Mail Service If you registered at the FLOSSCom side just go to the community user list and send out private mails to the ones you like to ask. Find this here: http://www.flosscom.net

17. Learning the open source way – the floss approach Still feel like contributing? Join in and contribute to the project and bring in first hand information. Discuss, analyse and evaluate the differences between informal learning environments, like FLOSS communities and formal educational settings. Assist us in examining the effectiveness of a FLOSS-like learning community in a formal educational setting. Help us to identify ways of transferring some of the underlying FLOSS principles to formal education. Point out existing examples in education and examine why these do not provide the types of constructivist learning environments observed in FLOSS communities. Provide any examples of formal educational environments similar to FLOSS communities.

18. Feel like adding something? Or Disagree? Fine! Be invited to contribute to this document! Contact: [email_address] or [email_address]