My presentation from SummerCamp 2010.

1. Getting Started in an
Open Source Community
Dru Lavigne
Community Manager, PC-BSD Project
SummerCamp 2010

2. 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

3. 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)...

4. WHY: Experience
● Gain experience
you can add to
your resume
● Learn hard and soft
skills
● Learn from others
in your spare time

5. WHY: Networking
● Meet people from
all over the world
who are interested
in your industry
● It really is about
"who you know"

6. 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

7. WHAT?
● Coding is the most
obvious, but not
the only type of
contribution

8. WHAT?
Every project needs
help with:
● Documentation
● Marketing/Advocacy
● Graphics
● System and/or web
administration
● Helping new users

9. WHAT?
You could:
● Start a blog
● Tweet news
● Answer questions on
forums, mailing lists,
or IRC
● Get involved!

10. 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?

11. HOW?
Research each
Project's
communication
channels:
● Are you comfortable
using their
technology?
● Are you comfortable
with their tone?

12. 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?

13. HOW?
Weigh your options:
● Every Project
contains individual
personalities
(including yours)
● Every Project is
different in tone,
communication
channels, available
resources, technical
skills, etc.

14. 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

15. WHERE?
● Find and engage in
a communication
channel
● Join a local user
group
● Attend a
conference

16. WHERE?
● Learn the rules of
Netiquette
● Read the Project's
FAQs
● Treat others how
you'd want to be
treated
● Be persistent

17. WHAT IF?
Noone responds?
● Check your question
● Try another
communication
channel
● Over time, notice
patterns

18. WHAT IF?
You start a flame
war?
● Apologize once,
then stay out of it
● Don't do whatever
it was you did
again

19. 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

20. Closing Thoughts
● Opportunities are
available
● Well worth the
time spent
● The more you find
time to give, the
more you get back

21. Questions?
URL to slides:
http://www.slideshare.net/dlavigne
/summercamp-2010
dru@freebsd.org