The push for more diversity in technology & STEM is stronger than ever. And thank goodness for that! This short presentation outlines how the Open Source community, across a broad spectrum of projects worldwide is not only working feverishly towards that end but trailblazing that path while providing models for other projects to do the same. It also briefly describes what Open Source is, what some of the projects are and why, if you're of a diverse background, joining & contributing to an open source project is a great way to get started in tech while debunking some myths about Open Source contributions and the many ways you can get started/contribute. This presentation is shared via a Creative Commons license. You can freely share any & all portions of this presentation for any purpose as long as you provide attribution.

1. Open Source Software: A Pathway
to More Diversity in STEM
Miguel Hernandez
Founder & CEO
The OpenMindz Group
SACNAS 2016
October 14, 2016

2. This presentation is OpenSource &
you can freely share any part of it

3. Who is this guy?!
● Born in Mexico & raised in South Central LA
● Studied Business & Gerontology @USC & did Alzheimer's
research
● Worked in tech for 20 years
● Contributor to Open Source projects like Ubuntu, Drupal &
Songbird since 2006
● Organizer of tech conferences, hackathons & meetups since
2008
● Founded Software Libre United, Los Angeles' (& maybe the
country's) first Spanish-speaking tech meetup in 2013

4. We all want more diversity in STEM
but...

5. Before Diversity, we need
ACCESSIBILITY

6. Open Source Software is very
accessible
● Open Source communities are very inviting
● Many people are more than happy to help out a
“newbie”
● Projects are localized & available in many
languages
● Open Source projects boast the highest levels
of inclusion & diverse participation across the
tech spectrum (more on that in a bit)

7. Open Source Software Mantra

8. What is Open Source Software?
● The term "open source" refers to something
that can be modified and shared because its
design is publicly accessible.
● The term originated in computer software but its
tenets have grown to be adopted by varying
projects
● “the open source way”

9. Lots of OPEN models

10. Lots of OPEN models
● Wikipedia
● CreativeCommons.org
● Open Hardware (e.g. 3D Printing)
● Open Science
● Open Courseware
● Project Gutenberg
● They all share one thing: INCLUSIVITY

11. Where can I find Open Source
Software?
● In your pockets, at the atm, at the movies, on your
tv, government agencies & billion dollar startups
(Facebook, Twitter, etc.) & corporations
● Operating Systems
● Server software
● Productivity software
● Office suites

12. In a word, Open Source is...

13. Open Source Alternatives to
Commercial Software
● Microsoft Office = OpenOffice or LibreOffice
● Internet Explorer = Firefox
● Photoshop = GIMP
● PageMaker = Scribus
● Illustrator = Inkscape
● Sony Vegas = OpenShot
● Adobe Audition = Audacity
● Maya or 3DS Max = Blender

14. Drupal: Diversity in Tech
● In 2011, the Drupal community was involved in a
study & the findings were enlightening: 19% of
Drupal users were Women
● That was TWICE as high as the average female
participation in other areas of tech & IT
● At the most recent DrupalCon (the Drupal
community's flagship conference) in 2016, 23%
of attendees identified as Women while 19% of
their speaker lineup were Women

15. Sounds great! Where do I sign up?
● Thousands of Open Source projects to choose
from
● Contribute in more ways than just code:
Documentation, Marketing, Translation, Logo
Design, QA, etc.....it doesn't have to be
something “geeky”

16. Open Source has your back
● If you need software to help you succeed
academically
● Once you become a professional & need resources
to help you succeed professionally
● If you need a tech a platform to launch your big
idea & change the world
● If you need teaching aids for the classroom or
when you're out inspiring the next generation of
SACNISTAS!

17. Resources
● https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-source
● Www.distrowatch.com
● https://medium.com/made-with-creative-commons/latest
● https://www.blender.org/media-exposure/the-art-of-open-source/
● Www.blender.org
● Www.gutenberg.org
● Www.ubuntu.com
● Www.OpenOffice.org
● Www.LibreOffice.org
● Www.GIMP.org
● Www.Inkscape.org
● Www.Techivist.org

18. Keep in touch!
● Twitter = @Techivist
● Blog = Techivist.org
●
● Software Libre United
● @SoftwareLibreUn

19. Thank You! | Gracias!