1. @rouanw rouanw.github.io
Contributing to Open Source
is easier than you think

2. This looks daunting

3. This looks daunting

4. PRINCIPLE 1
Use open source software

5. First contribution
Didn’t work!

6. First contribution
Options:
1) Write a bad test
2) Do the promise wrangling ourselves
3) Fix it

7. First contribution

8. PRINCIPLE 2
It’s just code

9. Second contribution
+
😭=

10. Second contribution

11. Two days later…

12. A month later…

13. PRINCIPLE 3
It feels good to be part of a
community

14. Documentation
redux-form
knife-solo_data_bag

15. PRINCIPLE 4
Every little helps

16. Techniques

17. Contribute auxiliary code
• Used a library to flatten objects
• It didn’t flatten nested objects
• Wrote some code to do that

18. Open a pull request

19. Use the new version

20. Another example

21. Another example

22. PRINCIPLE 5
Your trash could be someone
else’s treasure

23. PRINCIPLE 6
Contributing to open source can
be part of your day job

24. Fork the code

25. Point to your fork

26. Update when merged

27. Hey, I made that!

28. PRINCIPLE 7
If something doesn’t do exactly
what you want, change it

29. Share your utility code

31. dotfiles

32. PRINCIPLE 8
Work in the open
(if it doesn’t need to be private, share it)

33. Do it as part of your job

34. PRINCIPLE 9
Advocate for open source

35. Start a project

37. Help from others

38. PRINCIPLE 10
Other people can help you

39. Reasons I contribute to OSS
• Feels good to be helpful
• Fun to work on projects with different tech and styles
• Gives me confidence
• Helps my personal brand
• Helps potential employers get to know me

40. @rouanw rouanw.github.io
Contributing to Open Source
is easier than you think