The document discusses contributing to free and open source software (FOSS). It defines FOSS as software with four essential freedoms: to run the program for any purpose, study and modify the code, redistribute copies, and release improvements to the public. The document encourages contributing to FOSS to make a difference, gain global exposure, improve skills, and have fun. It outlines how FOSS is developed in a decentralized "bazaar model" with communication over mailing lists and code repositories. Developers gain recognition through technical merit and contributions. The document provides steps for becoming a FOSS contributor from starting as a user to gaining commit access and eventually leading one's own project.

1. Contributing to FOSS
By
Buddhika Siddhisena
Co­Founder & CTO
THINKCube Systems Pvt. Ltd
<bud@thinkcube.com>
Member of LKLUG & FOSS.LK
<bud@babytux.org>

2. 2
What is
FOSS
?

3. 3
What is
Free & Open Source
Software
?

4. 4
What is FOSS?
• The freedom to run the program, for any
purpose (freedom 0)
• The freedom to study how the program
works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1)
• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can
help your neighbor (freedom 2)
• The freedom to improve the program, and
release your improvements to the public, so
that the whole community benefits (freedom
3)

5. 5
Why Contribute
?

6. 6
Why Contribute to FOSS
• Make a difference
• Global Exposure
• Become better at what you do
• Merit based on performance
• Experience working with others
• Show Professionalism
• Career development
• Have fun

7. 7
Hello everybody out there using minix -
I'm doing a (free) operating system (just a
hobby, won't be big and
professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT
clones. This has been brewing
since april, and is starting to get ready.
I'd like any feedback on
things people like/dislike in minix, as my
OS resembles it somewhat
(same physical layout of the file-system
(due to practical reasons)
among other things).
I've currently ported bash(1.08) and
gcc(1.40), and things seem to work.
This implies that I'll get something
practical within a few months, and
I'd like to know what features most
people would want. Any suggestions
are welcome, but I won't promise I'll
implement them :-)
Linus (torvalds@kruuna.helsinki.fi)
Linus Torvalds
Creator of the
Linux kernel

8. 8
How is FOSS developed
?

9. Getting to Know
Open Source
The Cathedral and the Bazaar

10. 10
Software Development Models
● In his essay “The Cathedral and the
Bazaar”, Eric S Raymond (ESR)
compares two software
development models
● The traditional “Cathedral Model” –
closed, centralized, formal and
propitiatory
● “Bazaar Model” used in open
source – open, decentralized and
informal

11. 11
Bazaar Model
● Every open source software has a “home page” and a
“CVS repository”1
● Communication is done over a mailing list – discussions
are archived publicly
● Developers contribute in their own interest
● Regular contributors gradually gain recognition over
their technical merit (and nothing else) and sometimes
become developers with “CVS write access”
● “Project management”, “requirement documents”,
“architecture diagrams” etc. are seldom heard of !
1
CVS is not the only version control system used in open source

12. 12
Bazaar Model Internet Infrastructure
WWW
CVS Mailing lists
List archives
Mirrors
FTP
Developers
Contributors
End users
VARs
RSync

13. 13
Bazaar Model Today
hobby programming, not very usable
usable, but not in production
used
in critical
applications
used in production
environments
commercial
organizations
universities,
non-profit organizations,
governments,
high caliber individuals
sponsoring
end users
enthusiasts
individuals

14. 14
Bazaar Model Example – Linux Kernel

15. 15
How to become a contributor
?

16. 16
#1
Become a FOSS User

17. 17
Become a contributor
• Give feedback (report bugs, feature
request)
• Help with Documentation
• Submit graphic art, mockups
• Submit patches
• Gain trust with project lead

18. 18
Become a commiter
(commit access)
(be part of the team)

19. 19
Start your own project
(become a project leader)

20. 20
FOSS in Sri Lanka

21. 21
Questions
?

22. 22
Unconventional Ending
Thank You
bud@babytux.org
bud@linux.lk
bud@thinkcube.com