The document discusses the benefits of contributing to open source, both for individuals and businesses, highlighting opportunities for learning, collaboration, and career advancement. It outlines ways to contribute, such as coding, bug testing, and improving documentation, as well as the importance of understanding project goals and adhering to contribution guidelines. The document emphasizes the value of open source participation in enhancing skills and impressing potential employers and clients.

1. YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A NINJA
ROCKSTAR
TO CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE

2. OPEN SOURCE PROJECTS
http://www.commitstrip.com/en/2014/05/07/the-truth-behind-open-source-apps/

3. WHY CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE?
• Why should I contribute?
• Why should a business contribute?

4. WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE?
Figures from a poll published
by the Liferay Open Source
project in December 2012
http://www.liferay.com/

5. WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE?
• To give something back.
• To collaborate with some really smart people.
• It's interesting and challenging.
• It's fun!
• It's a great opportunity to learn something new.
• It will help you get better jobs in future.
• It helps you write better code.
• It teaches you about good development practises and quality control.
• It looks good on a CV.

6. WHY SHOULD A BUSINESS CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN
SOURCE?
Figures from a poll published
by the Liferay Open Source
project in December 2012
http://www.liferay.com/

7. WHY SHOULD A BUSINESS CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN
SOURCE?
• Helps staff learn about that Open Source product
• Skilled staff in certain Open Source Projects gives opportunities for selling:
• Consultancy
• Training
• Contribution to an Open Source project helps you guide the direction of that project, perhaps to add features that you want.
• Open Source participation is like free on-the-job training.
In addition to learning about the Open Source product itself, your employees learn about:
• Software engineering practices
• Testing and quality assurance
• Communication skills
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Open Source participation impresses potential customers and new employees.
• Makes upgrading easier if changes are part of the core product rather than patches to the product

8. HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE?
• How can I contribute?
• How can a business contribute?

9. HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE?
• Write code.
• Answer questions on forums (e.g. StackOverflow).
• Bug Testing.
• Submit bug reports
(SSCCE – Short, Self-Contained, Correct Example – http://www.sscce.org/)
• Improve documentation.
• Translations.
• Organize user groups in your local area.
• Blog about Open Source adoption and contribution.
• Write Tutorials
• Organise classes: teach what you know.
• Speak at a technical conferences.

10. HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE?
Figures from a poll published
by the Liferay Open Source
project in December 2012
http://www.liferay.com/

11. HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN SOURCE?
• Understand the goals of the project; make sure your contribution is in line with
them.
• Play by the rules of the project that you're contributing to.
• Submit complete patches that implement full features: include any test information
and documentation.
• Have low expectations. Learn to accept rejection.
• Persevere. Improve upon comments and keep sending updates.
• Be humble. Never add your name to the list of contributors yourself. The project
leader should do so, if she or he values your work.
• Be honest about your available time and skills.
• Be a doer, not a talker or a troll.

12. HOW CAN A BUSINESS CONTRIBUTE TO OPEN
SOURCE?
• Push your changes to Open Source Software back to the developers of those projects.
• Allow staff members to work on Open Source libraries/applications that your company uses.
• Partner with an Open Source project for a case study.
• Offer to host meet-ups for Open Source projects.
• Offer to provide pizza for Open Source project meet-ups.
• Provide testimonials about the Open Source Software that your business uses.
• Donate to, or participate in foundations associated with projects.

13. CONTRIBUTING TO OPEN SOURCE
Questions?

14. WHO AM I?
Mark Baker
Design and Development Manager
InnovEd (Innovative Solutions for Education) Ltd
Coordinator and Developer of:
Open Source PHPOffice library
PHPExcel, PHPWord,PHPPowerPoint, PHPProject, PHPVisio
Minor contributor to PHP core
@Mark_Baker
https://github.com/MarkBaker
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/mark-baker/b/572/171