Ruby for All

How to Contribute to Open Source

Aug 25, 2022

In this discussion, open source enthusiast Andrew shares his extensive contributions while newcomer Julie seeks advice on starting out. They recount their early experiences and emphasize the role of mentorship. Andrew offers insights on navigating GitHub, finding beginner-friendly projects, and overcoming the fear of rejection. They humorously dissect the concept of the '10X developer' and highlight that open source isn't for everyone—it's crucial to find the right fit. Perfect for anyone curious about open source contributions!

28:51

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Episode guests

Andrew

Julie

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Engaging with supportive communities like Ruby for Good allows new contributors to gain confidence and valuable mentorship in open source development.

Choosing familiar projects and utilizing resources such as GitHub's 'good first issue' can significantly enhance a developer's initial contributions in open source.

Deep dives

Navigating Initial Contributions to Open Source

Getting started with open source can be daunting for many junior developers, particularly due to a lack of guidance. The speaker highlights that finding a mentor or supportive community can significantly ease the transition into contributing. Through participation in a project known as Ruby for Good, individuals can learn more about contributing in a structured environment, with guidance from senior developers. This community-centric approach helps new contributors gain confidence as they learn the ropes of open source development.

Intro

3min

Navigating Initial Open Source Contributions

2min

Navigating Open Source Contributions: Tips for Beginners

4min

The Evolution of the 10X Developer Concept

2min

Navigating Open Source Contributions

18min

Andrew and Julie talk about their first open source experiences. Andrew shares that he has always loved open source and does as much as he can. Julie had some questions around how to get started and Andrew shares some tips and tricks for interacting with projects and maintainers on GitHub and making high value contributions. After a brief aside about 10x developers, the pair talk about dealing with rejection and that it is ok and not personal when your contribution is turned down. Just like with companies, you have to find the right project for you and there is no shame in admitting when the task is currently over your head. Finally, Andrew and Julie wrap up with a disclaimer that open source isn't for everyone and that's ok.If you are thinking about contributing to open source or hesitant on starting, this one’s for you!

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