Ask HN: How do I get involved in open source projects? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How do I get involved in open source projects?

#11

Post by thebootstrapper » Wed, Aug 04, 2010, 5:40 PM UTC

Start with issue tracker / user list of your favourite OSS project. If the project has more comitters and stable its very unlikely you will able to contribute. So choosing the right project also matters. Most contribution to opensource came because of personal needs so IMO if you use your project extensively its likely you will be able to contribute back.

There is actually Google I/O talk The Myth of Genius Programmer. Where Googlers (Brian Fitzpatrick, Ben Collins-Sussman) talks about when to join in a collaborative (OSS) project It could helpful. http://code.google.com/events/io/2009/sessions/MythGeniusPro...

Re: Ask HN: How do I get involved in open source projects?

#12

Post by jtchang » Wed, Aug 04, 2010, 7:11 PM UTC

Why do you want to get involved in open source projects?

For me I never really got "involved" into any open source project. Rather I had ideas floating around that I wanted to do. That's what got me to code this (basically a Python based server for a wireless SD card):

http://returnbooleantrue.blogspot.com/2009/04/eye-fi-standal...

I open sourced it because I don't have much time to support it. Best way is to find something you like and stick to it.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get involved in open source projects?

#13

Post by sparrowhawk23 » Wed, Aug 04, 2010, 7:27 PM UTC

http://mifos.org IRC: #mifos

This is a web based, open source banking software designed for microloans - software for ending poverty. It needs and welcomes volunteers! Uses Java, Spring Framework, and has many developers all over the world. They'll help you get up to speed.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get involved in open source projects?

#14

Post by joeld42 » Thu, Aug 05, 2010, 12:54 AM UTC

A great way to get started is by offering to port and package something to a different platform, or add an api/wrapper for another language. Most single developer/small group projects would be happy to have the help.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get involved in open source projects?

#15

Post by bluesmoon » Sat, Aug 14, 2010, 9:58 PM UTC

ritonlajoie wrote: post #10

bluesmoon wrote: post #4

Ok, this is how I started. Back in 1999, I was a newbie on the local lug and was learning perl. There were people of all skill levels on the lug and one of the non-technical members asked how he could find out the type of web server running on a host. I replied telling him how to telnet to port 80 and do a GET, but then realised that that was a bit to technical for him, so told him that if he waited 30 minutes, I'd w…

Do you think you yahoo-part involvement in the project made a significant 'bonus' when you've got hired by Yahoo ?

that's how I got to know many Yahoo! engineers. I'd report back every time I found something that would crash the official client.