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GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

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Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#31
post #28
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reply is exactly why this initiative is needed. Can't you just say 'hey, more people contributing to open source!'

I doubt you would have felt the same way if Github had announced they were making free repositories available, but only to male developers...

Your statement doesn't make any sense given the context nor add to the argument.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#32
post #26
post #5

> This reluctance has good reasons behind it: fear of being told they are bad programmers, fear of being publicly mocked or harassed, and even fear of losing job opportunities. All of these are greater risks for women on average than men. [Citation needed] Edit, to expand on the kneejerk reaction: I find it difficult to accept the premise that this is a female-only problem. I've been reluctant to post my code before…

Females as a noun is used to refer to lower animals, I believe you mean women.

I referred to myself as male, not as a man, in the same way I referred to females rather than women. It's pretty obvious I wasn't using it in a demeaning way, unless I was also demeaning myself.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#33
post #30

Why?

From the article: "In working with women in open source, the Ada Initiative found that many women are reluctant to post their code publicly when they are first getting started in open source software. This reluctance has good reasons behind it: fear of being told they are bad programmers, fear of being publicly mocked or harassed, and even fear of losing job opportunities. All of these are greater risks for women on average than men. But the best way to get better at programming is to collaborate with and get review from other programmers, which is far easier to do with a shared repository like those provided by GitHub. Unfortunately, private repositories are too expensive for most women just getting started in open source software."

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#34
post #15

IANAW, but this almost seems sexist in and of itself. Is Github shielding the delicate female programmers from the merciless wrath of internet trolls? I guess the assumption is that big strong male programmers don't need this kind of coddling.

How do you prove that you're a woman?

Also, does a transwoman count?

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#35
post #15

IANAW, but this almost seems sexist in and of itself. Is Github shielding the delicate female programmers from the merciless wrath of internet trolls? I guess the assumption is that big strong male programmers don't need this kind of coddling.

HN often takes the collective position that businesses should be able to discriminate as they see fit, to do business with whom they see fit, and to set prices (e.g. other threads about "price gouging") as they see fit.

Perhaps Github is merely a business doing as they see fit?

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#36
post #18
post #15

IANAW, but this almost seems sexist in and of itself. Is Github shielding the delicate female programmers from the merciless wrath of internet trolls? I guess the assumption is that big strong male programmers don't need this kind of coddling.

Nope, just giving support to a demographic that they'd like to see growth in. It's what smart companies do.

You mean you would support them as much if they supported white males with blond hair ?

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#38
post #5

> This reluctance has good reasons behind it: fear of being told they are bad programmers, fear of being publicly mocked or harassed, and even fear of losing job opportunities. All of these are greater risks for women on average than men. [Citation needed] Edit, to expand on the kneejerk reaction: I find it difficult to accept the premise that this is a female-only problem. I've been reluctant to post my code before…

Agreed. The open-source world is famously bare knuckled, from the top down.

When your standard bearers are the famously freaky rms, or the famously acerbic Linus, the tone set tends to be rather concerned with "truth" and absolutely unconcerned with "feelings".

Not making this right or wrong. Just saying.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#39
post #20
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reply is exactly why this initiative is needed. Can't you just say 'hey, more people contributing to open source!'

How is pushing code to a private repository 'contributing to open source'?

This makes it easier for people to clean up their code before letting the world see it. I wouldn't be surprised if it made some people more willing to contribute.
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