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For some, open source software is a way of life. For others it's a dark and scary place -- full of fear, uncertainty and doubt. The hard reality is: nobody truly knows what they're doing and we're all just one teeny step from getting rumbled. Let's explore what it takes to contribute to popular open source software and dispel the myths. By the end of the talk I guarantee you'll be throwing pull requests like a BOSS or your money back! (OK, maybe not that money part)
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In the presentation titled **FOSS like a Boss!**, Ben Lovell discusses the nuances of contributing to open source software (OSS) while addressing common misconceptions and encouraging audience engagement in the OSS community. Lovell starts by highlighting the widespread usage of OSS and poses the question, "Why contribute?" He emphasizes the perspective of regular users rather than maintainers and breaks down the jargon associated with contributing. Key points include: - **Public Profile & Profile Building**: Lovell candidly explains that although contributing can raise one’s public profile, it often leads to isolation, as contributors may not meet the people impacted by their work. - **Altruism vs. Reality**: He discusses the altruistic narrative of contributing to OSS, contrasting it with the reality of businesses benefiting financially from the free labor provided by contributors. - **Community Expectations**: Lovell underscores the significant pressures faced by OSS maintainers, describing them as overburdened individuals dealing with demanding users who expect constant support. He uses the analogy of a blissful user vs. a stressed maintainer to illustrate this disparity. - **Diverse Ways to Contribute**: He encourages various forms of contribution beyond coding, such as opening issues, providing documentation, thanking maintainers, and donating resources. He emphasizes the importance of all contributions, stressing that even small feedback can have lasting impacts. - **Anecdotes on Learning**: Lovell recounts a personal story involving a student’s realization of their ability to contribute to OSS through improving documentation, which showcases that contributions can lead to significant learning moments. - **Open Source in Government**: He illustrates how OSS can enhance transparency in governmental projects, citing issues with public spending and how open-source practices lead to shared infrastructure and cost savings. - **Maintainers’ Needs**: Lovell provides a checklist for would-be contributors, stressing the importance of understanding project guidelines, submitting sensible pull requests, and respecting maintainers’ time. In closing, Ben Lovell’s engaging delivery encourages the audience to rethink their approach toward contributing and appreciate the efforts of maintainers. His key takeaway is that all contributions matter and that fostering a supportive community is essential for the sustainability of OSS.
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