Ruby.is_a? Community # = true

MountainWest RubyConf 2011

by Wayne E. Seguin

The video titled "Ruby.is_a? Community # = true" features Wayne E. Seguin discussing the vital role of the Ruby community in his professional journey and the broader implications of community engagement in the tech world.

Key Points Discussed:
- Importance of Community:
- The Ruby community serves as a significant driving force, fostering personal growth and valuable friendships.
- Emphasis on Ruby's deep ties to web development and the need for broader engagement in community activities.

Open Source Contributions:
- Engaging in open source projects leads to personal and professional growth through collaboration and networking.
- Seguin shares experiences, including his involvement in a project called Paul Berg, which opened doors to opportunities early in his career.
Education and Mentorship:
- Education through various resources like workshops and blogs enhances learning and opportunities for community members.
- Mentorship programs like the Ruby Summer of Code allow newcomers to learn from experienced developers, creating lasting friendships and professional relationships.
Social Interaction and Communication:
- Networking at conferences and through online platforms is essential for building connections and sharing experiences.
- Personal stories highlight the emotional and interpersonal aspects of engagement within the Ruby community.
Personal Growth and Happiness:
- Friendships formed in the community contribute to individual satisfaction and joy.
- Seguin recounts connections made through mentorship that have enriched his life and career.
Community Characteristics:
- The Ruby community is characterized by kindness, generosity, and a commitment to helping each other succeed.
- Encouragement for members to create an inclusive environment for newcomers through organized workflows and accessible documentation.
Concluding Call to Action:
- Seguin urges participants to actively engage in open source projects, contribute to discussions, and support one another to foster community growth.
- A reminder that every contribution counts and strengthens the network that embodies the spirit of Ruby.

In conclusion, continued involvement and support not only advance personal skills but also contribute to the health and vibrancy of the Ruby community as a whole.

00:00:12.830 The single most important driving force that has kept me going since I started working with Ruby is the community itself. I want to discuss various aspects of why I love the Ruby community and present my thoughts on our unique and awesome community with its rosy effervescent essence.

00:00:21.869 When I originally did this, what I wanted to do was talk about the Ruby community and explain why I feel so strongly about it. I believe it’s awesome, and it’s more than just a community; it's a vibrant network of individuals within the tech world, including Ruby and related technologies.

00:00:33.420 Currently, Ruby is strongly associated with web development, and I think this association is quite profound. Much of what you might think of as web development is, in my opinion, something different. It may please you to consider becoming more involved in our community as I share my perspective on its many benefits.

00:00:51.359 First, I’ll discuss open source projects. Contributing to open source projects can lead to personal growth and wonderful friendships. The friendships formed from these collaborations often become truly valuable. Open source projects allow us to create, which is a significant reason many of us joined this community.

00:01:05.370 Sometimes, you might feel coerced into it, but in reality, we are driven to create. One of my favorite quotes is from Lucky Stiff, where he stated, 'When you don’t create things, you become defined by your tastes rather than by your ability.' Consider what your tastes do; they often narrow down and exclude people.

00:01:22.320 The next benefit I want to discuss is the opportunities that arise from working on open source projects. These opportunities can lead to various surprising paths. For instance, I once worked on an open source project called Paul Berg, a web development framework, which I found immensely enjoyable.

00:01:38.210 Working with a team on such projects opened up a fantastic opportunity for me to join in Yard early on in my career. The relationships I built while working on this open source project with Ezra led me to significant professional growth. Similarly, I once mentored Nick, who later became an engineer at another company through our collaboration.

00:02:00.680 Ruby on Rails has created many opportunities for several people, including myself. The truth is that most of the tasks we do involve human interactions, such as tax calculations or even just pulling money from our wallets. In my opinion, all these practical applications of software relate to human needs and business opportunities.

00:02:35.250 Moving on, education and mentorship also play crucial roles in our community. Educational resources lead to personal growth and further opportunities. There are many ways to obtain education within our community, including training workshops, documentation, webinars, and blog posts.

00:02:56.979 For instance, Sarah and Alex from Rails Mentors have created programs that teach programming in a structured way and help people to transition into the Ruby world. The respect they receive is well-deserved as they truly contribute to the collective knowledge of our community.

00:03:18.030 Mentorships form strong relationships and sometimes lead to opportunities, but more importantly, they create lasting friendships. I had the pleasure of participating in the Ruby Summer of Code mentoring program last year, where I was paired with an outstanding mentor, Darcy Leach, from Perth, Australia. We collaborated closely despite the time zone difference.

00:03:42.400 We had a wonderful experience, and to this day, we remain great friends, communicating regularly. Another special connection I made was with Joshua Lipner, a business developer. He was interested in migrating from .NET to Ruby, and through the Rails Mentors program, I was able to assist him, leading to yet another meaningful friendship.

00:04:14.139 I cannot stress enough how beneficial mentorship can be for both the mentor and the mentee. If you are new to technology or even if you are experienced, seek someone to mentor. This not only helps them but also enhances your own skills and knowledge.

00:04:42.250 I felt truly touched reading 'Final Block' from the Ruby Summer of Code program, where one mentee expressed how honored he was to work with his mentor. He appreciated the patience and knowledge shared with him during their mentoring sessions.

00:05:16.210 The essence of Ruby is not just about the language itself; it’s about community. While Ruby is indeed a beautiful language to express thoughts in programming, it’s important to recognize that diversifying your skillset by learning different languages can be beneficial. Each language has its strengths, equipping you for various challenges in your career.

00:05:45.000 So, as we move on, the importance of social interaction and communication cannot be overstated. We live in a world with many methods of communication that are constantly evolving—whether it’s IRC, Twitter, or even conferences. Social interaction at conferences is especially important.

00:06:06.960 While here at this conference, I encourage you to engage with as many people as possible. Everyone has unique experiences and stories, and every time I meet someone from our community, I am amazed by the variety of backgrounds and knowledge they bring.

00:06:32.360 Networking is essential, so explore your interactions here. We must remember that although the mediums of communication might change, the fundamental element is that we are always communicating with fellow humans. Never lose that emotional connection—consider the impact of facial expressions and gestures that could get lost in emails and text.

00:07:04.800 With that said, let’s talk about personal growth, satisfaction, and happiness. Friendships formed through the Ruby community lead to these feelings. Through social interactions shared within Ruby, friendships can develop, contributing to personal satisfaction and overall joy.

00:07:29.430 For example, through the Ruby Summer of Code mentorship, I made deep connections, such as with Darcy Leach, with whom I still share insights and ideas. These relationships illustrate how involvement in the community can truly enhance personal and professional growth.

00:07:47.060 Involvement in open source projects has also allowed friendships to develop, like with Kurt Kings and Luis Medina, whom I connected with several years ago through my volunteer work with the Mono project. I have stayed in touch with them, and we continue to enjoy each other’s friendship, highlighting the ongoing nature of these relationships.

00:08:25.750 Subsequently, I became involved in the Merb project, forging additional friendships and professional ties. The collaborative environment of these projects supports building sturdy friendships, as well as professional growth in a supportive setting.

00:09:05.880 Ruby is unique due to its community. In my interaction with other communities, I’ve emphasized the positive feelings I experience while using the Ruby language. It’s disappointing to see that some developers don’t share the same warm feelings about it.

00:09:37.080 Recapping the various benefits we’ve discussed, there’s a strong interconnection between them. All the benefits of the Ruby community are intertwined in a way that resembles a beautiful network—a web formed of connections and shared experiences.

00:10:02.950 Each one of us contributes to this web, strengthening it with our unique talents and experiences. This description encapsulates why I feel so passionately about the Ruby community; I consider it unique and wonderful.

00:10:26.349 I urge you to go out and create connections. Seek out interesting stories and experiences from fellow community members. The energy within our community is contagious, so let yourself be inspired by those around you.

00:10:49.170 Examples abound within our community: from Nick Williams' comedic genius to Eric Patterson’s creative presentations at conferences. Each individual offers unique stories and talents that invigorate us and bring joy to our experiences.

00:11:10.090 People like the late James Edward Gray have contributed significantly to nurturing the ruby community through their dedication, teaching, and inspiration. Their legacies inspire us to pave the way for newcomers and foster an inviting environment.

00:11:34.800 It’s crucial that we remember what makes our community so special. The kindness and generosity within the Ruby community are clear indicators of its strength and resilience.

00:11:56.720 As we work to grow our community further, we should focus on welcoming newcomers and showing them the positive aspects of Ruby. We must build upon the unique characteristics that make us truly special.

00:12:20.640 So how do we foster the growth of our unique and awesome community? Practices such as actively participating in open source projects and enhancing understanding of Ruby principles can help newcomers naturally integrate into our community.

00:12:42.900 We need to clear barriers to understanding and help anyone interested in Ruby feel welcome. Documentation and mentorship are crucial elements for newcomers as well, guiding them through lively and active contributions.

00:13:05.180 Moreover, having organized workflows can greatly enhance newcomers' experiences. If we help to simplify their beginnings with Ruby to minimize pain points, we will see more people feel welcome and engaged in our community.

00:13:29.170 Creating intuitive tools and providing access to informative resources allows people to join effectively. Your participation may serve as the first step for many to join our vibrant community of Rubyists.

00:13:53.500 We must also give attention to ensuring our documentation is clear and accessible, allowing users to navigate effectively. High-quality examples can enlighten newcomers and retain their interest while learning.

00:14:15.370 I recommend venues like the Ruby Summer of Code or Rails Mentors, where enriching experiences and community bonds flourish. Participating in these efforts demonstrates a commitment to the Ruby community and will ultimately lead to our collective growth.

00:14:38.260 We should keep pushing forward toward personal growth, focusing on being patient with one another. Perhaps you might find a way to help others and share knowledge—this gives us a sense of purpose in our community.

00:15:07.840 By aiding others, you often discover that you refine your own skills in the process. So, I challenge each of you to become actively involved and engage with open source projects, regardless of their technical nature.

00:15:39.790 Participate in discussions, offer help with documentation, and engage with listservs; reach beyond mere development tasks. There are numerous ways to contribute, and your actions will enrich our community.

00:16:03.950 In conclusion, remember that every contribution counts, and everyone has something unique to offer. Let’s continue building this supportive network that embodies the true spirit of Ruby—a community of kind, generous individuals eager to support one another.

00:16:22.010 Thank you for being here today. I look forward to any questions you may have.

MountainWest RubyConf 2011