open source communities

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UnderstandingUnderstandingOpen Source CommunitiesOpen Source Communities

Deng ChingDeng ChingSenior Software Engineer - G2iXSenior Software Engineer - G2iX

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An Open Source community...

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Guy + Girll Open communicationl Partnershipl You don't always get along

l You will have to deal with jealousyl A stronger relationship in the end..

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Why a community?

It's the entity that drives the development of the project.

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Open Source vs. Closed Sourcel no dictatorshipl collaboration is a must, organizational structure develops over time

l quality ity of code (more pairs of eyes review the code)

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The Apache Software Foundation

l membership-based, not-for-profit corporation

l support for open source software projects

l not just a group of projects but “a community of developers and users”

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The ASF History...

l HTTPD Server− patch and fix− mailing list

l The Apache Groupl In 1999, the Apache Software Foundation was born

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“Meritocracy in action.”

The Apache Software Foundation

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The ASF Structure

DevelopmentDevelopment AdministrativeAdministrative

PMC Members Board

Committers Officers

Contributors Members

Patchers/Buggers

Users

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At the beginning...

l There were only 21 membersl .. and 2 “projects”: httpd and Concom

l All servers and services were donated

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Today...l 258 active membersl ...and 49 emeritus membersl 70 TLPsl ~30 incubator podlingsl 2000+ committers (and growing!)

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How It Works...

l +1, 0 and -1l mailing lists

− dev list− users list

l IRCl bug trackerl Wiki

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Perks...l better coding stylel enhanced communication and socializing skills

l attend conferences for freel build connections (more twitter and facebook friends!)

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On the down-side...

l roadmap schedulingl feedback takes a while (at times)l not much control over technology usedl lack of documentation

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Getting Involved...

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Where to start?

l Start with what you already know

l Read, read, read...l Subscribe to the mailing listsl Checkout the source codel File bugs!l Fix it and submit a patchl Get involved continuously

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A Few Tips...l don't be intimidated l always be respectful and grateful

l be open-mindedl don't take things personally

l take “transparency” to heart

l make new comers feel welcome

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Apache ArchivaApache Continuum

Apache MavenRedback

q4e/Eclipse IAM

ASF + Google Summer of Code

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Resources

l http://apache.orgl http://archiva.apache.orgl http://continuum.apache.orgl http://maven.apache.orgl http://redback.codehaus.orgl http://code.google.com/p/q4e/l http://code.google.com/soc/

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oching@apache.orgoching@g2ix.com

http://twitter.com/deng_c

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Thank You...