Contributing to FOSS (archived)
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The document discusses contributing to free and open source software (FOSS). It defines FOSS as software with four essential freedoms: to run the program for any purpose, study and modify the code, redistribute copies, and release improvements to the public. The document encourages contributing to FOSS to make a difference, gain global exposure, improve skills, and have fun. It outlines how FOSS is developed in a decentralized "bazaar model" with communication over mailing lists and code repositories. Developers gain recognition through technical merit and contributions. The document provides steps for becoming a FOSS contributor from starting as a user to gaining commit access and eventually leading one's own project.
Contributing to FOSS (archived)
- 3. 3 What is Free & Open Source Software ?
- 4. 4 What is FOSS? • The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0) • The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1) • The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2) • The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3)
- 6. 6 Why Contribute to FOSS • Make a difference • Global Exposure • Become better at what you do • Merit based on performance • Experience working with others • Show Professionalism • Career development • Have fun
- 7. 7 Hello everybody out there using minix - I'm doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won't be big and professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT clones. This has been brewing since april, and is starting to get ready. I'd like any feedback on things people like/dislike in minix, as my OS resembles it somewhat (same physical layout of the file-system (due to practical reasons) among other things). I've currently ported bash(1.08) and gcc(1.40), and things seem to work. This implies that I'll get something practical within a few months, and I'd like to know what features most people would want. Any suggestions are welcome, but I won't promise I'll implement them :-) Linus ([email protected]) Linus Torvalds Creator of the Linux kernel
- 8. 8 How is FOSS developed ?
- 9. Getting to Know Open Source The Cathedral and the Bazaar
- 10. 10 Software Development Models ● In his essay “The Cathedral and the Bazaar”, Eric S Raymond (ESR) compares two software development models ● The traditional “Cathedral Model” – closed, centralized, formal and propitiatory ● “Bazaar Model” used in open source – open, decentralized and informal
- 11. 11 Bazaar Model ● Every open source software has a “home page” and a “CVS repository”1 ● Communication is done over a mailing list – discussions are archived publicly ● Developers contribute in their own interest ● Regular contributors gradually gain recognition over their technical merit (and nothing else) and sometimes become developers with “CVS write access” ● “Project management”, “requirement documents”, “architecture diagrams” etc. are seldom heard of ! 1 CVS is not the only version control system used in open source
- 12. 12 Bazaar Model Internet Infrastructure WWW CVS Mailing lists List archives Mirrors FTP Developers Contributors End users VARs RSync
- 13. 13 Bazaar Model Today hobby programming, not very usable usable, but not in production used in critical applications used in production environments commercial organizations universities, non-profit organizations, governments, high caliber individuals sponsoring end users enthusiasts individuals
- 14. 14 Bazaar Model Example – Linux Kernel
- 15. 15 How to become a contributor ?
- 16. 16 #1 Become a FOSS User
- 17. 17 Become a contributor • Give feedback (report bugs, feature request) • Help with Documentation • Submit graphic art, mockups • Submit patches • Gain trust with project lead
- 18. 18 Become a commiter (commit access) (be part of the team)
- 19. 19 Start your own project (become a project leader)
- 20. 20 FOSS in Sri Lanka
- 21. 21 Questions ?