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nobbis writes:
"Mihai Guiman recounts how he built an open source community, FINkers United, around an open source financial application, FinTP. He believes that an open source project cannot succeed without a powerful community to support its development, and explains how FINkers United changed as the project moved from closed to open source. The management structure evolved and he expects new hierarchies to emerge based on merit and contribution. He notes the benefits of joining such a community as sharing interests and having the ability to act on ideas according to your beliefs. He poses a pertinent questions at the end: 'Why would you join an open source community?'"
[ED Note: As most of the Open Source news we hear these days relates to decade-spanning well established projects, it's good to be reminded that this process still goes on, and to reflect on what it means to be building a community-centric news discussion site.]
(Score: 5, Insightful) by ticho on Wednesday February 19 2014, @05:39AM
"Why would you join an open source community?"
Because I have an interest in the particular piece software being developed, as its user. And maybe as a developer as well, but the "user" part is mandatory.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by mrbluze on Wednesday February 19 2014, @05:43AM
Because it is:
Probably more, but
Do it yourself, 'cause no one else will do it yourself.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by ticho on Wednesday February 19 2014, @07:15AM
All that comes second, unless you're primarily a show-off. Interest in underlying software comes first. Without it, there's no urge to participate.
And when the interest disappears (you found a better replacement, or you no longer need it), the things you enumerated can keep you in the community for a while longer, but only for limited time.
(Score: 1) by mrbluze on Wednesday February 19 2014, @07:34AM
Quite right, you have to believe in the thing you're working on, that's a primary motivator. But an open source project, nearly any project, has many more sides to it than software.
Do it yourself, 'cause no one else will do it yourself.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Vanderhoth on Wednesday February 19 2014, @07:44AM
I'm not sure who's right here, or at least who I agree with. Maybe both of you.
I joined an open source project by accident I made a couple tweaks to a project and because the "head guy" like what I did he asked if I'd take over management of a variant of the project. I agreed and I've been enjoying the kudos I've been getting for it for at least a year now. I was kind of worried it would turn out to be a million people screaming at me, but as it turns out everyone's been really friendly, offered great suggestions and generally seem very happy with the changes I've made and accepted to the project. I've learned a lot and I socialize quite a bit with the other developers.
I primary stay with the project because:
Although those aren't the reasons I join.
"Now we know", "And knowing is half the battle". -G.I. Joooooe
(Score: 3, Insightful) by similar_name on Wednesday February 19 2014, @05:54AM
Agreed, we're here because of or the pros of open source and community. Open source software setup by a community of developers so a community of users could stick together.
Building a tech community online:
Open source software + community = 1 week
Proprietary software + company = ???
Where can I vote for ACs to be Anonymous Cows? It should always be plural
(Score: 4, Insightful) by lhsi on Wednesday February 19 2014, @07:58AM
A lot of the time I have contributed to Open Source projects recently is by reporting bugs, trying to get them as detailed as possible. I even tested out a fix before it was added to a release version. I don't have the time to do much actual coding outside work, but I like to help where I can.
But yes, the "user" part is mandatory; I wouldn't be able to report bugs if I wasn't using the software.
(Score: 1) by dilbert on Wednesday February 19 2014, @09:14AM
I contribute my time helping others learn how to use the software as a way of saying thanks to the devs/community who have provided such great software to me over the years.
(Score: 3, Informative) by VLM on Wednesday February 19 2014, @11:08AM
"Why would you join an open source community?"
I'm in it for the groupies. You other folks have groupies, right?
(Score: 1) by Yog-Yogguth on Wednesday February 19 2014, @12:32PM
Yes, gazillionards of them.
Although I have to admit I'm in it for the mitosis.
Buck Feta? Duck Fice! And Guck Foogle too!