[UbuntuWomen] Suggestions for OSS project participants?

[Joel Bryan Juliano]

On 3/17/07, Vid Ayer <svaksha at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Meg,
>
> On 3/16/07, Meg Kurdziolek <meg.kurdziolek at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I think there is a lot of hidden talent in our group, but we just
> haven't
> > found the appropriate outlet for it. Talking about myself specifically,
> I'm
> > a CS major with programming background in C, C++, and Java. Have a need
> for
> > anyone like that? I've never participated in a FOSS project before, so
> I'd
> > need a lot of mentoring and tutoring at first about how things are done.
> >
> > I think for a lot of people (not just women) its hard to find a place to
> > start.
>
> Right.... at first its more about tackling the fear of goofing up and
> being ridiculed/pulled up for it publicly, That fear keeps most people
> away which is where  mentoring in UW steps in. If you see anything
> that needs to be worked on, just ask here or feel free to contact
> people (offlist if you wish) specifying the task/area you are
> interested in working on. They will point out resources that can get
> things moving.


My advice to be part of a FOSS project, is just "do it".
In my early days, I have the most difficult times on keeping up
with everything that I'm so interested in.
I don't have my own computer, and I go to my friends house just
to use an internet and visit gnome.org everytime I got connected.
When I first saw MacOSX, I was so in loved with it. since I can't afford it,
I told myself that when I learn some basic programming, I'll try my best to
make Linux as easy as MacOSX. I print the GTK+ API documentation
and learned so much from it. During my college years, I was so eager
to make software for Linux, since it is my dream, I accept every software
project opportunity from other students, and suddenly got very overwhelmed
with too much project and requires a lot of responsibility and realized,
"OMG! there's no turning back, I'm on real big trouble!". Without a computer
and an internet connection, I was still so optimistic that I can meet the
demands, and so I learned in order to meet the demands, I'll just have to
jump right in and "just do it". Since I'm in a computer school, I agree to
make their software projects in favor of lending me their computers so I can
install Linux on it and create their software.

This is just my experience I want to share.

And about being ridiculed and goofing up, as long as you believe in your
dreams and following it, what the hell other people think..

Joel

We *dont* expect perfection or expertise in anything.... we are just
> happy that you took the time to help us out!
>
> If anyone is apprehensive about using their real identities online
> (what if a recruiter googles and finds out that newbie query posted 5
> years ago?) they can use a nick. The downside is getting credit for
> the work you have done.
>
> Hope that helps!
> --
> thanks,
> Vid
> http://www.svaksha.com
>
> --
> ubuntu-women mailing list
> ubuntu-women at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-women
>
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