Tag: advice

2024-10-09

Open source is not consent for experiments

You can do whatever you want with the code you download. But once you’re writing instead of reading, you need to be a good participant.

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2024-09-18

It’s okay to not do things

Just because you had the idea to do something, that doesn’t mean you’re obligated to do it. Some tasks can be skipped or delayed.

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2024-08-21

Companies: make sustainable contributions

We learned over the past year or two that corporate participation in an open source project is not guaranteed. The contributions a company makes need to be sustainable long after the company stops participating.

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2024-08-07

“Helping” versus being helpful

Every situation is different, so ask “would it be helpful if I _?” When you get agreement on your help, your work will be helpful.

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2024-07-24

A veneer of organization

Building up too much process early is a way to look busy without accomplishing anything. You have to fit it to the community’s need.

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2024-06-05

Public mistakes are a feature of open source

Everyone who is good at something has a trail of [mistakes] in their wake. Open source means sharing the learning experience with others.

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2024-04-24

On “predetermined” outcomes

You’re obliged to listen to the comments in good faith; you’re not obliged to be convinced by them.

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2024-04-10

Avoiding hero work pays off in the long run

Avoid burnout and maintain a culture that people want to be a part of by getting rid of hero work. It’s an investment in the long term.

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2024-04-03

“Field of Dreams” is not a strategy for community growth

Growing an open source community requires individual connections. The mere act of existence is not enough to build a community.

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2024-03-29

Getting started is just the start

You’ll need to continually refine processes as you go. That’s easier if you think beyond just what you need at the start.

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