1. Presented by Elizabeth Krumbach
Who Uses and Contributes to Open Source Projects (And how you can too!)
Presented by Elizabeth Krumbach

2. Who am I? I'm a Linux Sysadmin for LinuxForce in Philadelphia
I've done Ubuntu certification course development work for Canonical
I've written software tutorials for articles on my own website and online magazines
My first Open Source project contribution was in 2005
I am a software package maintainer
I am involved with various projects within Ubuntu
I am a member of the Ubuntu Community Council
I coordinate th Philadelphia area Linux Users Group (PLUG)
Got LinuxForce opportunity via PLUG
Certification work came my way due to Ubuntu involvement
Ubuntu: Women, PA LoCo, Classroom, Learning, elected to US Teams Board, Ubuntu Membership Board for Americas
I will try to mix things up, but based on my experience I will use a lot of examples from Ubuntu, Debian, Bitlbee

3. Misconceptions About Open Source
Just a thing for hobbyists
Not suitable for production
Written by “random people online”
No one pays for development
Programming experience is required to contribute

4. Who uses Open Source Software?

5. Open Source Running Websites

6. Other Places Open Source is Used
Over 50% of the sites on the internet use Open Source web software
Tivos
Amazon Kindle
Cellphones: Android, Palm Pre, Nokia N900
Routers: Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, Actiontec
Storage Devices: Maxtor, HP, iomega, Western Digital

7. Who Contributes Now?
Companies interested in development of products to fit their industry needs
Companies which profit from supporting their Open Source programs
Volunteer professionals doing development in their free time for fun or to advance their career
Hobbyists and students who enjoy the work

8. Why would I want to? What can I do? How do I start?
Getting Involved
Why would I want to?
What can I do?
How do I start?

9. Why would I want to?
Fun!
Friends!
Experience!
Opportunity!

10. Programming Working with Bugs Testing Documentation User Interface and Design Community and Support
First thing people think of.
Of course this is vital!
That said, that programming is less useful if no one can use your application, or get help, or find your software

11. How to begin involvement
Go to their website, look around
Join mailing list, chat, forums
Get a feel for the community
Find a task and start contributing!
Show some understanding of the project when you present your ideas
People don't appreciate new people joining their project and trying to rewrite everything without being familiar with the history, environment, culture
Not all projects accept contributions from new people immediately
Exceptions, sure! Bugs? It's ok to just jump in and report.

12. Questions?