Hello,
Currently, when newcomers come to Fedora and look to join the project, we have a task-oriented system. We tend to say "Find something to do, get started---ask for help when you need to!"
Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. It's a passive, task oriented model. Some tasks require newcomers to learn quite a few tools and skills. While newcomers do meet other Fedora contributors, the focus here is on using the task to become a part of Fedora.
We thought we could try a new people-centric approach.
Fedora is not the OS. Fedora is the people. The OS and all the cool deliverables we produce are merely means to achieve our goal---promoting Free and Open Source Software.
So, in this new system, when newcomers come to Fedora, we try to get them to meet the people first. Once they've met the people and become part of the Fedora community, we help them learn the skills and contribute to our deliverables.
We discussed this with the Mindshare team and got positive feedback so we're now putting this in motion: https://pagure.io/mindshare/issue/147
Here are the implementation details:
- Newcomers will be directed to a page like this: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Welcome
- We'll encourage them to come and speak to people in the Fedora-Join channels.
- We'll help them create an FAS account if they don't have one yet.
- We'll file a ticket for them here: https://pagure.io/fedora-join/Welcome-to-Fedora
- We'll help them explore Fedora, learn what tools and processes we use.
- If needed, we'll add them to a FAS group temporarily so that they can edit the wiki etc.
- We'll keep in touch with them regularly using the ticket to see where we can help.
The final idea is that over time as they get comfortable with the people, and infrastructure that we use, they will find something that interests them and also contribute to our goal.
The system will not be perfect right from the start---we'll keep tweaking it as we go. Feedback is welcome. If you want to help, please reply to this e-mail and we'll find you something to do ;)
Tickets filed for this:
- https://pagure.io/fedora-join/Fedora-Join/issue/160 - https://pagure.io/fedora-join/Fedora-Join/issue/161 - https://pagure.io/fedora-join/Fedora-Join/issue/162
Hello. Probably FranciscoD already know what I think. Anyway I want to share some more thoughts. I agree with the people-centric view.
On Sun, 2019-09-22 at 17:55 +0100, ankursinha wrote:
Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. It's a passive, task oriented model. Some tasks require newcomers to learn quite a few tools and skills. While newcomers do meet other Fedora contributors, the focus here is on using the task to become a part of Fedora.
Another point is that a community needs people in order to stay alive and vibrant. People that talk (I mean, write) and that interact with each other. People that is interested and curious to know how things works, and people that is happy to explain things and to share knowledge. Sometimes this doesn't happen: people doesn't know how and where to contribute. And doesn't interact: for fear? Afraid of being teased? They think that it is all too difficult? Lack of involvement? Lack of time? They don't feel welcomed? Maybe there is a potential in a person, but nobody (neither himself) know that. And many times it is objectively difficult to contribute: the engine is already running, where can I be useful? Maybe the project doesn't need my work.
But! I think that in a community it is also important, as I said, in order to keep it active, it is important to "speak" (to write, in this case). Well, let's make another example on the other hand: a veteran contributor that write an announcement, that write a news, and nobody that answer. Or someone that write an idea, and nobody give any feedback. This could be frustrating after a while. Leading to a silent mailing list, a silent forum, etc.
And: it is not important to find something to do as soon as I join the community. The important thing is to stay around. Read various mailing lists, read the community blog, the magazine. Look around in the various pagure projects. Maybe after a month, maybe after a year, something happens and suddenly I find my place in the community. The important thing is to stay in the loop, and to keep people in the loop.
Fedora is not the OS. Fedora is the people. The OS and all the cool deliverables we produce are merely means to achieve our goal--- promoting Free and Open Source Software.
I agree.
As I said many times, too many people, I mean, too many users (of any FLOSS project) consider themselves merely "users". I use this product, I pretend something from the developers. I'm not satisfied, I rant somewhere, if I can I choose another "product". (At the same time I don't like the answer: if you don't give back anything to the community, you should shut up.) The point is: it is not mandatory to be an assembler developer, a sysadmin hero, or the greatest engineer in the world in order to contribute. Sometimes it's simpler than we think. Also writing about our own experiences is a way to contribute. I achieved such goal using that software; I installed Fedora on my daughter notebook and she doesn't noticed that she is able to do her daily jobs without any trouble.
So yes, participation is the key.
Ciao, A.
fedora-join@lists.fedoraproject.org
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alciregi＠gmail.com -
ankursinha