VoV031: “Panelists Contributing to Opensource: Do Good, Do Well” (Pt. 1)

Panel: Divya SasidharanCharles Max WoodJoe EamesChris FritzErik HanchettJohn Papa Special Guest: No Guest(s) In this episode, the panel talks amongst themselves on the topic: how does one contribute to opensource work? They discuss their various ways that they contribute, such as speaking at conferences, recording videos for YouTube, podcasting, among others. Check-out today’s episode to get some insight and inspiration of how YOU can contribute to YOUR community!  Show Topics: 1:31 – Erik: Contributing to opensource – and being a good resource for the community. Contributing and still making a living. If people want to make this more sustainable and doing work for the community. 2:26 – Chuck: What do you been by “contributing” – because people could think that “code contributions” would be it. 2:50 – Erik: Answering people’s questions in a chat, code contributions, or doing a podcast or doing a blog posts. I think there are a lot of ways to contribute. Really anything to make their lives and work easier. 3:33 – Panelist: Can we go around and ask the panel individually what THEY do? It could be as simple as mentoring someone at your work. I’m curious to see what the panelist members have done. Sometimes you can get paid for those contributions. 4:40 – Panelist: I am super scared to contribute source code. I really love organizing things: Meetups, conferences, etc. That’s my favorite sort of work. It is also terrifying, though, too. Educational content and organizing conferences are my favorite ways to contribute. 6:10 – Panelist: Why is that attractive for you? 6:22 – Panelist: That’s a good question. I’ve already started planning for the 2022 conference. It’s very physical – there are people that are present. Very direct interaction. My second favorite is sometimes I will teach at local boot camp, and the topic is about interviewing. There is interaction there, too. 8:32 – Panelist: Why do you think organizing conferences is useful? 8:46 – Panelist: Top way is that I will hear stories after the fact. “Oh I came to the conference, met this person, and now I have a new job that pays 30% more...thank you!” Stories like that are rewarding. It’s a ripple effect. A conference the main thing you are putting out there are videos (main product) going to YouTube. The people that are there, at the conference, are interacting people and they are making friends and making contacts. It inspires them to do better. John Papa just goes out there to talk into the hallway. You can talk to Chris Fritz in the hall. Make yourself available. You are the celebrities and people want to meet you. 12:20 – Panel talks about how desperate they are to talk to Chris. 12:36 – Panelist: Going to conferences and meeting other people. 13:08 – Panelist: Taking part of conferences in other ways. That’s something that you do Divya Sasidharan? 13:33 – Divya: It depends on your personality. You get to speak as a speaker, because you get visibility fast. I don’t think you don’t have to speak if you don’t want to speak. Anything within your community that is beneficial. Or the one-to-one interactions are great. Having a conversation with another...