[nycbug-talk] eurobsdcon

[G.Rosamond]

On May 23, 2004, at 8:00 PM, Dru wrote:

>
> Hello list members :-)
>
> I've been invited to give a non-technical talk aimed at users at this
> year's EuroBSDCon (www.eurobsdcon2004.de). I'll probably end up being 
> the
> only talk which isn't delivered by a developer aimed at (primarily)
> developers.
>
> I'm thinking of something along the lines of "but I'm not a programmer,
> how can I contribute to open source?" Does anyone have any suggestions 
> on
> what they'd like to see in such a presentation? So far I've come up 
> with:
>
> -finding an open source OS or project you're passionate about
>
> -using send-pr or particular project's bug reporting system
>
> -becoming a beta tester (e.g. playing with current on a spare system)
>
> -contributing documentation, tutorials, reviews

Good example. . .but make this more concrete and simplify.

"How I changed the default password encryption to Blowfish for my 
password file on FreeBSD"

"How I used a OpenBSD pf firewall for our web servers"

People do lots of simple things, that others would love to know about.

And book reviews. . .even on Amazon.com.

>
> -growing where you're planted (installing and showing off open source
>  software at your place of work/school
>
> -joining/starting user groups

Or even just starting a mailing list.  When people ask me about 
starting a user group, I tell them, start with a mailing list, post it 
on Daemon News.  Worry about setting up a meeting once you have 
critical mass.

>
> -volunteering at local high school, senior citizens residence, etc.
>
> -attending installfests (e.g. BSD booth at "Linux" installfest)

Talk to BSDMall/DN if they'll have a table at a major local event, in 
the US.

>
> What other ideas have you guys seen, done, or heard of? Which URLs are
> worth mentioning? Or is this talk even worth doing?
>

Create a list of vendors in your area who use or support BSD.

Peruse the various lists of each project and lurk on those that are 
relevant for your needs.  Contribute if appropirate.

Get on the various BSD www sites, including DN, undeadly.org, 
bsdforums, bsdvault, usenet, etc, and read, post, assist.  The virtual 
world is the base of the larger BSD community.  Everyone can 
contribute.

Try to get BSD related authors to speak at your local bookstore, UG 
meeting, Apple store or school.

Get a subscription to one or more of the CD's from BSDMall. . .the 
regular committment of money is very necessary for the continuation and 
growth of the projects.  Money is the big issue few talk about, but an 
issue that is critical.  For OBSD, eg, the costs are very high for 
their annual Hackathon, and the removal of the DARPA money was a big 
blow to their efforts.

Check the donate pages of each project.

The ug.oreilly.com site that *you* told me about earlier this week. . 
.probably worth mentioning.

Dru, I think this is a great topic, and certainly worth it.  Developers 
are the core of the BSD's, without doubt.

But most BSD sysadmins, users, etc, just plod along doing their thing, 
often feeling marginal from the projects.

In some ways, I'd argue, that's a reflection of the seriousness of the 
BSD's, but it's not a reason to maintain walls. . .

Sorry for the length.

g