[nycbug-talk] eurobsdcon

[Hans Zaunere]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: talk-bounces at lists.nycbug.org 
> [mailto:talk-bounces at lists.nycbug.org] On Behalf Of Dru
> Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 8:00 PM
> To: NYC Bug List
> Subject: [nycbug-talk] eurobsdcon
> 
> 
> 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
> 
> -growing where you're planted (installing and showing off 
> open source  software at your place of work/school
> 
> -joining/starting user groups
> 
> -volunteering at local high school, senior citizens residence, etc.
> 
> -attending installfests (e.g. BSD booth at "Linux" installfest)
> 
> What other ideas have you guys seen, done, or heard of? Which 
> URLs are worth mentioning? Or is this talk even worth doing?

I think it'd certainly be worth doing.  Depending on how non-technical
you want to get, there's often an overlooked aspect of open source. 

Just like any project (whether it be software or not) there are
mangerial and organizational issues that are often overlooked.
Programmers are good at programming, but typically not organizing.

I think there could be much more open source success (especially for the
smaller projects) if non-technicals could feel welcome and knowing how
they can participate.  This is why I think this talk has a lot of value.
Think project management, marketing (a term I use loosely), financial
considerations, legal considerations, etc.  This brings in people with
little or no skill technically, but that offer skills most tech-savvies
don't have.  The merge of these skills, however, truely makes success.

H