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An introduction written by Brad Frost, author of Atomic Design. Brad associates open source and the web as foundational collaborative works of people. Regular people. He highlights part of Brian's journey where they met on the Pattern Lab open source project, and what we can learn from that brief period of time, still resonant today.
A conceptual understanding of open source's origins and strictest definitions. Can it be more? We glance at the interconnectedness of our communities, and hint at the parts we can play in them.
An exploration of all the ways we can engage with open source projects. This ain't a mountain to climb though, we can each bring our unique skillsets and interests to any project. I promise, you have something unique to offer.
A deeper dive into dependencies as a double-edged sword. We cannot help but use them, and therefore they must be wielded with care. How can we evaluate the need for a dependency beyond GitHub stars and download counts. And what if we don't need a dependency at all?
We frame every open source project against four files. I won't keep you in suspense. I prioritize the README, LICENSE, CHANGELOG, and CODE_OF_CONDUCT files. We cover an array of conceptual and technical topics, and get real real when talking about licenses.
Overwhelmed yet? That's how it can be. This chapter highlights ways you can invest further in your project as an investment in yourself and others. Time is our critical resource, so we cover impactful decisions and automation. Be wary to steer your community where you want it to go.
You don't need permission to do your job. Engaging with open source is already the norm, because you consume it. This chapter highlights ways you can energize yourself, your team, and your company to give more of a damn. I am not kidding, and I offer practical advice to make it happen. Open source is the tangible manifestation of larger craftsmanship and community values.
You cannot take care of someone else if you aren't taking care of yourself. This is sustainability on a personal and systemic level. How do we deal with disappointment, burnout, and the inevitable desire to walk away? Let's frame our work against broader timescales, and remember why this matters.
If you made it this far, you have my thanks and now my challenge.
Tools mentioned in the book or otherwise hinted at.
A small thanks.
Links and references for further reading and exploration.
190 pages
38 full color images
37 resources
300+ links
1 low price
Approachable Open Source by Brian Muenzenmeyer is a culmination of years of wisdom earned in the open source trenches. This book is a beautiful exploration of humanity in open source, serving as the perfect companion for finding your community in the often intimidating world of open source software. Essential reading for front-end developers looking to level up as contributors and maintainers. Brian has written the open source manual that maintainers have been waiting for.
Abby Cabunoc Mayes, Open Source Leader at GitHub, Formerly Open Leadership and Open Source at Mozilla
I know how intimidating open source can seem from the outside...believe me—it can feel like a world governed by a seemingly endless number of unspoken rules and opaque standards. Approachable Open Source is the clear, empathetic guide that I wish I'd had all those years ago. By the time I'd reached the end, all my fears of the unknown would have been replaced by a readiness to get involved and start contributing. I bet you'll feel the same way, and I can't wait to see what we can build together.
Mat "Wilto" Marquis, Author, JavaScript for Web Designers
Terrific value, and a great read!
Paula Paul, Distinguished Engineer, CTO, OpenJS Board Member
If you written code before, you should buy this book. If you’ve ever spent any time on GitHub, you should buy this book. If you care about the web, you should buy this book. If you could use some inspiration, perspective, and practical advice, you should buy this book.
Brad Frost, Author, Atomic Design
Can't recommend it enough for folks who want a holistic view of what open source really means at the ground level.
Coraline Ada Ehmke, creator of Contributor Covenant & Hippocratic License. Big-time open source troublemaker and sworn enemy of the status quo.