eg2010 collier neiman presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Getting involved :How YOU can make Evergreen
even better!
Karen Collier, Public Services LibrarianAndrea Buntz Neiman, Technical Services Librarian
Kent County Public Library
What is an Open-Source community? How is it unique?
• Open Source = free, like a free kitten
• Care and feeding of your OSS – it’s up to you!
• Ownership, with all its ups & downs
• Individuality, flexibility, responsibility
• Community is integral
• Many hands + many eyes = many improvements
• Active support is crucial
• What Evergreen needs from you
Why should I help?
• Altruism
• Intrinsic motivation
• Making the world a better place
• Holding hands in a circle …
• No, really. Why?
(well, it also involves a circle)
Positive Feedback Loop!
Greater interest in the software
Lower pricesBetter service
Active community
More users
More support companies
Free market competition
More potential for collaboration
Better software
How can I help?
• Something for everyone!
• Techie, non-techie, and everyone else
• Those with lots of time (who are they anyway?) and the rest of us overscheduled people
• Contribute what you can, according to your ability
• Always be on the lookout for new ways to help!
Techie and Time Scales
Ask questions!
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Asking questions on the listserv, increasing your own knowledge of Evergreen
Who do I talk to? General Discussion List
Networking
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Speaking with other library and technology people, sharing your Evergreen experiences, exchanging ideas
Who do I talk to? Anyone!
Collaborate on funding development
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Communicating with other Evergreen libraries and identifying areas for collaborative development or the collaborative funding of development
Who do I talk to? Other Evergreen libraries
Bug reporting / Suggesting features
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Identifying and reporting software bugs to the development community; suggesting areas for future development or new features
Who do I talk to? Development Discussion List
Personal advocacy
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Do you love Evergreen? Then tell the world! Be willing to present to your colleagues about your Evergreen/OSS success stories. Field questions from libraries considering taking the Evergreen plunge.
Who do I talk to? The unconvinced!
Evergreen Organization
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Participating in setting up a foundation, nonprofit, or other type of organization to represent community interests and assets.
Who do I talk to? Elizabeth McKinney, [email protected]
Documentation
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Participation in DIG, the Evergreen Documentation Interest Group, documenting software features & creating manuals for administrators and end users
Who do I talk to? Karen, [email protected] or Documentation Discussion List
Discussion lists
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Answering questions on the various listservs, whether general questions or specific development questions. Contributing to these lists.
Who do I talk to? General and Development Lists
Contributing code and patches
Technical Skill Level:
Time commitment:
What it involves: Evaluating existing source code, writing & contributing patches and/or fixes, and contributing towards future development of Evergreen software
Who do I talk to? Development Discussion List
Where do I begin?
• We’re going to begin right now!
• Let’s start a discussion of other ways we can contribute, building on the ideas in this conversation
• Remember, this starts with YOU!
Getting More Info
• Discussion Lists
• Subscribe at http://evergreen-ils.org/listserv.php
• Evergreen Documentation Interest Group
• Contact [email protected]
• Visit http://evergreen-ils.org/documentation.php
• Evergreen Foundation / Nonprofit
• Contact, Elizabeth McKinney, [email protected]
• Other committees (see “General” listserv)
• Conference committee
• Others – suggestions?
