traction - cisofy · traction getting traction for (your) open source projects michael boelen...
TRANSCRIPT
TractionGetting Traction for (your) Open Source Projects
Michael [email protected]
T-DOSE 2016, 12 November (NLLGG track)
Why? (developers)
Promote your open source project● Users● Feedback● Invisible benefits
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Why? (non-developers)
Use your knowledge● Contribute● Improve software you use● Enhance your resume
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Michael Boelen● Open Source
○ Lynis, Rootkit Hunter
● Business○ Founder of CISOfy
● Other○ Blogger at Linux-Audit.com○ Board member and program committee NLUUG
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Traction?
Something that is “going” and grows (quickly)
Example: my open source project, that continuously gains in popularity, and becomes well-known.
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● Trade shows● Affiliate programs● Offline advertising● Search Engine
Marketing● Social advertisements● Viral marketing● Business development● Public relations
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Traction Channels● Search Engine
Optimization● Content management● Demo’s● Community building● Speaking engagements● Reaching out to blogs● Social sharing● Email marketing
Is that really needed for FOSS?
Importance of Traction
Software is written to be used
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Translating to Open Source
Components● Quality of software● Promotion● Community
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Promotion
Experiment
Great tip: …………………...by @mboelen at @TDOSE (@nllgg track)
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Low-hanging fruit
● Remember (or forget…)● Length● Goal
Name
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GoodRootkit Hunter(rkhunter)
Name
BadLynis
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Change Log
● History● Trust● Troubleshooting
16Learn more: keepachangelog.com
Documentation
● README.md● Get Started● Other documentation
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Project Description
GitHub SEO
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Best Practices for CLI--full-throttle-engine, -f--help, -h, or help--version, -V
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Learn more: doctopt.org
Best Practices for CLI● Share progress● Dots
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Best Practices for CLI
● Use exit codes● Data output● Integrations
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Updates
● Newer is better?● Perform update check● Make it easy
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Releases
● Release often● Who picks it up?● RSS
Trick https://github.com/CISOfy/lynis/releases.atom
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Packages
Good● Promotion● Easy of use
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Bad● Needs maintainer● The “stable” bug
Takeaways
● Structure● Simplicity● Quality
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High-hanging fruit
Sites about news/tools
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GitHub
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Referral
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Social Media
● Interact● Share at the right time● Challenge
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Takeaways
● Know good sources● Share and promote● Monitor activity
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High traffic websites
● Hacker News● Reddit● Slashdot● TechRepublic
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Quality traffic (for security)
● Packet Storm Security● ToolsWatch
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Jackpot
PersonalDirect feedbackFans
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HN Effect
Traffic2016-11-04: 44782016-11-05: 16562016-11-06: 1201
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HN Effect
Stars2016-11-02: 11102016-11-04: 12002016-11-05: 17702016-11-06: 21302016-11-07: 23402016-11-08: 2670
Source: http://www.timqian.com/star-history/#CISOfy/lynis 38
GitHub (Trending)
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Side effects
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The “sticky” effect
There is more behind the peak
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Jackpot Multipliers
● Ask● Networking● Persistance
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Lessons learned
1 - Be a Marketeer
Promotion is needed
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2 - Humble versus Pride
Balance
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3 - Quality
It takes time:● Get the basics right● Focus on simplicity● Understand your users
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More?
Articles on linux-audit.com● Why we use your open source project (or not) ● How to Promote your Open Source Project
Share this presentation! ;-)
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Questions?
Connect● Twitter (@mboelen)● LinkedIn (Michael Boelen)
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