Hey programming enthusiasts! 👋
We all know that Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) thrives on the strength of its community. From Linux to Apache, many FOSS projects have flourished due to the active involvement of contributors from around the world.
I’m curious to hear about your favorite FOSS software that has built a strong and active community around it. What projects do you admire for their ability to attract many contributors and sustain a vibrant ecosystem?
I’d love to start a discussion on the strategies and practices that can help in building and maintaining such thriving communities. What are some key factors that contribute to the success of FOSS projects in fostering collaboration, engagement, and growth? Share your insights, experiences, and tips on how we can create and nurture active communities around open-source software.
I personally found the concept of issue bounties through platforms like Open Collective to be a game-changer in sustaining open-source development. Now, with the recent announcement of Open Collective’s dissolution (Open Collective Official Statement - OCF Dissolution), I’m eager to learn about other ways that FOSS projects can secure funding and support from their communities.
Do you have any suggestions or experiences with different funding models or platforms that have proven effective in supporting FOSS projects? Let’s brainstorm together and share insights on how we can ensure the long-term sustainability of our favorite open-source initiatives.
Beyond All Reason, a FOSS RTS that is just absolutely amazing
Might have to give that a go
People interested in these topics might also be interested in taking a look at how Zig handles some of them, for added perspective. I don’t necessarily agree with all of the project lead’s ideas re: open-source funding, but I believe it’s worth knowing they exist.
Everything I read about Zig makes me like it more. This is honest dealings. Okay, I’ll try it on a microcontroller project and see how it goes.
Bbbblenderrrrr for sure. Dont know much about the community, but making software that people want to use and is relatovely easy to contribute to is of course fundamental to the rest.
Oh, wow, talk about timing.
Last week, I wrote a post asking for feedback for an idea to fund musicians. While the feedback was mostly positive, I realized that what I was proposing wasn’t necessarily restricted to musicians, and could be used as a model for all types of creative work. So I decided to take this whole thing and make a prototype for a “paid social media network where people and companies can contribute to anyone working in a creative project”
The idea of FOSS relying on a social network which isn’t itself open source doesn’t sound like a good idea. It already relies too much on github and discord.
But the social network can be open. My current idea is precisely to build this like communick (replacing Mastodon with Takahe) and make it on top of the activitypub-enabled services that can interop with other networks, except that to get accounts at the instances people need to pay the monthly subscription.
i’m all for periodic contributions through channels like open collective but bounties rarely get to the point of being persuading.
for a couple of years now my favorite foss project has been blender bim addon and its community osarch.
it has a unique aspect. the software stack it’s trying to be an alternative of includes giants like autodesk, nemetchek etc. although it’s a gigantic shoe to fill, it has been really really successful at doing what it’s doing. i have been using it for a year now and cannot fathom to go back.
the community consists of experienced construction sector people and a decent amount of them are directly involved in the software development, be it coding, bug triage, educational content, technical support etc.
i guess the thing that makes a project tick is having a working state software, the degree to which is not important, and being community oriented.
Building and Sustaining Vibrant FOSS Communities
Free and open-source software (FOSS) projects live and breathe through the strength of their communities. From Linux to MongoDB, some of the most widely used software today has been built through the collaborative efforts of contributors across the globe.
Here are some of the factors that can help FOSS projects cultivate an active, engaged community that drives development and innovation over the long run.
Funding Models That Sustain Open Source Work
Funding is oxygen for open source software. Platforms like Open Collective have pioneered issue bounties that incentivize contributions to FOSS projects. Although Open Collective itself is shutting down, other models like monthly subscriptions, bug bounties, and crowdfunding campaigns can help support ongoing development.
Building a Supportive Community Platform
An active Discord server, discussion forum or mailing list fosters closer collaboration within the user and contributor community. It facilitates conversations about new features, issues, and direction for the project. A vibrant community platform keeps engagement high even when development slows down.
Roadmaps and Transparency Around Development
A public roadmap on GitHub that outlines feature requests, bug fixes and other issues being tracked for the project is invaluable. It informs both users and contributors on what’s next for the software and when they can expect key updates. Over time, it builds trust and transparency.
Here are some more ideas that can help FOSS projects cultivate an active, engaged community that drives development and innovation over the long run:
- Have an inclusive, welcoming Code of Conduct
- Make the project easy for new contributors to get started
- Have good documentation and tutorials
- Respond quickly and helpfully to questions from new users/contributors
- Have an active chat/forum community
- Host regular video meetings open to community
- Spotlight community contributors and say thanks
- Have leadership opportunities and mentorships
- Set clear roadmaps and goals
- Enable easy bug reporting and feature requests
- Celebrate milestones and releases
- Host contributor sprints/hackathons (virtual or in-person)
- Create pathways for non-coders to contribute
- Have user experience testing groups
- Create personas and user stories
- Run usability studies on designs/flows
- Create sandboxes for experimentation
- Develop designer and content creator communities
- Build integrations with other tools developers use
- Create stickers, shirts, etc. with project logo
- Run contests and challenges with prizes
- Create fellowships and internship programs
- Give talks about project at local meetups
- Support localization into many languages
- Interview long-time contributors about history
- Highlight real-world project uses and users
- Create videos showing project usage
- Start podcasts with project updates
- Run social campaigns to promote the project
- Create gaming integrations and examples
- Build browser extension that uses project
- Create space on forums for non-work topics
- Encourage meme creation and jokes
- Send regular project newsletters
- Create chat channels focused on different locales
- Spotlight artists/creators using the project
- Show examples of project art and music
- Commission art for website/logo/graphics
- Create physical spaces to gather and work on project
- Crowdfund for community members to meet up
- Celebrate traditional open source dates (e.g. Software Freedom Day)
- Sticker exchanges across community meetups
- Create badges/flair for contributors
- Support students using the project for classwork
- Run research projects with universities
- Create sandboxes showcasing experimental features
- Have bounties for completing issues
- Spotlight companies supporting development
- Create easy surveys to gather user feedback
- Have rotating community member profiles
