LINFO2401 project report - Contributing to an Open Source project : If Me
| Author | Benita Tia |
|---|---|
| Date | 01/12/2024 |
| NOMA | 18821600 |
| Academic Year | 2024-2025 |
| Open Source Project | If-me |
| Pull request made | Blog Post |
| License | AGPL License 3.0 |
Introduction
Finding an interesting open-source project was not an easy task. After extensive research, I came across If Me, a project available on the Up For Grabs platform. This project immediately caught my attention as it addresses mental health, a topic that deeply interests me. If Me is a community that encourages sharing personal mental health experiences with trusted allies: friends, family, coworkers, teachers, or mental health professionals.
The project not only aligns with my interests but is also marked as beginner friendly. Therefore, I decided to dive in.
Project Selection
The first step was to explore their GitHub repository. In the CONTRIBUTING section, I discovered several ways to contribute: designer, developer, writer, or user tester. They even mentioned being open to creating new roles for interested contributors.
Initially, I wanted to contribute as a translator to provide a French version of the site, but I found out that someone had already done this. Undeterred, I explored their website, signed up, and decided to write an article for their blog. This aligned well with my skills and habits since I’m already used to blogging on my own site.
Community Engagement
Contributing to an open-source project requires following specific steps. At If Me, the process is straightforward:
- Send an email to their address (join.ifme@gmail.com) explaining why and how you want to contribute.
- If the proposal is accepted, the contributor is added to their Slack workspace and receives an invitation to join their GitHub repository.
I followed this procedure and, fortunately, I was accepted into their Slack workspace. Once integrated, I joined their #blog channel, where discussions specific to writing take place.
Understanding the Contribution Process
The contribution process at If Me is structured and clear. For the blog writing part, here are the steps to follow:
-
Drafting and collaboration on Google Docs:
- Write the article on Google Docs and grant editing permissions to the team.
- Thoroughly proofread the draft using tools like Grammarly.
-
Share the draft on Slack:
- Post a link to the draft in the
#blogchannel to receive feedback.
- Post a link to the draft in the
-
Publish on Medium:
- Create a Medium account.
- Copy and paste the article into Medium, save it as a draft, and inform the editor (@julia on Slack).
When it came time to publish my article, I decided to do so anonymously. I didn’t want the content to show up in searches of my name, as it felt personal. I was also surprised to learn that writers are rewarded with $25 for their contributions. We have the choice to either keep the money or donate it to a cause we care about. Given that this was part of a course, I chose to donate, and I selected Human Appeal: Urgency for Gaza, as the Palestinian cause is one that is very close to my heart.
I learned that the key to a successful contribution lies in effective communication and constructive feedback before submitting a final proposal.
Understanding the Project
If Me is a platform built on strong human values:
- Encouraging discussions about mental health.
- Involving trusted allies in the healing process.
Some technical and organizational details:
- License: The source code is licensed under GNU AGPLv3.
- Sponsors: If Me is supported by sponsors like Triplebyte and The Tides Foundation and also accepts financial contributions via Open Collective.
- Financial structure: Transparency is essential. Any expense submitted by a contributor must be validated by core contributors.
The live site can be accessed at if-me.org, and the project is actively maintained thanks to a motivated and well-organized team.
My Opinion on the Project
I find this project not only interesting but also incredibly necessary. It can provide real support to people suffering from severe depression or anxiety by enabling them to connect with their allies easily. As an accessible and human-centered tool, If Me can become a valuable companion in its users’ daily lives.
However, I do not plan to contribute to this project further. While this experience was enriching, I now prefer to invest my time in other initiatives. Nevertheless, I am proud to have discovered and supported this project, even in a small way.
Conclusion
This experience allowed me to understand the importance of having a clear structure in an open-source project and the value of honest and collaborative communication. I also appreciated the If Me community's commitment to its contributors and users.
I leave with a better understanding of open-source contribution dynamics and a deep admiration for projects that aim to improve people’s lives.