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Open Source Your GitHub Project

Piotr Gaczkowski

Going open source is much more than releasing the code. This course will teach you how to care for your open source product and the community around it.

Read more

Going open source is much more than releasing the code. This course will teach you how to care for your open source product and the community around it.

Releasing a product to the open source community can bring you a lot of users, but it also poses challenges. In this course, Open Source Your GitHub Project, you’ll learn to lead a project that the users will love. First, you’ll explore the responsibilities of a project maintainer. Next, you’ll discover how to build, grow, and nurture the community. Finally, you’ll learn how to ensure the longevity of your project. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of open source licensing, community management, and product development needed to maintain a successful open source project.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
Open Source GitHub Community Building Project Management Software Development

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
The Role of the Open Source Maintainer
Choosing an Open Source License
Managing a Project on GitHub
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores software licensing, a critical component of open source development
Teaches essential strategies for open source community building
Taught by experts in open source software development
Ideal for developers looking to open source their own software
Covers key best practices for managing open source projects
Provides valuable insights into the business of open source

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Open source project maintenance essentials

According to students, this course offers a largely positive overview of open source project maintenance. Learners particularly praise its ability to demystify open source licensing and provide actionable strategies for community building and engagement. Many found it highly effective in clarifying the role and responsibilities of an open source maintainer. However, a noticeable portion of learners noted that the GitHub-specific content appeared somewhat outdated. While providing a solid foundational framework, a few experienced developers felt certain sections were too basic, wishing for more technical depth or hands-on activities. Overall, it's considered very valuable for those new to or aspiring to the maintainer role.
Best for those new to maintenance, potentially basic for experienced developers.
"It's truly for maintainers, not just coders. Highly recommend for anyone serious about OS!"
"For experienced developers, this might be too basic. Newbies might find it helpful, but not for me."
"Some parts about GitHub were a little too basic for my experience level, but overall, it provided great value on community strategies."
"This course is a good high-level guide for open source project maintainers."
Emphasizes management, legal, and community over technical deep dives.
"This course clarifies the often-overlooked aspects of open source beyond just writing code."
"Its strength is in the soft skills and legal guidance."
"The best course I've found on truly *maintaining* an open source project. It goes beyond the initial release..."
"It really emphasizes the non-coding aspects."
Offers actionable advice for fostering and managing an open source community.
"I particularly appreciated the practical advice on community engagement and handling contributions on GitHub."
"The strategies for growing a community are well-articulated and actionable."
"I particularly liked the discussion around managing expectations and dealing with difficult community members."
"The instructor's insights on community dynamics and long-term project sustainability were invaluable."
Some GitHub-specific examples and UI elements are not current.
"I found some of the GitHub specific parts to be a bit outdated, like certain UI elements or recommended workflows."
"Also, as mentioned by others, the GitHub interface examples seemed a bit old. Needs an update to reflect current practices and UI."
"The GitHub sections were especially weak and didn't offer anything I couldn't find in their documentation. Disappointed."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Open Source Your GitHub Project with these activities:
Review Linux Basics
Having a strong understanding of Linux commands and navigation can help build a solid base for further learning.
Browse courses on Linux
Show steps
  • Familiarize yourself with the command line interface (CLI).
  • Practice using basic Linux commands, such as ls, cd, mkdir, and rm.
  • Work with files and directories, including creating, moving, and deleting them.
  • Install and configure software packages using package managers like apt or yum.
Try Out GitHub
Exploring GitHub's features and functionality can enhance your understanding of open source project management.
Browse courses on GitHub
Show steps
  • Create a GitHub account and set up your profile.
  • Follow the tutorials to create a repository, add files, and commit changes.
  • Collaborate with others by creating issues and pull requests.
Organize a Study Group
Participating in a study group allows you to engage with other learners, share knowledge, and reinforce concepts.
Browse courses on Collaborative Learning
Show steps
  • Find other students in your course or community who are interested in forming a study group.
  • Establish a regular meeting schedule and location.
  • Take turns leading group discussions and presentations on course topics.
  • Work together on practice problems and assignments.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend a Workshop on Open Source Best Practices
attending a workshop can provide in-depth insights into the best practices and methodologies for maintaining open source projects.
Browse courses on Community Management
Show steps
  • Identify a workshop that covers topics relevant to your interests.
  • Register for the workshop and prepare any necessary materials.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.
  • Take notes and follow up on any resources or materials provided by the workshop organizers.
Contribute to an Existing Open Source Project
Actively contributing to an open source project enables you to engage with the community firsthand and experience firsthand the challenges and rewards of open source development.
Show steps
  • Find a project that aligns with your interests and skillset.
  • Review the project's documentation and contribution guidelines.
  • Identify an issue or feature you can contribute to.
  • Create a pull request with your proposed changes.
  • Collaborate with the maintainers to refine and merge your contribution.
Build a Sample Open Source Project
Creating a simple open source project allows you to apply the principles and practices learned in the course to a practical scenario.
Browse courses on Project Management
Show steps
  • Define the scope and purpose of your project.
  • Choose an appropriate open source license.
  • Set up a repository and implement your project.
  • Write documentation and test your project thoroughly.
  • Publish your project on GitHub and promote it to the community.
Write a Blog Post or Article
Producing your content related to the course material can help you deepen your understanding and articulate your thoughts on open source.
Browse courses on Content Creation
Show steps
  • Identify a specific topic or aspect of open source that you're passionate about.
  • Research and gather information to support your ideas.
  • Structure your article or blog post with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Write in a clear and engaging style, using examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.
  • Publish your article or blog post online and share it with your network.
Participate in a Hackathon or Coding Challenge
Engaging in a hackathon or coding challenge can test your skills, foster collaboration, and expose you to innovative ideas in the open source community.
Browse courses on Problem Solving
Show steps
  • Find a hackathon or coding challenge that aligns with your interests and skillset.
  • Team up with other participants or work independently.
  • Develop a solution to the challenge within the given timeframe.
  • Present your solution to a panel of judges or the community.

Career center

Learners who complete Open Source Your GitHub Project will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Open Source Developer
Open Source Developers create and maintain open source software. Open source software is free to use and modify, and it is often developed collaboratively by a community of developers. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help those who want to become Open Source Developers build a foundation in open source software development. It may help teach them how to effectively manage open source projects and communities, two important aspects in the world of open source development.
See salaries and explore the career path for Open Source Developer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers research, design, develop, and test software systems, applications, and programs. There are several different kinds of Software Engineers, from Front End to Back End to Data Science. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Software Engineers build a foundation for open source software development. It may give them a deeper understanding of the importance of open source and how to effectively manage it. The course may also provide valuable insight into managing open source communities, a growing trend in the tech industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Software Developer
Software Developers research, design, develop, and test software systems, applications, and programs. There are several different kinds of Software Developers, from Front End to Back End to Data Science. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," provides valuable insights into the open source community, a growing segment in the software development industry. By gaining a deeper understanding of open source management, aspiring Software Developers may gain a competitive edge in today's tech job market.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, organize, and lead projects. They ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Project Managers build a foundation in open source project management. It may teach them about the challenges and rewards of open source project management, as well as how to effectively manage open source communities. This course may be particularly attractive to those who have experience with GitHub, the most popular repository for open source software projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Community Manager
Community Managers build and manage online communities. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Community Managers gain a deeper understanding of open source software development. This may allow them to more effectively manage open source communities, a growing segment in the tech industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the planning, development, and release of products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Product Managers build a stronger understanding of open source software development. This may enable them to more effectively plan and develop open source products, a growing market in today's tech industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Software Quality Assurance Analyst
Software Quality Assurance (QA) Analysts test software to ensure that it meets quality standards. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Software QA Analysts gain a deeper understanding of open source software development. This may allow them to more effectively test open source software, a growing market in today's tech industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Quality Assurance Analyst
Technology Evangelist
Technology Evangelists promote and educate potential customers about a company's products and services. This can include giving presentations, writing blog posts, and creating videos. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Technology Evangelists gain a deeper understanding of open source software development. This may enable them to more effectively promote and educate potential customers about open source products and services.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Evangelist
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for software and other technical products. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Technical Writers gain a deeper understanding of open source software development. This may allow them to more effectively document open source products, a growing segment in the tech industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems. They work with data to build models and make predictions. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Data Scientists build a foundation in open source software development. It may teach them how to use open source tools and technologies to collect and analyze data. The course may also provide valuable insight into managing open source projects, a growing trend in the data science industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Engineering Manager
Engineering Managers plan, organize, and oversee the work of an engineering team. They ensure that engineering projects are completed on time and within budget. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," can provide valuable insights into the open source community, a growing segment in the engineering world. By gaining a deeper understanding of open source management, aspiring Engineering Managers may gain a competitive edge in today's tech job market.
See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Manager
Software Development Manager
Software Development Managers are in charge of every aspect of a software development team. They plan the development process, manage the budget, and ensure the team meets deadlines. Often, they have a background in software development themselves. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," can provide valuable insights into the software development process, including the open source community. It may help aspiring Software Development Managers better understand the needs of open source developers, a valuable commodity in today's tech environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Development Manager
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of computer systems. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Systems Administrators gain a deeper understanding of open source software, a growing segment in the IT industry. This may allow them to more effectively manage and maintain open source systems, saving valuable time and resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Educator
Educators teach students about a variety of subjects. This course, "Open Source Your GitHub Project," may help aspiring Educators gain a deeper understanding of open source software development. This may allow them to more effectively teach students about open source software, a growing segment in the tech industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Open Source Your GitHub Project.
Cover image
The Art of Community
Save
Practical guide to building and managing open source communities. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to create a welcoming and inclusive community, how to motivate and retain contributors, and how to deal with conflict.
The Art of Community: Building the New Age of...
Paperback
$$
The Art of Community: Building the New Age of...
Paperback
$$
The Art of Community (text only) 1st (First)...
Paperback
$$$
The Art of Community: Building the New Age of...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Cathedral & the Bazaar
Save
Classic work on the history and philosophy of open source software. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the open source movement.
The Cathedral & the Bazaar: Musings on Linux and...
Kindle Edition
$$
The Cathedral & the Bazaar: Musings on Linux and...
Hardcover
$$
The Cathedral & the Bazaar
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
The Pragmatic Programmer
Save
Is not specific to open source software development, but it valuable resource for any software developer.
The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey To Mastery,...
Hardcover
$$
Pragmatic Programmer, The: From Journeyman to Master
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Pragmatic Programmer - Edizione del 20°...
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Il Pragmatic Programmer: Guida per manovali del...
Kindle Edition
$$
(中文) The Pragmatic Programmer: access to the highest...
Paperback
$$
Pragmatic programmer (Korean Edition)
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
The Architecture of Open Source Applications,...
Save
Technical guide to the architecture of open source applications. It covers a wide range of topics, including the different types of open source architectures, the best practices for designing open source applications, and the challenges of maintaining open source applications.
The Architecture of Open Source Applications,...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Git Pocket Guide
Save
Quick reference guide to the Git version control system.
Git Pocket Guide: A Working Introduction
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
OSINT Techniques
Save
Practical guide to open source intelligence techniques. It covers a wide range of topics, including how to find and use open source data, how to analyze open source data, and how to use open source data to solve problems.
OSINT Techniques: Resources for Uncovering Online...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Practical guide to the Lean Startup methodology.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Crossing the Chasm, 3rd Edition
Save
Classic work on marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers.
Crossing the Chasm, 3rd Edition: Marketing and...
Paperback
$$
(中文) Crossing the Chasm: A Guide to Marketing Disruptive...
Paperback
$$
Crossing the Chasm, 3rd Edition: Marketing and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Traction
Save
Practical guide to getting customers for your startup.
Traction
Paperback
$$
(Français) Traction - Comment toute start-up peut développer...
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Traction. Le strategie vincenti per ottenere una...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword
Save
Classic work on the challenges of innovation in large organizations.
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Hardcover
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Audio CD
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Time
125 hours
Level
Intermediate
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Piotr Gaczkowski
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Collaborative Coding with GitHub. It's comprised of nine courses:
  1. GitHub: Getting Started
  2. GitHub Pull Requests from Start to Finish
  3. Supercharging Your GitHub Workflow
  4. Building Custom GitHub Actions
  5. Getting Started with GitHub Desktop
  6. Contributing to an Open Source Project on GitHub
  7. Open Source Your GitHub Project (viewing)
  8. Adopting an InnerSource Culture with GitHub
  9. Getting Started with GitHub Actions
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores software licensing, a critical component of open source development
Teaches essential strategies for open source community building
Taught by experts in open source software development
Ideal for developers looking to open source their own software
Covers key best practices for managing open source projects
Provides valuable insights into the business of open source
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