Description
Book SynopsisSuitable for developers starting their own free software projects, or those who want to participate in the process, this guide offers several steps to help you manage the process of developing free software. It covers such topics as project management, developer motivation, technical infrastructure to support collaboration, and project promotion.
Table of ContentsForeword Preface 1. Introduction History The Situation Today 2. Getting Started First, Look Around Starting from What You Have Choosing a License and Applying It Setting the Tone Announcing 3. Technical Infrastructure What a Project Needs Mailing Lists Version Control Bug Tracker IRC/Real-Time Chat Systems Wikis Web Site 4. Social and Political Infrastructure Forkability Benevolent Dictators Consensus-Based Democracy Writing It All Down 5. Money Types of Involvement Hire for the Long Term Appear as Many, Not as One Be Open About Your Motivations Money Can't Buy You Love Contracting Funding Non-Programming Activities Marketing 6. Communications You Are What You Write Avoiding Common Pitfalls Difficult People Handling Growth No Conversations in the Bug Tracker Publicity 7. Packaging, Releasing, and Daily Development Release Numbering Release Branches Stabilizing a Release Packaging Testing and Releasing Maintaining Multiple Release Lines Releases and Daily Development 8. Managing Volunteers Getting the Most Out of Volunteers Share Management Tasks as Well as Technical Tasks Transitions Committers Credit Forks 9. Licenses, Copyrights, and Patents Terminology Aspects of Licenses The GPL and License Compatibility Choosing a License Copyright Assignment and Ownership Dual Licensing Schemes Patents Further Resources A. Free Version Control Systems B. Free Bug Trackers C. Why Should I Care What Color the Bikeshed Is?D. Example Instructions for Reporting Bugs Index
