Back in Nov 2006, I wrote the following blog post: What is 'contributing' to an Open Source Project?

Every so often I like to take a look at how we are now doing, in comparision to how we have been doing in the past. Having taken the time to do so recently, I'm really encouraged, and hopefully as a follow up in my series, I hope you'll benefit for reflecting with me, if you've been around for a while, or if you're only new, joining me and contributing.

Let me start with my conclusion I wrote back then:

There is no utopia. No one, and no project, is perfect. Do we have faults, yes, some of them may be more important to you than they are to me, however the fact remains, if you are here for Joomla, the structure is already in place (maybe not ideal, or perfect) for your contribution to be accepted.

From my point of view, this still stands as true today as it was almost 4 years ago when I first wrote this. However, what I'm most encouraged about is the progress we have made in being able to accept the many and varied contributions of so many people. In some ways our structure has also improved to facilitate this. Let's dig a little deeper into this now.

What is contributing to an Open Source Project?

This question is perhaps harder to answer now than it was back in 2006. So many people have their own versions of what they consider contributing, and some of them make no bones about it. To some, contributing is telling others how they should be doing things and so on. However, let's leave that up to individuals to decide if that is really contributing or complaining/griping.

What I am talking about here is contributing to the Official Joomla Project. This encompasses the code that going into Joomla as well as the number of ways to contribute that support this.

Is it possible to contribute code to Joomla? Yes!
Can it be frustrating at times? Yes!
Do you sometimes feel like you need to prove yourself first? Yes!
(insert a number of other similar questions)

.. but the fact remains, if you want to, even in the current far from perfect system of accepting code contributions to Joomla you can. So, if you want to contribute in this manner, don't let the imperfections of the system be a reason for complaining. (BTW To save space here, if this is your desire, head on over to: http://groups.google.com/group/joomla-dev-cms and get into it!)

As I wrote in Take One:

Rather than talking about how Joomla should be doing this and that, do it yourself, and show us how we can simply implement your solution, provide a proof of concept. Talk and complaining is a slap in the face to the very people who work so hard to support Joomla.

It does work too, for example see this suggestion regarding possible changes to the code submission process that is under discussion. Also coming up in the very near future is the new developer site which will make participating in the code even easier.

What about non-code contributions?

The same principles apply to non-code contributions just as equally. How can I make this claim?

Here are just some reasons:

• See: https://docs.joomla.org/Special:RecentChanges - note the number of people, without fanfare, just contributing.
• See: http://extensions.joomla.org/ - note the number of Extensions people contribute, many of them free. Who approves and manages this huge, incredible resource of ours? Scroll to the bottom of this page and see. Without fanfare these people are just.. well.. doing.. contributing.
• See: http://resources.joomla.org/ - note some of the editors are listed as moderators here.
• See: https://forum.joomla.org - more than 2 million posts, and look at the number of active people helping out new users on this page. You don't need anyone's permission to help contribute to our community on the forum.
• See: Joomla! Community Magazine

I could go on, but the next time you hear someone claim that they find it too hard to contribute to Joomla, take their complaint with a grain of salt.

Also, look out for the following coming up in the near future:

• A volunteer form, see the discussion here.
• A new social site where users will be able to join in even more. (This is very close to release)

Do you have a great idea for Joomla? (non-code primarily)

Now, we even have a Joomla! Ideas Forum available for you to share your idea and also what you are prepared to do to help bring it to fruition.

Would you like to sponsor Joomla and/or Joomla Development?

Again, already we have a structure available for you to do this, see: Sponsorship Opportunities

Still want to help, but don't have much time available?

We always need the kind of encouragement that costs hardly and time, and no money. The words of thanks and appreciation to the many hard working volunteers who contribute to Joomla. Anyone can contribute this way, and it really does make a difference.

Conclusion.

Our project is far from perfect. However that facts show that Joomla is one of the world most popular open source CMS projects. While still having many things to work on, we DO, even now, have structures available to accept your contributions.

Things HAVE improved if you review how things were in the past, but as always we really do need your help to keep things moving forward.

So, will you contribute to Joomla? I hope so, and if so, look forward to working alongside with you in the future.