How to get involved in OSS?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
How to get involved in Open Source?

I am a mostly-self taught developer, trying to develop my skills and it seems quite clear that getting involved with open-source projects is probably the best way to go about doing that, but I am never really sure where to start. I have accounts on the major OSS hosting systems and have checked out the code for a few projects I like, but beyond that, I feel kind of lost. Most OSS projects appear to me to be either abandoned, barely maintained, or so complex that I'm never even sure where to start. Does anyone here have any pointers or advice for starting off with programming OSS?

Answer 1

Think about software that you like to use that is FOSS. Now, think about something small that bothers you that you would like to see fixed. Just fix that and submit a patch. Rinse, repeat.

OR

Another option is to visit bug lists of FOSS projects (where you use the FOSS) and pick out a bug you think you can fix (there is always a lot of low-hanging fruit), and go ahead and fix that one.

The trick to working on FOSS is to work on something you have interest in and you'll use. It is fun to use a product that you can say, "I did that!"

Answer 2

Please see this:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/563708/how-to-get-involved-in-open-source-closed

Answer 3

Find a project near and dear to your heart.

Help out on the mailing lists by answering noob questions and offloading the devs.

Send in patches for bugs and improvements.

When the committers grow tired of applying your patches, you'll be invited.

Be patient.