Why do most people don't give back to Libre Software?

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Introduction

Contributing to Free Software is the thing I do regularly, which was a fascinating experience that changed my vision of everything. It touched my personal life and boosted my career so maybe I could inspire you a bit.

Call it "give back" or "to contribute" to Free/Libre Software, people "seems" to not like to complete the circle. The question is:

WHY THE HECK?!

This question has several answers or "lies" that remain in people's minds:

• "My contributions would not add much value"
• "I'm not skilled enough"
• "Contributing is a time waster"
• "I'm too busy to contribute"
• "Things are good as they are, they don't me"
• ...

I'm running Ophal as a Libre Software project and have friends running their own (quite better than me!), so I know first hand the frustration of a project leader trying to earn new contributors. There is a mainstream feeling of disappointment, given the fact that just about a 10% of users are actual contributors, known as the 1% rule or the 90-9-1 principle.

Chart: File:1percentrule.png at Wikimedia Commons.

Yes, although we already know that only 1% of users will become active contributors (a.k.a team players), we still feel kind of frustrated. Actually, some of my friends say that lurkers are actual "parasites". I don't think so! Because Libre Software is about freedom. You make your choices according to your possibilities and desire. There is nothing forcing users to become contributors.

Software should be useful in the first place

Software that helps people perform their task successfully, easily and on time is the most valuable. I'm active in Libre Software for the last 10 years, enough to realize that users are actual people and they are far from being fools. They got a job and a family to care of along with their personal life... Enough stress don't you think?

So they are like you, they understand the importance of a tool for productivity, they should stay competitive or the race is over! In short, software is supposed to help people.

People is willing to contribute

Photo: "Code Sprint - DrupalCon Baltimore 2017" by comprock at flickr.

Indeed! people wants to contribute but not everyone has free time available for contributing to every single project they use. Actually most people wont contribute to a single project in their entire lives although they know about the value of doing it. I know, I know! People can make time but they need to have a very strong reason. It takes effort to get into a Libre Software project, it takes time to make the right connections and to earn a mentor that wants to bet on you. Still remember, freedom is part of this game, everyone makes their choices.

A develCuy's recipe for scaling contributions

I managed to learn this first hand, I know it takes hardwork and I know it works... but I'm lazy! Some factors are required for this to make any sense. If you are part of a project that somehow has a growing user base. If your project matches the needs of people (a.k.a market fit) and you got strong communication channels (a.k.a good marketing). If you have a solid plan working like a swiss clock (so far). If your project is lacking contributors to make it sustainable then my recipe has big chances to work for you:

1. Revisit your project sustainability forecast
2. Make sure your project has an strong and clear purpose (Is your project changing the word for better?)
3. Create low hanging fruits (very small tasks, with on-boarding purposes)
4. Make documentation for human beings, they will love it!
5. Repeat!

The secret ingredient: Empower people

I want to highlight #3 which stands in the middle of my recipe. In order to empower people you require leadership skills, not just talent. Make your homework and study about leadership, you'll find that barriers for people to join a team are quite similar to earning new contributors into a Libre Software project! If you expect for people to jump in and own a github task just because you released the code... then you got leadership wrong. Don't you remember that people has a life? Then make everything possible for them to help you. Nowadays you are just a click away from creating a wiki for your project. It is better to provide with some documentation than with absolutely no documentation.

There are other ways to empower people, you are not looking to just earn code contributors but designers, marketers and other leaders. As your project grows you'll need people you can trust to delegate core tasks. How in the world would you do so if you close all doors and windows in the first place? Code might be open and free, yet it would stay as a complete and scary mystery if you don't collaborate with your potential collaborators.

Long history short: "Deal with others as you wish for them to deal with you" Mom was right after all!

Drawing: Chef drawing by Clker-Free-Vector-Images

Conclusion

Short answer to the big question: People doesn't likes to waste their time, they are willing to contribute to meaningful projects that change their world. Are you making yours one of those?