Contributing to Drupal: It's Not as Hard as it Looks

Contributing–It’s Not as Hard as It Looks

Karl Kaufmann @karolus

If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?

-T.S. ELIOT

About Me

• Fine Arts background, no formal programming education or training

• Visual and Graphic Design

• Started Drupal by doing—on a deadline project

• Enjoy the challenge of learning new things

What’s In It for Me?

• It’s for anyone, even if you have no programming experience

• Deepen your knowledge of Drupal, and tackle projects more quickly

• Boost your bottom line, and help clients and colleagues to boot!

Setting Up Your Environment

• Tools Needed: Git, Acquia Dev Desktop, Drupal 8 core

• Code editing—user choice of command line or dedicated apps such as SublimeText

• Web browser development tools—already installed or free downloads

Introduction to the Issue Queue

• http://drupal.org/project/issues

• Go under Advanced Search, and filter by the issue tag Novice

Patch & Documentation Work

• Get started on testing and fixing

• Test and reroll patches

• No need to worry–all code is checked

• Documentation editing is urgently needed

Core Mentoring

• Overcome stumbling blocks by reaching out to the community

• Drupal Office Hours: Monday: 10pm-12am EDT Wednesday: Noon-2pm EDT

• IRC Handle: #drupal

How You Can Get Involved

• Join programs in your area, such as local Meetups/get-togethers

• Starting in-house events at your organization

• Skype/IRC/webinars for contributors working remotely

Wrap-Up

Suggested Resources

• Drupal: http://drupal.org & http://drupical.com

• Drupal Ladder (for organizing sprints): http://drupalladder.org

• Meetup (for Drupal Events): http://www.meetup.com

• LevelUpTuts Videos: http://leveluptuts.com

• YouTube: Search Drupal and/or specific topic

Thank You

@karolus karolus (drupal.org username) [email protected] karlkaufmann.com