November 2014 Summaries

GitHub is open-sourcing the components behind its task lists, offering the HTML rendering pipeline filter as a Gem and JavaScript update behaviors as a Bower package. Since their introduction, task lists have been extended to support Gist and Markdown files in repositories, aided the White House in public domain code initiatives, and allowed waffle.io to integrate with GitHub Issues' task lists. This move anticipates further innovative developments from the community using these open-sourced components.

Last month, the Octocat figurine was released, bringing GitHub's mascot into the third dimension after years of thematic illustrations. The design process involved navigating the complexities of translating the Octocat's anthropomorphic features into a vinyl figurine, such as blending octopus and feline traits while incorporating human characteristics like expressive eyes for relatability. A significant design challenge was deciding the tentacle count, ultimately choosing a pentagon configuration to balance the figurine's weight and maintain its paradoxical nature as both a land and sea creature. The packaging was also carefully considered to reflect the value of the figurine, opting for simplicity to best showcase the product. The final product, developed with the help of Dead Zebra, successfully captures the essence of the beloved mascot, much to the excitement of its creators.

A Patchwork hack night is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2014, at TechColumbus, designed as a hands-on workshop for beginners to learn Git and GitHub without requiring prior coding experience. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own open-source project and achieve their first merged Pull Request, supported by GitHub staff and local mentors. The event will feature introductory talks, group work on the Hello World tutorial, and a closing lightning talk on open-source experiences. Attendees can expect to learn Git concepts, receive guidance on using the GitHub Flow, and enjoy food and refreshments, with options for dietary preferences. Mentors will be briefed in advance about the curriculum and expectations for the evening.

Microsoft recently announced at their Connect event that they will be open-sourcing a significant portion of the .NET technology stack and transitioning its development to GitHub, with contributions already being accepted shortly after the announcement. This move aligns with Microsoft's ongoing efforts to engage more openly with the developer community, as seen with other teams like Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Open Tech, TypeScript, and ASP.NET, which are already collaborating on GitHub. For the 6 million developers utilizing .NET, this initiative offers an opportunity to influence the future of their development stack. Interested developers can visit GitHub's help site or GitHub Guides to learn more about participating in open-source contributions.

GitHub users can now delete merged branches directly from their mobile devices, following the introduction of a merge button on the mobile platform. This new feature was implemented in response to user feedback requesting the ability to manage branches more effectively on mobile. The update aims to enhance user experience, making it more convenient to handle branches while on the go.

GitHub is conducting a "brownout" for misconfigured GitHub Pages sites that have DNS settings pointing to outdated IP addresses, which will intermittently replace site content with a warning page. Site owners using custom domains are advised to update their DNS settings to the latest GitHub IP addresses to ensure continued accessibility, especially beyond December 1, 2014. Resources such as the GitHub Pages Legacy IP Deprecation announcement and custom domain setup documentation are available for guidance, and GitHub offers support for any inquiries. The announcement, authored by Ben Balter, GitHub's Chief of Staff for Security, highlights his extensive background in managing GitHub’s enterprise offerings and promoting open source practices among government organizations worldwide.

Sam Lambert and fellow tech enthusiasts @dbussink, @jlord, and @mikemcquaid are hosting a gathering at Campus North on Tuesday, November 18th, starting at 18:30, where attendees can enjoy BBQ and beverages, including beer or soft drinks. This event is open to everyone, offering an opportunity for community members to engage and connect in a casual setting.

GitHub has released its newest version of GitHub Enterprise, described as the fastest and most flexible iteration yet, offering high availability, disaster recovery options, improved LDAP and SAML integration, enhanced code review and project management features, and compatibility with Amazon Web Services. This release signifies a major milestone in GitHub's mission to transform global software development by making social coding accessible to anyone hosting code in an AWS-powered cloud, while also enhancing the product experience for existing users. Since its inception in 2008, GitHub has evolved from a platform primarily focused on sharing git repositories to a comprehensive tool that supports collaboration and workflow optimization, leading to the creation of Organizations in 2010 and the subsequent release of GitHub Enterprise in 2011. GitHub Enterprise has since reshaped software development practices within organizations, fostering cultural evolution and improved workflows. The latest release is a result of extensive user feedback and aims to make GitHub Enterprise more accessible and beneficial for both new and existing users, underscoring GitHub's commitment to facilitating better software development.

GitHub has announced a new version of GitHub Enterprise, now available on Amazon Web Services (AWS), which aims to streamline its use for developers and businesses globally by leveraging AWS's scalable infrastructure and compliance standards. The update features significant infrastructure improvements, including enhanced stability and redundancy through Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and advanced online backup utilities that eliminate downtime during data backups. Security features are bolstered with improved audit logs and new SAML support for single sign-on with providers like OneLogin and Okta. The release also introduces several tools to aid in software development and deployment, such as split diffs, email comment replies, and enhanced issue tracking capabilities. Existing users can download the update, while new users are offered a 45-day free trial on AWS or VMware, with demonstrations available at AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas.

GitHub has announced an extension of the deprecation deadline for its old GitHub Pages infrastructure to February 2, 2015, giving users more time to update their DNS records to ensure their sites remain available after December 1, 2014. The change is part of an effort to permanently transition to an improved infrastructure announced nearly a year ago. Users with custom domains pointed at legacy IPs need to update their DNS settings to avoid build errors, brownouts, and eventual discontinuation of service. Affected users will receive email notifications, and several methods are provided to check DNS configurations, including using the GitHub Pages Gem or command-line tools on various operating systems. The transition does not affect repository or Git data, and GitHub offers support for users needing assistance with the update process.