April 2017 Summaries

Git LFS version 2.1.0 introduces several enhancements including a new status subcommand that allows users to identify whether files are tracked by LFS or Git, and improved per-server configuration for URL-specific settings. The release also offers advanced network debugging tools with the GIT_LOG_STATS=1 environment variable, providing detailed insights into network requests. A new feature, relative object expiration, has been added to address issues with system clock synchronization by using an expires_in property. The Git LFS team is also developing a migration tool for easier transition of large objects into LFS and is seeking feedback on the File Locking feature, with their roadmap open for public comments and pull requests.

GitHub has advanced its Integrations feature, moving it into pre-release status and introducing new capabilities that enhance user interaction and integration functionality. Users can now log in through an Integration using OAuth, enabling personalized data display and allowing the Integration to perform authorized API requests on their behalf, such as deploying code or creating issues. Additionally, developers can update an Integration's permissions as needed, prompting users to accept these changes to continue using the integration effectively. A Setup URL is also available for redirecting users post-installation if further configuration is necessary. More detailed information is available on the Developer Blog, and GitHub encourages feedback through their Platform forum.

At the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) conference in Seattle, educators from Harvard, San Francisco State University, and The College of New Jersey discussed the integration of GitHub in their courses, highlighting its benefits for classroom practices. Omar Shaikh from SFSU shared insights on using GitHub with Travis CI for automated grading, while Monisha Pulimood from TCNJ emphasized the advantages of a project-based model with real-world collaboration, noting improved student understanding and engagement. David J. Malan from Harvard detailed the implementation of Git and GitHub for the CS50 course, illustrating the practical applications of these tools in computer science education. The discussion underscored the potential of version control systems to enhance learning outcomes by fostering collaboration and deepening content mastery among students.

GitHub's Site Reliability Engineers emphasize the importance of designing systems for failure, particularly through implementing redundancy in DNS management. By splitting DNS authority across multiple providers, GitHub can mitigate the risk of outages, ensuring service continuity even if one provider experiences issues. This approach, however, requires synchronizing records across providers, which can be complex. To manage this, GitHub has developed OctoDNS, a tool that facilitates DNS record management by storing configurations in Git repositories and using GitHub Flow for changes, enabling synchronized updates across providers like Dyn and Route53. OctoDNS offers Infrastructure as Code benefits to DNS management, allowing for preview deployments and streamlined updates, thus enhancing reliability and reducing the obstacles to implementing split DNS authority. The tool is positioned as a valuable asset for any site looking to improve DNS redundancy and management efficiency.

Developers, community builders, and technical leaders worldwide are preparing to present at GitHub's Satellite event on May 22, featuring fourteen sessions on diverse topics. Highlights include Lauri Apple of Zalando, who will discuss organizing GitHub repositories to avoid clutter and enhance storytelling. Kat Fukui and Mike McQuaid from GitHub will explore leveraging the open-source community for successful projects. Raul Pareja and Victor Martinez of King will address using GitHub Enterprise to enhance collaboration across departments. Konrad Djimeli, a GitHub Campus Expert, will share insights on building tech communities in Africa. Kir Shatrov of Shopify will present on managing and scaling a large Rails monolith codebase to improve developer experience. These sessions, among others, provide valuable insights for attendees, with tickets available for purchase.

Ming Chow's course at Tufts University emphasizes the development of skills crucial for engineering roles, such as hands-on experience, web mastery, and effective communication, all centered around the use of Git and GitHub. Inspired by Norman Ramsey's idea from Stack Overflow, Chow integrates version control into his curriculum to teach students the importance of collaboration through frequent, clear commits and project documentation like READMEs. Students engage in group projects that require them to navigate the complexities of web development, including third-party tools like APIs and platforms such as Heroku, preparing them to handle real-world challenges. The course culminates in students creating a portfolio of their work, highlighting the value of communication and teamwork, which Chow believes are essential for leadership in technology. This approach not only equips students with technical skills but also fosters an understanding of the interconnectedness of web technologies, encouraging them to become future leaders in the field.

The GitHub Developer Program, in existence for over three years, is expanding its accessibility by allowing all developers, including those without paid GitHub accounts, to join. This initiative aims to support developers at any stage of their projects by introducing participation levels that offer various benefits, such as development licenses for GitHub Enterprise, to help them build and scale faster. With 17,000 developers worldwide already participating, the program categorizes users based on their user base size and provides tailored resources and tools to aid their development progress. Existing members will receive notifications about their participation level and the benefits available to them, with successful companies like CircleCI, SRC:CLR, and GitPrime having already benefited from the program.

In February, a new feature called "Recover Accounts Elsewhere" was introduced to help users regain account access if they lose their two-factor authentication devices or tokens, based on Facebook's Delegated Account Recovery specification. GitHub plans to open source a Ruby library to simplify the implementation of this feature, offering a Ruby reference guide and a demonstration through a Sinatra application. This library, named Darrrr, is versatile and can be used with Rails and non-Rails applications. Meanwhile, Facebook has released SDKs for Java and JavaScript, along with demo applications, and is inviting developers to join a beta program to become integrators. The goal is to provide open source implementations across common languages to facilitate the adoption of the recovery protocol, with hopes that these resources will encourage more widespread integration.

GitHub Satellite offers a dynamic event experience featuring keynote speeches from GitHub's co-founder and CEO, Chris Wanstrath, alongside breakout sessions and workshops led by GitHub trainers, engineers, and community leaders. Attendees will gain insights into the latest GitHub updates and explore case studies from organizations like Bloomberg and Shopify, showcasing innovative software development practices. The event also includes hands-on workshops that teach participants to build chatbots, create Electron apps, and apply open source principles within their teams. The conference is held at Printworks, a former printing factory in London, providing networking opportunities in a unique setting, and concludes with an afterparty at Hawker House, offering a vibrant atmosphere with food stalls and games.

GitHub now offers an additional method to protect users' email addresses when pushing commits via the command line by allowing them to configure an alternate “noreply” email address. This feature works by enabling options in the email settings to keep the email address private and block command line pushes that reveal the email. Users need to set their Git configuration to use their [email protected], ensuring commits remain linked to their accounts without affecting their contribution graph. Any attempts to push commits using an email other than the “noreply” address will be rejected. By default, new private emails have this privacy option enabled, and users can find more information on protecting their email in the GitHub Help documentation.

Over the past nine years, GitHub has experienced significant growth, expanding its community to nearly 20 million users, 57 million repositories, and 100 million pull requests, fostering an environment of collaboration and learning among software developers. In celebration of this milestone, GitHub is offering a special promotion as a token of appreciation, providing a 25% discount on admission to the GitHub Satellite event with the code GITHUBTURNS9 and a 20% discount on all items in the GitHub Shop, with these offers available until mid-April.

GitHub Satellite is offering a limited number of free tickets to their two-day conference in London through scholarships and community partnerships, aiming to increase accessibility and diversity among attendees. Scholarship opportunities are available via the Travis Foundation's Diversity Tickets, with applications closing on April 14. Additionally, GitHub is collaborating with UK-based organizations like codebar, blackgirl.tech, Code Your Future, and Nuanced Dinners to distribute tickets to underrepresented communities. For those not eligible for free admission, a 25% discount is available using the code GITHUBTURNS9 until April 19.

In his Startup Programming course at the University of Victoria, Alexey Zagalsky emphasizes user-centric product design and collaborative software development, where students work in teams to deliver projects at various milestones, from idea generation to public beta launch with user feedback. The course bridges academia and industry by involving mentors from local startups to evaluate student work, highlighting the importance of understanding user needs and integrating feedback to enhance software design. Alexey uses GitHub for collaboration, allowing students to learn from their coding mistakes through issues and feedback, fostering intrinsic motivation through agile methodologies rather than focusing solely on final products. His research suggests that collaborative software development enriches future software by incorporating diverse perspectives and social learning, and he encourages educators to adopt industry tools like GitHub, Slack, and Stack Overflow to improve student engagement and career preparedness.

GitHub Satellite 2017, taking place on May 22-23 at Printworks in London, serves as a regional extension of the GitHub Universe conference and is focused on enhancing team collaboration and software development. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about new developments in the GitHub ecosystem, hear from notable speakers like GitHub CEO Chris Wanstrath, and participate in workshops to improve Git and GitHub skills. The event will feature digital art installations, delicious food, and networking opportunities with developers worldwide. Participants can attend the Dark Matter evening event, which explores the intersection of technology with other fields, as part of their conference ticket. General admission tickets are priced at €349, which include entry to the after-party and Dark Matter, but exclude workshops that cost an additional €99.