The Beginner’s Guide to Open Source, Part 2: What Makes a Great Open Source Contributor?

A successful open source contributor is level-headed, a great communicator, versatile, and patient. When submitting a pull request, consider whether it adds value to the project and its users. As a project maintainer, be constructive and guide contributors through changes, addressing feedback in a thoughtful manner. Clear and concise writing is essential for effective communication, particularly when documenting projects. Open source projects encompass various aspects beyond code, such as UI/UX design, architecture, documentation, and testing, which can benefit from diverse contributions. By contributing to these areas, one can gain a deeper understanding of the project and improve their own skills. The journey to becoming a great contributor is not about being perfect but rather working towards greatness through continuous learning and improvement.