How to Participate in Hackoberfest 2023

How to Participate in Hackoberfest 2023

- And how to gain the most out of it?

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5 min read

The clock is ticking down to the start of this fantastic month-long open-source challenge, brought to you by DigitalOcean. If you're eager to dive into the world of open source and get rewarded for your contributions, you're in the right place.

Hacktoberfest encourages you to sign up and complete four pull requests for open-source projects that are part of the program. It's not just about earning rewards; it's a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community, receive support, and make meaningful contributions to open-source projects.

๐Ÿ“—How to Get Started with Hacktoberfest

Whether you are an Open-Source Contributor or Maintainer, you can reap the benefit of this amazing month-long event! Check out more about it here.

Here's your easy guide to getting the most out of Hacktoberfest:

๐Ÿ“˜Are you a Contributor?

  • Mark your calendars for sign-up between September 26 and October 31.

  • Dive into the documentation to get familiar with the process.

  • Remember, it's okay to ask for help! If you're looking for a supportive community, don't hesitate to join the OpenSauced Discord.

  • Don't procrastinate! Send in those pull requests before November 1 to repositories that have the 'hacktoberfest' topic.

๐Ÿ“˜Are you a Maintainer?

  • If you're a maintainer, add the 'hacktoberfest' topic to your repository and the issues you'd like help with during Hacktoberfest.

  • Don't forget to include a CONTRIBUTING.md file; it's essential for guiding your contributors. Learn more about crafting a great one [here](link to CONTRIBUTING.md guide).

  • Ensure your repository has a Code of Conduct in place.

  • Get ready to review those incoming pull requests!

๐Ÿ“—What can you contribute?

Whether you're a seasoned coder or a student just starting your coding journey, there's a place for you here.

Here are some fantastic contributions you can make:

  1. ๐Ÿ“š Documentation: Good documentation is like the foundation of a project. It helps with development, maintenance, and sharing knowledge with fellow developers. With solid docs, your project becomes more accessible to others, making it easier for them to jump in and contribute.

  2. ๐Ÿž Fixing Issues: Look out for those issues tagged with 'hacktoberfest.' They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny bug fixes to more involved tasks. Your skills, no matter how advanced, can make a difference.

  3. ๐Ÿ’ก Adding User Input: Some projects crave fresh perspectives! They might be asking for user input or contributions. For example, in the project I recently worked on (๐Ÿง  a Quiz-Generator), they needed new questions for their question pool. Your ideas and input can be incredibly valuable!

So, no matter where you stand in your coding journey, there is always a place for you.

Want to know how to get started? Refer to this detailed article.

How to make your first Open Source contribution?

๐Ÿ“—Finding Issues

Instead of rushing into issues headfirst, why not take a little detour and explore what different repositories have to offer? ๐ŸŒ Dive into their issues and discussions! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Engaging with other contributors and maintainers can be like opening a treasure chest of insights.

Here's why it's worth the journey:

  • It helps you understand the project's direction ๐Ÿš€

  • You can figure out where your skills fit best ๐Ÿงฉ

  • You'll get a sense of the support available ๐Ÿค—

Keep in mind, the myth of the "perfect first issue" is just that - a myth! The best first issue is often the one you create yourself. So if you spot a bug, stumble upon unclear documentation, or have a brilliant idea to make the project run smoother for everyone, go ahead and write that issue. And if you're up for it, ask to be assigned! ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿ‘

Don't forget, that engaging in discussions is another powerful way to contribute to open source. ๐Ÿ—จ๏ธ It's a place to learn, share, and show your eagerness to collaborate. Who knows, these discussions might lead you straight to the perfect issue waiting for your magic touch! ๐Ÿช„โœจ

Remember, Hacktoberfest isn't just about coding; it's about fostering collaboration and delivering top-notch contributions. ๐ŸŒŸ So, explore, engage, and make your mark on the open-source world! ๐ŸŒ

๐Ÿ“—How to make valuable Hacktoberfest contributions

Alright, folks, you've got a whole month to rock those 4 pull requests! ๐Ÿš€ But here's a little secret: Quality beats quantity every time. ๐Ÿ’Ž So, take your time and craft those pull requests with care. Trust me; they're more likely to earn a coveted merge if they're top-notch.

Now, here's the deal: Don't assume all your pull requests will waltz into the repository before Hacktoberfest's curtain call. ๐ŸŽญ Aim for more than 4 if you've got the energy and ideas bubbling up!

But hey, remember the golden ruleโ€”common courtesy is the name of the game. ๐Ÿค Open-source maintainers are superheroes, but even they need a breather. Towards the end of Hacktoberfest, they might be juggling quite a few PRs.

So, please, don't guilt-trip them, don't rush them, and definitely don't demand their undivided attention. ๐Ÿ™…โ€โ™‚๏ธ Just be patient and understanding, and if they're swamped, go ahead and tackle another project in the meantime. ๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿ’ช

๐Ÿ“—What's the reward?

Aside from the knowledge youโ€™ll gain, (and the fun youโ€™ll have) you can earn a digital reward kit courtesy of DigitalOcean and our sponsors and partners. Youโ€™ll receive your digital reward once youโ€™ve completed four accepted pull/merge requests. Also, the first 50,000 participants to have their first PR/MR accepted will have a tree planted in their name through Tree Nation.


Thank You so much for your valuable time.๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿ‘‹

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me :)

๐Ÿ‘‹ Hi there! Let's connect and collaborate!

Here are some ways to reach me:

๐Ÿ”น GitHub: github.com/mithindev

๐Ÿ”น Twitter: twitter.com/MithinDev

๐Ÿ”น LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mithindev

Looking forward to connecting with you!

PS: Ignore the hashes๐Ÿ˜Š


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