Hello there! Today, I want to share my journey, or rather, my entry (I think that would be more accurate) into the world of open source, with a particular focus on Fedora. If you’re a tech enthusiast, you’ve likely heard of Fedora or Red Hat mentioned in passing, even if you might not know the details of what they’re all about. Well, let me tell you, a couple of weeks ago, I was in the same boat as you.

What is Fedora?

Fedora is essentially a community of people who come together to create an operating system and make it easy for you to do useful things with it. Red Hat is the company that sponsors the Fedora project. Fedora is a Linux distribution that is entirely free and open-source software (FOSS). It is a community-driven project that aims to provide users with a cutting-edge, innovative, and secure operating system.

Fedora is known for its commitment to delivering the latest technologies and features to its users.

My First Encounter with Fedora

My first encounter with Fedora was through Outreachy, an internship program that provides opportunities for underrepresented individuals to contribute to open-source projects. Fedora was one of the available projects, and as I scanned through the list, it caught my eye. I had seen the name before, and it stood out to me. So, I decided to contribute and apply for the Community Architect Internship at Fedora, and let me tell you, I am thrilled that I did.

While my personal experience has been as an applicant for the Community Architect role, I believe my journey can provide valuable insights and give you a general idea of what the Fedora community is like, regardless of which part of the project piques your interest.

The Four Fs: Core Values of Fedora

Every organization has its core values, and Fedora is no exception. During the onboarding Google Meet with Fedora mentors on March 8, we were introduced to the “4Fs,” which represent the guiding principles of the Fedora community:

Freedom: Every single software from Fedora is entirely free, with no payment required, and you can use it in any way you need to. They are open-source, open-source.

Friends: Fedora has a diverse group of contributors from all over the world, and they make a conscious effort to create a friendly and casual work environment. I’ve always been an advocate of the idea that “productivity does not equate to toxicity,” and Fedora is a real-life example of so many people working together in harmony.

Features: This principle emphasizes that not only are the software offerings completely free, but there is also a strong focus on providing powerful features. Fedora has been a major contributor to the features that make Linux powerful, and they are always willing to challenge the status quo to provide users with better experiences, better software, and better solutions.

First: The Fedora community is highly committed to innovation and providing the latest powerful free software. They are futuristic and value forward movement without compromising stability.

These core values resonate deeply with me, and they are a testament to the passion and dedication of the Fedora community.

Joining the Fedora Community

While my encounter with Fedora was through Outreachy, it’s important to note that this is not the only way to join the community. The Fedora community is open to everyone, regardless of skill level. If you’re wondering how to get started as a contributor, you can visit the Fedora Join Special Interest Group (SIG) at https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-join/. This site allows you to communicate with existing members and get a feel for the different aspects before deciding which path you’d like to contribute to. You can also join through this link: https://whatcanidoforfedora.org/

For Outreachy applicants trying to navigate the Fedora project contribution process, my first advice is to take a deep breath – inhale…exhale. It may seem overwhelming at first, but I assure you that it’s manageable once you take it one step at a time. Embrace the excitement, but also take a moment to set up your Fedora account, Matrix account, and GitLab account. Don’t worry if you haven’t used these platforms before; they’re easy to get the hang of, just like your everyday email and collaboration tools. Remember, this is an open-source project, so make sure to carry out your activities in public where your mentors and everyone else can see it. You’ve got this!

Final Thoughts

My journey into the Fedora community has been an enriching experience so far. The core values of freedom, community, innovation, and a commitment to providing cutting-edge features align with my own beliefs. I’m excited to continue learning and contributing to this remarkable project, and I hope this blog post has provided you with a glimpse into the world of Fedora and inspired you to explore it further.