Should you contribute to open source? It's complicated.

Join us this month for a special presentation from our guest speaker Chris Russo of Savas Labs coming all the way from Durham, NC!

Note: We're meeting at WeWork University Park this month

## Topic

In the best-case scenario, an open source project is comprised of a virtuous, reciprocal community in which participants donate their time to improve a tool that is freely available to all people. The anti-tragedy of the commons, a utopian sharing economy, if you will. This representation of open source projects jibes well with those who favor a decentralized and democratic organization methodology, but does it sync with how open source works in the wild? Or is there more we should consider when we're thinking about contributing to open source?

What does it require to meaningfully contribute to open source projects? And should open source contribution be an expectation of organizations that use open source software (read: all companies) and those who they employ? Is it fair to measure a prospective hire by how they stack up against others in open source contributions (hint: no)? Is contributing to open source even the most impactful way to spend our precious, voluntary time, or are there alternatives we should consider as individuals and organizations who benefit from using open source tools.

We'll unpack the philosophy behind open source, how that really plays out in the commercial open source world, and what are some considerations for employers, and job seekers as they decide what, if any, open source projects to which they will contribute.

Spoiler alert: it's all gray.

## Agenda

6pm - Doors open
Refreshments sponsored by amazee.io and WeWork.
6:30pm - Presentation begins
8pm - Doors close

## Parking

The attached garage is $4/30mins with a max fee of $24. There is no parking validation available. Free street parking is available in the area but is first come, first served.