This is an automated email from the ASF dual-hosted git repository. rbowen pushed a commit to branch rbowen-why-2 in repository https://gitbox.apache.org/repos/asf/comdev-site.git
commit bd221dab760316bbac3d8c07780b00ae4a731d81 Author: Rich Bowen <[email protected]> AuthorDate: Tue Aug 4 17:53:59 2026 -0400 Add "Why Contribute to Apache?" page and link from existing newcomer docs - New page: newcomers/why.md - motivates contribution (skills, influence, reputation, longevity, governance) - Added why-contribute blurb + link to newcomers/_index.md, gettingStarted.md, contributor-ladder.md, etiquette.md - Added "Why Contribute?" as top entry in Contributing nav dropdown --- layouts/partials/navbar.html | 1 + source/contributor-ladder.md | 4 ++++ source/contributors/etiquette.md | 6 +++++- source/newcomers/_index.md | 1 + source/newcomers/gettingStarted.md | 4 ++++ source/newcomers/why.md | 39 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 6 files changed, 54 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/layouts/partials/navbar.html b/layouts/partials/navbar.html index 41e169ee..a3fc2013 100644 --- a/layouts/partials/navbar.html +++ b/layouts/partials/navbar.html @@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ Contributing </a> <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="contribDropdown"> + <a class="dropdown-item" href="/newcomers/why.html">Why Contribute?</a> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/contributor-ladder.html">Contributor Ladder</a> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/newcomers/">Getting Started at Apache</a> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/contributors/">Contributing to projects</a> diff --git a/source/contributor-ladder.md b/source/contributor-ladder.md index c46f0705..75390f76 100644 --- a/source/contributor-ladder.md +++ b/source/contributor-ladder.md @@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ title: ASF Contributor Ladder tags: ["pmc","roles","committers","members","officers","board"] --- +Each step up brings concrete benefits - deeper influence over the +software's direction, a stronger professional network, and skills that +transfer to any engineering role. [Why contribute?](/newcomers/why.html) + Projects at the ASF offer a way to grow in your responsibilities in the project, from being a user, all the way up to being a maintainer of the project. While the specific details may look different from one project diff --git a/source/contributors/etiquette.md b/source/contributors/etiquette.md index 52b57b66..276a8468 100644 --- a/source/contributors/etiquette.md +++ b/source/contributors/etiquette.md @@ -4,7 +4,11 @@ tags: ["etiquette","conduct"] --- The ASF and our many projects welcome all -participants. Before you begin, it is important to review and respect our community guidelines. We have a few +participants. Contributing to Apache is worth your time - you gain +real skills, professional connections, and influence over widely-used +software. [More on why to contribute](/newcomers/why.html). + +Before you begin, it is important to review and respect our community guidelines. We have a few ASF-specific tips below. # Code of Conduct # {#coc} diff --git a/source/newcomers/_index.md b/source/newcomers/_index.md index 4ed0c447..9126a3b6 100644 --- a/source/newcomers/_index.md +++ b/source/newcomers/_index.md @@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ developer in one of our many Apache project communities. As an all-volunteer run organization, Apache and the many Apache projects rely on people like you stepping up to help out. + * [Why contribute?](/newcomers/why.html) - what you get out of participating in Apache projects * [Where do I start?](/newcomers/gettingStarted.html) - a guide to your first engagement with an Apache project * [How should I behave?](/contributors/etiquette.html) - etiquette and codes of conduct at Apache * [How can I climb the Contributor Ladder?](https://community.apache.org/contributor-ladder.html) - roles in Apache projects diff --git a/source/newcomers/gettingStarted.md b/source/newcomers/gettingStarted.md index 5901b42b..17a42855 100644 --- a/source/newcomers/gettingStarted.md +++ b/source/newcomers/gettingStarted.md @@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ tags: ["newcomers"] # Where do I start? +Contributing to Apache projects builds real skills, grows your professional +network, and gives you influence over software used by thousands of +organizations. [Read more about why it's worth your time](/newcomers/why.html). + If you have no idea where to start your engagement with an Apache project, this is the page for you. diff --git a/source/newcomers/why.md b/source/newcomers/why.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..1c625edd --- /dev/null +++ b/source/newcomers/why.md @@ -0,0 +1,39 @@ +--- + +## title: Why Contribute to Apache? tags: ["newcomers", "contributors"] + +You don't need a reason to contribute to Apache, but it helps to know what you'll get out of it. + +# What's in it for you + +## Influence the tools you depend on + +If you use Apache software at work or in your own projects, contributing gives you a voice in the direction the software takes. File a bug, and it might get fixed. Propose a feature, and you might get to build it. Contribute regularly, and the people making decisions start asking for your opinion. + +## Build skills that transfer everywhere + +Apache projects are used by thousands of organizations worldwide. Working inside one teaches you how large-scale, distributed software development actually works: code review, release management, backwards compatibility, security response, documentation that real people read. These aren't skills you pick up from a tutorial. + +## Grow your professional reputation + +Your contributions are public. Hiring managers, conference organizers, and other professionals can see your work. More importantly, the people you collaborate with in an Apache project become part of your professional network - and that network spans companies, countries, and industries. + +## Ship software that outlasts any single company + +Apache projects are built to survive. They don't get acqui-hired, sunset by a product pivot, or relicensed on a whim. Your contributions to an Apache project will still be running in production ten years from now. That's a rare thing to say about any software work. + +## Learn how open governance works + +The Apache Way is an opinionated model of collaborative governance: consensus-based decision making, transparent communication, community over code. Whether you stay in open source or go on to lead teams in other contexts, understanding how to build consensus among peers with no reporting hierarchy is a career-long asset. + +# What Apache gets from you + +Open source only works when people participate. Every contribution - code, documentation, bug reports, mailing list answers, event organization - makes the projects more useful and the communities more resilient. The ASF has no employees working on its projects; everything is done by volunteers. When you contribute, you are literally keeping the software alive. + +# Ready to start? + +- [Where do I start?](/newcomers/gettingStarted.html) - find a project and make your first contribution +- [Contributor Ladder](/contributor-ladder.html) - understand the roles and how you grow +- [Etiquette](/contributors/etiquette.html) - how we communicate and work together +- [Projects listing](https://projects.apache.org/) - browse all Apache projects +
