THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 32
(De)coding conventions
The evolution of TypeScript and the future of coding conventions, AI’s role in improving accessibility, and practical advice on encouraging non-code contributions.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 31
Bridging code and community
Navigating open source in a regulated environment, the crucial role of non-code contributions to open source success, and lessons from scaling projects like Kubernetes.
Featured Article
Non-code contributions are the secret to open source success
From documentation to release management, non-code contributions power open source. Here’s how to get started.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 29
The open/closed equilibrium
Striking a balance between openness and control in open source projects, preserving the integrity of community insights, and how humor can transform communities.
Featured Article
How ‘open’ should your open source be?
Boundaries aren't always intuitive for maintainers, but limiting contributions can be their healthiest option.
Featured Article
Coding accessibility: Disability as catalyst for creativity
Faced with accessibility barriers, developer Paul Chiou turns obstacles into innovative solutions.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 28
Fusing tech and progress
How open source is powering nuclear fusion research, advise for fortifying your career against change, and practical tips to get going with Git and GitHub.
Featured Article
Open source is fueling the future of nuclear physics
This once secretive scientific field is embracing openness in a big way.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 27
Innovation without barriers
Reframing disability and accessibility, playing Minecraft with your eyes, and what AI means for the future of accessibility.
Mikio Braun
The unique origins of open source in machine learning
How open source came to dominate machine learning and what that means for today.
Featured Article
From gaming with your eyes to coding with AI: New frontiers for accessibility
With open source, developers with disabilities can contribute, collaborate, and participate like never before.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 26
Co-maintaining openness
The benefits of collaborative maintainership, lessons learned from vintage technology, and tips for getting started with community building.
Featured Article
The modern web’s underrated powerhouse
It’s one of the most important yet under-appreciated building blocks of the internet.
Amit Saha
Middleware for web applications: it’s not just for enterprises
Write cleaner, more maintainable code—and reuse it in many different contexts.
Naveen Srinivasan & Brian Russell // OpenSSF
In Scorecard we trust
How to strengthen your software supply chain security, improve best practices, and build trust in your projects.
Featured Article
What’s in a name? Moving GitOps beyond buzzword
An open source effort to define GitOps might save it from becoming just another buzzword.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 24
Let the games begin
Getting real about VR, the role of open source in game dev, a new perspective on functional programming, and more
Safia Abdalla // Microsoft
How to optimize your code reviews
It’s wise to think of them as a bridge to empathy, knowledge-sharing, and team-building.
Featured Article
What we can learn from vintage computing
Thanks to open source, nothing is ever obsolete.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 23
Cue the command line
The thrill of a blinking cursor, using the community as a mirror, managing a business on open source, and more.
Michael Hausenblas // Amazon Web Services
Look beyond lock-in with open source observability
When done properly, it’s a sustainable option for any and all environments.
Featured Article
Marie Kondo your software stack with open source
Mindfully consider each choice—and remember that simple is not necessarily easy
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 22
Code like it’s 1995
Go back to basics, tips on securing your OSS project, developer happiness with GitHub’s CEO, and more.
Featured Article
Open source is democratizing video game development
The evolution and future of open source games and game development.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 21
Build your own luck
A new co-host, a new format, a functional programming renaissance, and strategies to increase your luck.
Frances Coronel // Byteboard
ONWARD: A framework for maintaining maintainers
Whether the project has 3 or 3000 contributors, here’s what to focus on when collaborating with other maintainers.
Chrissy LeMaire // dbatools
Coding peace of mind: A guide to testing
Say goodbye to accidentally deleted data and faulty committed changes with this GItHub Actions framework.
Aaron Francis
Sometimes they say yes
Aaron on playing it uncool, advocating for yourself, and asking for your dream job.
Featured Article
Building the future of the command line
Open source developers are making the command line more friendly—and more powerful.
Rose Judge // VMware
Configuring your Git environment for success
A quick-start guide to less frustration and better workflows.
James Turnbull
Build a CI/CD workflow with Github Actions
Catch issues and remove the need for manual processes so you can focus on adding features.
swyx | @swyx
Breaking apart the monolith
The open source movement should really be modeled after social clubs and city governments.
Cassidy Williams // Contenda
Functional Programming 101
A deep dive on the benefits of functional programming and why it’s actually easier than you think.
Lisa Tagliaferri, PhD // Chainguard
Implementing software security in open source
How to automate security and build confidence in your code.
Featured Article
Functional programming is finally going mainstream
Object-oriented and imperative programming aren’t going away, but functional programming is finding its way into more codebases.
Mahmoud Hashemi // Stripe
Intentional creation
Tap into creativity with the 4 Cs: Consume, critique, curate, create.
Featured Article
Decisions, decisions: Principles for making important choices in open source
Decisions are the essence of open source maintainership.
Featured Article
Move over JavaScript: Back-end languages are coming to the front-end
A new crop of server-side tools is making it possible to build web UIs without JavaScript.
Monica Powell // Newsela
Your future self will thank you: Building your personal documentation
In Part Three of this series, Monica explains how to build a second brain of knowledge you’ll use over and over.
Juan Pablo Buriticá
The good, the bad, and the ugly of making decisions in open source
Using RFCs to support decision-making when working in public.
Featured Article
Astronomy community shapes their own destiny with Astropy
Astronomy is a software based field, and the community is building their own open source tools.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 19
freeCodeCamp: For curious people, by curious people
Founder Quincy on his journey from journalist to OSS pioneer.
Scott Triglia // Stripe
Using ‘Roofshots’ to make impossible decisions
A developer superpower to tackle complicated projects.
Monica Powell // Newsela
How to hone your new superpower: teaching
In part two of Monica's series on the value of documentation, she discusses the mindset, process and benefits of public documentation.
Featured Article
The secrets to onboarding new open source contributors
Mentorship and documentation are the keys to making open source a better place for everyone.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 18
Firestarter: Keeping creativity alive while managing workloads
Jani embraces his limits and is drawn to human-centered projects.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 17
Three careers and motherhood are just the start
Salma on staying visible, advocating for accessibility, and coding for a better future.
Featured Article
Open Source is enabling the "Tech for Good" movement
There’s a growing global movement applying cutting edge open source projects to humanity’s thorniest problems.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 16
Where utility meets beauty: Hoppscotch
Liyas blends a passion for art with a talent for coding.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 15
Giving 110% in the right place at the right time
Astro founder Fred on luck, motivation, and breaking into OSS.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 14
A master in both piano and WordPress
How Helen found herself at the inspiring intersection of music and open source software.
Monica Powell // Newsela
Using code as documentation to save time and share context
In part one of her series, Monica shares how to do documentation to help yourself and others.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 13
Python enthusiast, Twitch streamer, et. al.
Anthony on the importance of learning, teaching, and communicating.
David Noël-Romas // Stripe
Time management for makers
As makers, software engineers should adopt these seven essential habits.
Cassidy Williams // Contenda
Get your first software developer job
Tips, tricks, and general advice for how to get in the door in tech.
Featured Article
How open source software powers modern filmmaking
From editing to animation, open source is part of how movies get made.
Jerome Hardaway // Vets Who Code
Teaching in public with GitHub
Uplift others by sharing your knowledge.
Featured Article
Glia uses open source and 3D printing to enable universal access to medical equipment
From conflict zones to COVID-19 shortages, Glia is bringing medical equipment to those who need it most.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 12
Prioritizing empathy and taking risks to build Chakra UI
Founder Segun Adebayo on creating opportunities.
Featured Article
How open source maintainers keep contributors—and themselves—happy
It’s never too early or too late to start thinking about contributor relations.
THE README PODCAST // EPISODE 11
Creating space and opportunity with She Code Africa
Founder Ada Nduka Oyom on giving women the tools to thrive as developers.
Featured Article
How Global Forest Watch uses open source to fight deforestation
Global Forest Watch uses open source to turn satellite imagery into actionable insight to save forests.
Featured Article
Open Source on Mars: Community powers NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter
Developers around the world contribute to historic flight.
Featured Article
How Python is building a welcoming community for women
The Python community is setting an example other open source communities can follow.
Featured Article
How the open source community came together to fight COVID-19
As the pandemic raged, open source developers sprang into action to leverage data for the greater good.
Featured Article
How open source maintainers can maintain balance in turbulent times
Open source maintainers are working harder than ever. Here’s how to maintain your passion during trying times.
Featured Article
How InfoSec pros keep open source safe—and how you can help
Security pros talk about what keeps them up at night—and what they’re doing about it.
Featured Article
Black voices bring much needed context to our data-driven society
Black communities are working together to democratize data and make the field more inclusive.
Nick DeJesus // use-shopping-cart
Shaping a more empowering future for eCommerce
Nick on more knowledge sharing, education, and support—and less code switching.
Featured Article
Veterans mobilize to help each other break into tech
Veterans face significant barriers to getting into tech. So they’re tapping their greatest resource: each other.
About The
ReadME Project
Coding is usually seen as a solitary activity, but it’s actually the world’s largest community effort led by open source maintainers, contributors, and teams. These unsung heroes put in long hours to build software, fix issues, field questions, and manage communities.
The ReadME Project is part of GitHub’s ongoing effort to amplify the voices of the developer community. It’s an evolving space to engage with the community and explore the stories, challenges, technology, and culture that surround the world of open source.
Nominate a developer
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