Contributing to free software projects requires persistence, humility, and above all, good communication skills. Is it possible to teach these to aspiring contributors? If so, how?

Upstream University was founded with the belief that this is not only possible but desirable from the point of view of the free software communities, the contributors themselves, and even the companies that hire them.  With the backing of luminaries such as Richard Stallman, Bradley Kuhn, Karen Sandler and Dave Neary, it devised a training program aimed at helping professional developers (and documenters!) contribute successfully to free software projects.

This talk, originally conceived as a workshop with Stefano Maffulli during the OpenStack Party at Oscon 2012, will expose Upstream University's short history, its challenges, and successess.  Most importantly, and in true free software spirit, as much as possible of the hard-earned lessons will be shared in the short time available.

Contributing to free software projects requires persistence, humility, and above all, good communication skills. Is it possible to teach these to aspiring contributors? If so, how?

Upstream University was founded with the belief that this is not only possible but desirable from the point of view of the free software communities, the contributors themselves, and even the companies that hire them.  With the backing of luminaries such as Richard Stallman, Bradley Kuhn, Karen Sandler and Dave Neary, it devised a training program aimed at helping professional developers (and documenters!) contribute successfully to free software projects.

This talk, originally conceived as a workshop with Stefano Maffulli during the OpenStack Party at Oscon 2012, will expose Upstream University's short history, its challenges, and successess.  Most importantly, and in true free software spirit, as much as possible of the hard-earned lessons will be shared in the short time available.