This page collects all the articles in my “Letters to an open source contributor series.” Enjoy!
Letters to an open source contributor
As mentioned, in September I’m leaving Automattic and my full-time role supporting contributors and programs in the WordPress open source project. (I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who’ve taken the time to tell me that I’ve had a positive impact on them or on their experience in WordPress. Thank you so much, friends!…
Letters to an open source contributor: Communication
Josepha likes to say, “all problems are, at their heart, communication problems,” and I couldn’t agree more. The most powerful tool in your open source toolbox is not an understanding of code or usability, but rather the ability to express yourself and understand what other people are trying to say. Here are some qualities I…
Letters to an open source contributor: Collaboration
You don’t have to want to collaborate to use WordPress to do great things. You DO need to collaborate if you want to do great things in the WordPress open source project, though. Collaboration isn’t always the fastest way to accomplish something, but I think it is the best way to accomplish things that have…
Letters to an open source contributor: Criticizing for change
This article is for those of you who see things that you think are wrong in open source, and are interested in tips for sharing your critical feedback in ways that that are more likely to result in a change.
Letters to an open source contributor: Leadership
Much of my work in WordPress over the past decade has involved coaching and training leaders working in open source, and as I wind down this part of my career, I find I have a lot to say on the topic! I’m going to try to follow my own advice and be brief here, but…
Letters to an open source contributor: Trust
Open source software projects depend on a large group of passionate “do-ers,” who collaborate online to build or improve something that they all care about. Connections between contributors is frequently tenuous; you’re reviewing code or designs or discussing UI with people you may have never met or seen, and maybe never will. But you want…
About Me
Hi, I’m Andrea! Welcome to my personal blog. I mostly use this site to share ideas about community, leadership, open source, and WordPress. I also sometimes post pictures of my family, food and wine thoughts, and other nonspecific stuff. From 2011-2021 I worked at Automattic, focused on the WordPress open source project; I now work for Reddit. I live in Portland, Oregon.
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The Thing With The Stuff 