Working in a Virtual CommunityWorking in a Virtual Community

Lenz Grimmer <Lenz Grimmer <lenz@grimmer.com>>

http://lenzg.net/

2009-09-17 | openSUSE Conference 09 | Nuremberg, DE2009-09-17 | openSUSE Conference 09 | Nuremberg, DE

$ whoami$ whoami

1998 2002

2010?2008

MySQL AB, Jan 2008MySQL AB, Jan 2008

AdvantagesAdvantages● Contribute from anywhereContribute from anywhere● Setting your own work scheduleSetting your own work schedule● Time zone coverageTime zone coverage● Less distractionsLess distractions

Personal RequirementsPersonal Requirements● SkillsSkills

● CommunicationCommunication● Language (English)Language (English)● System administrationSystem administration

● Self-motivationSelf-motivation● Working in isolationWorking in isolation● Fast/reliable Internet connectionFast/reliable Internet connection

DisadvantagesDisadvantages● Work/life balanceWork/life balance● IsolationIsolation● Time zone differencesTime zone differences● Communication overheadCommunication overhead● Decision making processesDecision making processes

Language / Culture BarriersLanguage / Culture Barriers

Passion and DisagreementPassion and Disagreement

Social AspectsSocial Aspects● TrustTrust● LeadershipLeadership● Mission and CultureMission and Culture● Open & direct communicationOpen & direct communication

CollaborationCollaboration

Collaboration ToolsCollaboration Tools

● Mailing lists / Forums / ArchivesMailing lists / Forums / Archives● Wikis / DocumentationWikis / Documentation● Public / Shared CalendarPublic / Shared Calendar● IRC / Chat (AIM, ICQ, Jabber, etc.)IRC / Chat (AIM, ICQ, Jabber, etc.)● Skype / VoIP (Asterisk)Skype / VoIP (Asterisk)● Social Networks / (Micro-) BlogsSocial Networks / (Micro-) Blogs● News aggregatorsNews aggregators

Collaboration Tools (2)Collaboration Tools (2)● Public Issue/Feature TrackersPublic Issue/Feature Trackers● Automated builds / Continous IntegrationAutomated builds / Continous Integration● Downloadable snapshot buildsDownloadable snapshot builds● DVCS (Bazaar, git, Mercurial)DVCS (Bazaar, git, Mercurial)● Source Code Browsers / Cross ReferencesSource Code Browsers / Cross References

Meetings & ConferencesMeetings & Conferences

TravelTravel

$ cat /etc/motd$ cat /etc/motd

Thank you!Thank you!

Lenz GrimmerLenz Grimmer<lenz@grimmer.com>

http://lenzg.net/

Questions / DiscussionQuestions / Discussion