Re: What makes a contributor to Perl?

I'd add in "those who contribute toward a positive perception of the Perl community by being temperate, welcoming, patient, and helpful". You may not believe it, but it makes a huge difference to people who are not "in" one or another of the Perl groups.

Other contributors include those who are graceful when in error. The phrase, "You're absolutely right! Thanks for the correction" makes a big difference too. Insisting that you are technically correct just makes you look like a weasel.

Comment on Re: What makes a contributor to Perl?

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Re^2: What makes a contributor to Perl? by petdance (Parson) on Mar 28, 2012 at 22:26 UTC
Indeed. I'm reminded of this post from a few days ago: I will not learn Rails "I'd rather use the (framework) with the smallest number of unwelcoming members." xoxo, Andy	[reply]
Re^3: What makes a contributor to Perl? by locked_user sundialsvc4 (Abbot) on Mar 29, 2012 at 14:52 UTC
Having read the aforementioned post, and finding it merely to be a rant, I have a Rhett Butler response to it. It says nothing of value about the value of (e.g.) the Ruby/Rails language system as a vehicle for earning my daily keep. That, to be quite frank, is the only reason why I care about Perl, too: it is the concern that is properly given to a fleet of freight locomotives. The thing might be ugly and noisy and loud (or beautiful and graceful, depending on your sentiment), but, it moves the freight that pays the bills. I am going to reach for the thing that you have built and I am going to make of it an integral part of a thing that feeds my family. I therefore do not particularly care about you. We have never met, and it is highly unlikely that we ever will. But I do care about the thing that you have made ... in the manner of how one cares about the quality of the bolt that supports the kingpin of the bridge that is carrying one’s spouse and children.
Re^4: What makes a contributor to Perl? by petdance (Parson) on Apr 02, 2012 at 15:25 UTC
I believe his point is that he doesn't like working with software where that software's community is populated by assholes. Perhaps you don't mind. Perhaps you're immune to the hostility and aggression of others. For many of us, it doesn't, and it makes working on or with the project unpleasant. Life's too short to be spent at a shitty job. I see working in a hostile community as the open source version of a shitty job. xoxo, Andy	[reply]