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Github Universe 2024: Open Source Fundraising Notes

Posted on:November 3, 2024

GitHub Sponsors Session: Cha-ching! How to Attract Funding for Your Open Source Projects

Speaker: Anjuan Simmons, Staff Engineering Manager, GitHub


Met the Marimo Team

Just days ago, I was reviewing a new website project featuring Marimo. How lucky it was to run into them here!
Marimo is an open-source reactive notebook for Python, designed to be reproducible, interactive, and shareable. Got to meet Myles Scolnick and Akshay Agrawal from the team.


Aframe

A-Frame is a framework for easily making webXR experiences. Got to see the great Diego Marcos again and meet Vincent Fretin for the first time. This meant a lot to me considering how much I’ve used A-Frame in the past.

The Cathedral and the Bazaar

I still haven’t read “The Cathedral and the Bazaar,” but it’s on my list.
This seminal book by Eric S. Raymond dives into contrasting models of software development in the open-source vs. proprietary world.

Is Working in Public by Nadia Eghbal a more modern take on similar themes? I loved it and reference it often.


Met with Mermaid CEO, Andrew Firestone

Mermaid is a JavaScript-based diagramming and charting tool.
With Mermaid, you can create diagrams using Markdown-inspired syntax—perfect for visualizing complex processes.
I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew Firestone, the CEO of Mermaid.
Learn more about Mermaid


Home Assistant

Home Assistant is a popular open-source home automation platform that helps users control and automate smart devices.
I had the pleasure of meeting Missy Quarry, THE community manager for Home Assistant—she was super nice, and it’s easy to see why Home Assistant is considered one of the most welcoming open-source communities!


🍺 Homebrew - Met Mike McQuaid!

Homebrew is a free and open-source software package manager that I’ve used for years.
Met Mike McQuaid, a true legend in the open-source world. It was an honor to meet him in person!


GitSim

GitSim offers a safe way to practice git commands like force pushes, rebases, and merges without risking real repositories.
Although I didn’t get a chance to meet Jacob Stopak from GitSim directly, it seems like a cool tool.


LadyBird, Porffor, and Swift Legends

Also in attendance: the great Andrew Kaster who is building LadyBird, a slick looking new browser.

Mozilla Alum Oliver Medhurst who is building JS engine Porffor.

and Joannisor Landos Swift, backend ios genius.

Github Sponsors

Obviously, this was a great session to get more info on Github Sponsors. Thank you Stephanie for helping answer all my questions!