Episode 262: Brian Muenzenmeyer on Approachable Open Source

Guest Brian Muenzenmeyer Panelists Richard Littauer | Abbigail
Cabunoc Mayes Show Notes In this episode of Sustain, host Richard
Littauer is joined by co-host Abigail Cabunoc Mayes and guest Brian
Muenzenmeyer, a seasoned open source contributor. Brian shares his
journey in web development, his experiences with burnout, and
insights from his new book, Approachable Open Source. Some key
topics discussed include contributing to open source projects,
community building, maintaining balance, and funding models for
sustainability. This episode emphasizes the role of diverse
contributions and the importance of creating accessible avenues for
all kinds of contributions in open source. Press download now to
hear more! [00:01:40] Brian discusses his book, which offers
practical advice for navigating open source. He reflects on his
career journey, from early contributions to burnout and recovery.
He shares his humble beginnings with jQuery Mobile and the steps
that led him to maintain major projects like Pattern Lab.
[00:04:21] Brian opens up about his experience with burnout and how
it influenced the writing of his book. [00:06:42] Brian emphasizes
the importance of designing sustainable open source communities.
[00:08:41] Richard, Brian, and Abby explore the concept of “pace
layers” in open source, highlighting the dynamic balance between
innovation and stability. [00:14:10] Chapter 7 in Brian’s book is
discussed where Brian advocates for corporate contributions to open
source and shares tips for individuals looking to get involved.
[00:20:04] Brian provides practical advice for maintainers,
including time management, fostering diverse roles, and creating
approachable entry points for contributors. [00:25:01] The
conversation delves into the challenges of improving diversity in
open source communities and the importance of celebrating
successes. [00:28:39] Find out where you can get Brian’s book,
Approachable Open Source. Digital copies are available worldwide,
and physical copies shipping to the U.S. and Canada. Quotes
[00:05:29] “There isn’t a dichotomy between consumption and
contribution.” [00:13:48] “The work that we’re doing isn’t really
for us. If you’re making open source, it’s not really for you,
you’re sharing it with the world.” [00:20:28] “If you look at a
mature open source project and try to emulate it at the outset,
you’re going to be disappointed and you’re going to feel like
you’re always behind.” [00:23:09] “You don’t need permission to do
your job.” [00:23:41] “You’re already empowered to fix things that
you see are broken.” [00:23:57] “Instead of buying a maintainer a
coffee, spend a coffee cup’s amount of time looking at their issue
log.” Spotlight [00:30:05] Richard’s spotlight is Stephen Colbert.
[00:30:38] Abby’s spotlight is Calibre. [00:30:54] Brian’s
spotlight is his good friend, Geoff Pursell
(https://github.com/geoffp). Links SustainOSS
(https://sustainoss.org/) podcast@sustainoss.org
(mailto:podcast@sustainoss.org) richard@sustainoss.org
(mailto:richard@sustainoss.org) SustainOSS Discourse
(https://discourse.sustainoss.org/) SustainOSS Mastodon
(https://mastodon.social/tags/sustainoss) Open
Collective-SustainOSS (Contribute)
(https://opencollective.com/sustainoss) Richard Littauer Socials
(https://www.burntfen.com/2023-05-30/socials) Abby Cabunoc Mayes X
(https://x.com/abbycabs) Brian Muenzenmeyer Website
(https://brianmuenzenmeyer.com/) Brian Muenzenmeyer's Bluesky
(https://bsky.app/profile/brianmuenzenmeyer.com) Brian Muenzenmeyer
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-muenzenmeyer-91a77554/)
Approachable Open Source By Brian Muenzenmeyer
(https://approachableopensource.com/) Colin Dean-GitHub
(https://github.com/colindean) Pace Layers Thinking: Paul Saffo and
Stewart Brand @ The Interval
(https://longnow.org/ideas/stewart-brand-pace-layers-thinking-at-the-interval/)
Ship Faster By Building Design Systems Slower By Josh Clark
(https://bigmedium.com/ideas/design-system-pace-layers-slow-fast.html)
Ecosyste.ms (https://ecosyste.ms/) Ecosystem Funds: Curated Support
For Your Critical Software Dependencies By Ben Nickolls
(https://opencollective.com/opensource/updates/ecosystem-funds-curated-support-for-your-critical-software-dependencies)
John Oliver (Not Stephen Colbert)!
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Oliver) Calibre
(https://calibre-ebook.com/) Credits Produced by Richard Littauer
(https://www.burntfen.com/) Edited by Paul M. Bahr at Peachtree
Sound (https://www.peachtreesound.com/) Show notes by DeAnn Bahr
Peachtree Sound (https://www.peachtreesound.com/) Special Guest:
Brian Muenzenmeyer.