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by zaphar 4840 days ago
I was never really that into the Microsoft world but others have mentioned places to look for OpenSource projects for those platforms.

There is no reason you can't move platforms or languages though. If you know C# or Asp.Net you know enough to get started in ruby, python, perl, or any other language. You don't have to limit yourself in this industry.
1 comments
Paul_D_Santana 4840 days ago
That is true. Funny you mention Ruby as I have just completed Code School's Try Ruby course this weekend!

However, how could I make any particularly meaningful contribution in a language I am just learning? I feel that any issues or new features in an open source project probably require some fairly advanced knowledge, no?

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zaphar 4840 days ago
A lot of my blogging at that time was about what I was learning. In fact those posts were the most instrumental in getting me the job in Chicago. My blog showed up for a lot of howto searches for perl. Which got me noticed by a company needing perl programmers.

Blog about what you are learning. Your contribution will be helping others learn from your experiences.

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Paul_D_Santana 4833 days ago
Thank you Zaphar! I have created my first post in dedication of your reply! (See the "P.S.")

http://paulsantana.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/the-effects-of-a...

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Paul_D_Santana 4839 days ago
Thank you. That is a really excellent idea.
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zaphar 4840 days ago
You'd be surprised what you can tackle even when learning a new language. A lot of the bugs in an open source project aren't unfixed because they are tricky but because no has had time to work on them.

You're most valuable contribution will be time and willingness to tackle something.

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Paul_D_Santana 4839 days ago
Interesting. I would have figured easy bugs were squashed in seconds by expert developers. Shows how new I am to this eh? Thanks for all the advice.
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