What you need to know
Github is a big place, but for the Do-A-Thon, you're only going to need to use a small part. We'll use "Github Issues" to serve as an open discussion list and list projects and challenges the community is working on. By using this website, and reading the instructions, you'll feel like a pro in no time.
How to sign up
If you don't already have an account, you'll need to create a Github account. It only takes 5 minutes (top tips: try and use your name as your username, you only need the free plan, and you can skip step 3)! Although Github says it's "for developers" in reality people with lots of different backgrounds use it!
How to find a project and stay up to date
On this page you can find lots of different ways to find something to get involved with. Once you find something, we'll take you to Github. The page you land on is a bit scary, but all you need to worry about is clicking on a topic that interests you. Then you'll be able to get involved. If you're not ready to get involved yet, but want to get updates on what happens, subscribe for notifications over email. There is a button on the sidebar for this when you're signed in!
How to contribute
Github is a platform for open source, collaborative working. We'll be using it as a space to work together on do-a-thon projects and challenges. Specifically, we are doing this through Github "issues". Each issue will act as a mini discussion thread for each project or challenge people are working on. If you don't already have one, you'll need to create a Github account. It only takes 5 minutes (top tips: try and use your name as your username, you only need the free plan, and you can skip step 3)!
After that, getting involved is as easy as posting a comment on the project or challenge you've chosen. You can explore projects and challenges right on this page. In your comments you can paste an image, make a link to Gdoc to flesh something out, anything. Just remember to bring it all back to the issue regularly to keep people up to date.
After you've commented once, you can keep up to date from your inbox automatically!
Be supportive and respectful
Doing activism is hard work, but knowing the community cares can get you a long way. Leave a comment saying you love someones idea or work, leave a smily face reaction, or share their idea on Twitter. It all helps. Finally, remember that all do-a-thon participants must comply with OpenCon's Code of Conduct — which does not tolerate discrimination or harassment.
