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Welcome to the KDE Community. By joining our team, you will be part of an international effort by thousands of people working to deliver a stunning Free Software computing experience. You will meet new friends, learn new skills and make a difference to millions of users while working with people from all around the globe.
'''Welcome to the KDE Community!''' KDE is an international Free Software community. As a central development hub, it provides tools and resources that allow collaborative work on this kind of software. By joining our team, you will be part of an international effort by thousands of people working to deliver an incredible Free Software computing experience. Meet new friends, learn new skills, and make a difference to millions of users while working with people from all around the globe. This page will give you a brief introduction and help you get started with contributing.


There are many different ways you can become part of KDE. You might want to translate software into your own language, create beautiful artwork, write code or report bugs, to name just a few things you could do. You might even have an existing project you want to bring into the KDE family. This page will give you a brief introduction to things everyone in KDE should know, and help you get started with contributing.
== Start Here ==


==Code of Conduct==
We want to make sure that the KDE Community remains a welcoming and friendly place where people can feel comfortable. We ask you to learn and abide by the [https://www.kde.org/code-of-conduct/ KDE Community Code of Conduct] when interacting with the rest of the KDE Community.
We want to make sure the KDE Community is, and remains, a welcoming and friendly place that people feel comfortable in. One way we try to achieve this is with the [https://www.kde.org/code-of-conduct/ KDE Community Code of Conduct], which we ask you to abide by when interacting with the rest of the KDE Community.


==Getting in touch==
How to contribute and jump start your career in Free Software with the KDE Community?
Part of being in a community is talking to the other members. In KDE, the main channels of communication are <abbr title="Internet Relay Chat">IRC</abbr> (a realtime text communication system), the [http://forum.kde.org/ forums] and [https://www.kde.org/support/#mailinglists mailing lists].
[https://tube.kockatoo.org/w/n1PJguxBoP18m6VTJCNfnk Watch the recording of the KDE workshop at UOM: Making a Difference]


To communicate over IRC, you will need a way to connect to the [http://freenode.net/ freenode IRC network]. We suggest [https://konversation.kde.org/ Konversation] (see the [https://docs.kde.org/trunk5/en/extragear-network/konversation/index.html handbook] for help in setting it up), although a convenient alternative if you want to get going quickly is freenode's [http://webchat.freenode.net/ online webchat]. You will need to choose a ''nick'' (the name you appear on the network as), [http://freenode.net/using_the_network.shtml connect to freenode] and join a channel. [irc://irc.kde.org/kde #kde] is a good first channel to join. This is the central channel for users and contributors to communicate, but most teams will have their own channel.
[[File:Mascot 20140702 konqui-group.png|thumbnail|right|[[Konqi]] and KDE dragons with their superpowers!]]


A good mailing list to subscribe to as a new member of the KDE Community is [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde-community kde-community] (you will need to subscribe before you can send emails to the list).
== Contacting The Community ==


The links in the [[#Ways to contribute]] section will take you to pages with more specific information, including how to get in touch with specific teams.
=== New Contributor? Say Hello In Matrix ===


==Mentoring==
KDE wants to make it easy to get involved! KDE members are available to help new contributors. Many of them hang out in the [https://webchat.kde.org/#/room/#new-contributors:kde.org #new-contributors Matrix room]. If you are just starting out and already have a matrix account, feel free to ask any questions you have there! They can direct you to the right places to get more information.


KDE has a variety of programmes to introduce new contributors to KDE. These include external programmes that we participate in like the [[GSoC|Google Summer of Code]] and the [[OutreachProgramForWomen|Outreach Program for Women]], as well as KDE's own programmes, such as [[SoK|Season of KDE]]. We also maintain an informal list of people who are willing to help out any newcomers. You can find an overview on the [[Mentoring]] page.
Or just drop in to say hello! We are a nice bunch.


==Existing projects==
Note: when you click on the Matrix link above, put @myusername:matrix.org in the "Username" field, where myusername is your username and after the : is the name of the homeserver.


If you have a project already that you want to bring into KDE, we have an incubation programme to help make that happen. You can find all about it at the [[Incubator]] page.
If you don't have a Matrix account yet, instructions are provided on [https://community.kde.org/Matrix this page].


==Ways to contribute==
You may also join on IRC, at #kde-new-contributors on irc.libera.chat
===[[/development|Development]] [[File:Konqui dev close cropped.png|right|x120px|]]===


By becoming a developer in the KDE community, you can make a big difference while enjoying a challenging and fun experience. You'll learn to be a better coder, you will get to implement new features, defeat daunting bugs and create stunning products, all the while collaborating with people from all around the world. [[/development|Find out more about becoming a KDE developer]].
=== Many Ways To Reach Us ===
===[[/translation|Translation]]===


Are you fluent in multiple languages? By contributing your translations of the text in the user interfaces of KDE software, you can make it more pleasant for you to use, and open it up to millions of potential new users. [[/translation|Find out more about becoming a KDE translator]].
Our team values courtesy and respect when engaging with others. KDE members use a variety of different venues to communicate, depending on the topic. Here is a list of the ones we use most:


===[[/design|Visual and Human Interface Design]] [[File:Konqui artistic cropped.png|right|x120px|]]===
* <big>'''[https://bugs.kde.org/ KDE Bugtracker] - To report a bug or request a new feature'''.</big> <br /> The KDE Bugzilla bug tracker is intended for user-to-developer communication and tracks simple bug reports and feature requests. Sign in with your KDE Bugzilla account; if you don't have a KDE Bugzilla account, [https://bugs.kde.org/createaccount.cgi sign up for one here]. More information about the KDE Bugzilla bug tracker is available [[Get Involved/Bug Reporting | here]].


Whether you are an artist, a designer, or just someone with an interest in how people interact with software, the KDE community needs you! The VDG help make KDE software both beautiful and usable by helping teams design their user interfaces. This includes creating icons and themes, as well as thinking and researching how to help users do what they are trying to do, instead of getting in the way. By joining this team, you can help make software that makes users happy, and those around them jealous. [[/design|Find out more about joining the VDG]].
* <big>'''[https://invent.kde.org/ Invent] - To track and discuss work'''.</big> <br /> invent.kde.org is an instance of GitLab, a "git forge" intended for developer-to-developer code review, task planning, and technical discussions. If you don't have an account here, create one. More information about Invent is available [[Infrastructure/GitLab | here]].
===[[/documentation|Documentation]]===


Even with the best-designed software, users will need documentation to help them do what they want and get the most out of it. The KDE Community values good-quality documentation, and those who write it. The work of this team has one of the biggest impacts on end-users. [[/documentation|Find out more about joining the KDE documentation team]].
* <big>'''[[Matrix]], [[Internet Relay Chat]] - To start a short, goal-driven discussion'''.</big> <br />Conversations on these channels should be actionable and result in the generation of a patch, task, bug report, or visual change.
===[[/promotion|Promotion]] [[File:Konqui journalist cropped.png|right|x120px|]]===


Do you know how to get the word out on the street? Marketing and promotion of KDE is done through a mostly grassroots effort. By being a part of the team, you will be spreading the word of KDE to people that would not otherwise have heard of the amazing things we make. You'll be part of a great team of people who are moving the world! [[/promotion|Find out more about spreading the word about KDE]].
* <big>'''[https://discuss.kde.org Discuss] - To participate in general-purpose discussions'''.</big></br> Discuss is KDE's discussion forum. Here you can talk with other KDE users and contributors about everything to do with KDE, in particular the software we produce.


===[[/accessibility|Accessibility]]===
* <big>'''[https://kde.org/support/mailinglists/ Mailing Lists] - To start a long-term, open-ended discussion'''.</big> <br />You don't need to subscribe to them all; just a few will do. As a new member of the KDE Community, you should at least subscribe to [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde-community kde-community] and [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde-devel kde-devel]. You will need to subscribe to each mailing list before you can send messages to it.


Part of reaching as wide an audience as possible includes making KDE software easy to use for people with visual, auditory and motor disabilities. This is an important area that unfortunately does not get as much love as it deserves. Whether you are familiar with the techniques and technologies involved in this or are just keen to help out, your help will be enthusiastically welcomed. [[/accessibility|Find out more about making KDE software more accessible]].
* <big>'''[[KDE_Culture|KDE Culture]] - The shared norms and guidelines of KDE'''.</big><br/>KDE is a large, diverse, multi-generational organization, and a certain culture has developed over time.
===[[/bugs|Bug Triaging]] [[File:Konqui utilities cropped.png|x120px|right|]]===


The KDE BugSquad is the first line of attack for bugs. By keeping track of incoming bug reports, verifying them, improving them and cleaning them up, you will help developers figure out what bugs they need to work on and help them get the information they need to fix them. You don't need any coding knowledge to participate, but experience has shown that members of this team often learn a lot in the course of dealing with bug reports, and many move on to developing the software itself. [[/bugs|Find out more about helping squash bugs in KDE software]].
== Ways to Contribute ==
 
===[https://www.kde.org/community/donations/ Donations]===
[[File:Mascot konqi-support-business.png |x120px|right|]]
KDE is a mostly volunteer community made up of people just like you! Our members need support in many areas including web and file-hosting costs, airfare to KDE events, and even hiring some full-time employees.
 
If you would like to support KDE to continue producing amazing free software, consider donating.
 
[https://www.kde.org/community/donations/ Find out more about making a financial donation to KDE].
 
=== Bugs & Improvement Ideas ===
 
====[[ Get Involved/Issue Reporting | Issue Reporting]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi.png|x120px|right|]]
Whether it's a KDE software bug or improvement ideas, let our developers know! Quality assurance makes KDE software better, and you can join in making sure our users are happy with the final product.
 
[[ Get Involved/Issue Reporting | Find out more about issue reporting]].
 
=== Develop KDE Software ===
 
====[[/development|Development]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-app-dev.png|right|x120px|]]
By becoming a developer in the KDE community, you can affect people by writing and improving world-class software used by millions. There are many small jobs available, so you don't even need to be an experienced programmer to start developing for KDE!
 
In the process you'll learn portable, industry-standard skills like C++, Qt, CMake, git, and collaborate with people from all around the world. Writing source code is a challenging and fun experience.
 
[[/development|Find out more about becoming a KDE developer]].
 
====[[Guidelines and HOWTOs/Bug triaging|Bug Triaging]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-support-bughunt.png|x120px|right|]]
Another crucial step to make KDE software better is through bug triaging. Our users submit their tickets on [https://bugs.kde.org Bugzilla], and we have many to process!
 
Test and confirm KDE bugs and let developers know! No additional programming experience is required. Use the comments section to confirm the bug and help raise awareness. Hunting for bugs is an incredible entry door into programming.
 
[[Guidelines and HOWTOs/Bug triaging|Find out more about helping squash bugs in KDE software]].
 
====[[Quality Assurance]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-app-utilities.png|right|x120px|]]
KDE's Quality Assurance team tests pre-release software and proposed changes to make sure that everything works properly! Catching bugs during the development process is the name of the game, so that users of KDE software have a smooth and pleasant experience.
 
[[Quality Assurance|Find out more about performing QA on KDE software]].
 
====[[/accessibility|Accessibility]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-app-system.png |x120px|right|]]
KDE makes software that is easy to use for people with visual, auditory and motor disabilities. Whether you are familiar with the techniques and technologies involved in enabling equitable access to software, or are just keen to find out more, we want your help!
 
[[/accessibility|Find out more about making KDE software more accessible]].
 
====[[Gardening|Management]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-app-office.png |x120px|right|]]
KDE Management works under the Gardening team. This team helps make everything run smoothly. If you are a "big picture" person, enjoy working with a diverse group of people, or have amazing ideas on how to help KDE, this is the place for you!
 
[[Gardening|Find out more about being a manager in KDE]].
 
=== Translation & Design ===
 
====[[/translation|Translation]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-international.png|right|x120px|]]
Are you fluent in multiple languages? Our multi-language software is always aiming to be precise and understood by everyone. Our user interface can always use your ability with languages to make it so. Join our translation efforts today!
 
[[/translation|Find out more about becoming a KDE translator]].
 
====[[/design|Visual and Human Interface Design]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-app-graphics.png|right|x120px|]]
Whether you are an artist, a designer, or just someone with an interest in user interaction, join the '''KDE Visual Design Group'''!
 
Wow users with interfaces that just want to be touched. The VDG makes KDE software both beautiful and usable for millions of users. We create icons, desktop themes, sounds, interfaces, and much more. Come join us today!
 
[[/design|Find out more about joining the VDG]].
 
====[[KDE.org|Web Design]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-app-internet.png|x120px|right|]]
KDE's web presence helps people learn about our awesome technology and how to get it! The web team works closely with the Visual Design Group and Promo teams. It is right at the intersection of visual design and publicity.
 
As a member of the KDE Web Team, you will work on websites seen by millions and learn portable, industry-standard skills like Jekyll, Drupal, Wordpress, and more.
 
[[KDE.org|Find out more about joining the KDE web design team]].
 
=== Documentation & User Support ===
 
====[[/documentation|Documentation]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-support-document.png|x120px|right|]]
KDE users need documentation to get started contributing to the project. We value good-quality documentation, and those who write it. Help introduce more users to the KDE platform through powerful documentation.
 
[[/documentation|Find out more about joining the KDE documentation team]].
 
====[[/support|User Support]]====
[[File:Mascot_konqi-commu-mail.png|x120px|right|]]
The KDE Community provides several platforms for users to ask for support from other users. Whether it is technical support, access, or maintenance, our various online channels are available 24/7 for any questions.
 
[[/support|Find out more about providing user support]].
 
=== Promo & Outreach ===
 
====[[/promotion|Promotion]]====
[[File:Mascot konqi-commu-journalist.png|right|x120px|]]
Do you know how to get the word out on the street? As part of the Promo Team, you'll help spread the word about KDE. You'll be part of a great team of people who are moving the world!
 
If you have skills in marketing, copywriting, and social media management, come join us!
 
[[/promotion|Find out more about spreading the word about KDE]].
 
=== KDE Eco ===
 
====[[Goals/Sustainable_Software|Sustainable Software]]====
KDE Eco supports Free & Open Source communities in developing sustainable software. Let's make energy efficiency and digital sustainability part of our culture. We can live up to our responsibility for this and future generations!
 
[https://eco.kde.org/get-involved/ Find out more about sustainable software at KDE].
 
===[[incubator | Add Your Project to KDE]]===
If you have a project already that you want to bring into KDE, we have an incubation program to help you.
 
[[incubator | Find out more about making your software a KDE project]].
 
More information is available at [[#Start_Here.21|#Start_Here!]], including getting in touch with other teams.
 
== Mentoring Programs ==
 
KDE participates in a variety of mentoring programs to introduce new contributors to KDE. These include:
 
* [[GSoC|Google Summer of Code]]
* [[SoK|Season of KDE]]
* [[OutreachProgramForWomen|Outreach Program for Women]]
 
You can find mentors for these programs listed on the [[Mentoring]] page.

Latest revision as of 09:52, 5 May 2024

Welcome to the KDE Community! KDE is an international Free Software community. As a central development hub, it provides tools and resources that allow collaborative work on this kind of software. By joining our team, you will be part of an international effort by thousands of people working to deliver an incredible Free Software computing experience. Meet new friends, learn new skills, and make a difference to millions of users while working with people from all around the globe. This page will give you a brief introduction and help you get started with contributing.

Start Here

We want to make sure that the KDE Community remains a welcoming and friendly place where people can feel comfortable. We ask you to learn and abide by the KDE Community Code of Conduct when interacting with the rest of the KDE Community.

How to contribute and jump start your career in Free Software with the KDE Community? Watch the recording of the KDE workshop at UOM: Making a Difference

Konqi and KDE dragons with their superpowers!

Contacting The Community

New Contributor? Say Hello In Matrix

KDE wants to make it easy to get involved! KDE members are available to help new contributors. Many of them hang out in the #new-contributors Matrix room. If you are just starting out and already have a matrix account, feel free to ask any questions you have there! They can direct you to the right places to get more information.

Or just drop in to say hello! We are a nice bunch.

Note: when you click on the Matrix link above, put @myusername:matrix.org in the "Username" field, where myusername is your username and after the : is the name of the homeserver.

If you don't have a Matrix account yet, instructions are provided on this page.

You may also join on IRC, at #kde-new-contributors on irc.libera.chat

Many Ways To Reach Us

Our team values courtesy and respect when engaging with others. KDE members use a variety of different venues to communicate, depending on the topic. Here is a list of the ones we use most:

  • KDE Bugtracker - To report a bug or request a new feature.
    The KDE Bugzilla bug tracker is intended for user-to-developer communication and tracks simple bug reports and feature requests. Sign in with your KDE Bugzilla account; if you don't have a KDE Bugzilla account, sign up for one here. More information about the KDE Bugzilla bug tracker is available here.
  • Invent - To track and discuss work.
    invent.kde.org is an instance of GitLab, a "git forge" intended for developer-to-developer code review, task planning, and technical discussions. If you don't have an account here, create one. More information about Invent is available here.
  • Matrix, Internet Relay Chat - To start a short, goal-driven discussion.
    Conversations on these channels should be actionable and result in the generation of a patch, task, bug report, or visual change.
  • Discuss - To participate in general-purpose discussions.
    Discuss is KDE's discussion forum. Here you can talk with other KDE users and contributors about everything to do with KDE, in particular the software we produce.
  • Mailing Lists - To start a long-term, open-ended discussion.
    You don't need to subscribe to them all; just a few will do. As a new member of the KDE Community, you should at least subscribe to kde-community and kde-devel. You will need to subscribe to each mailing list before you can send messages to it.
  • KDE Culture - The shared norms and guidelines of KDE.
    KDE is a large, diverse, multi-generational organization, and a certain culture has developed over time.

Ways to Contribute

Donations

KDE is a mostly volunteer community made up of people just like you! Our members need support in many areas including web and file-hosting costs, airfare to KDE events, and even hiring some full-time employees.

If you would like to support KDE to continue producing amazing free software, consider donating.

Find out more about making a financial donation to KDE.

Bugs & Improvement Ideas

Issue Reporting

Whether it's a KDE software bug or improvement ideas, let our developers know! Quality assurance makes KDE software better, and you can join in making sure our users are happy with the final product.

Find out more about issue reporting.

Develop KDE Software

Development

By becoming a developer in the KDE community, you can affect people by writing and improving world-class software used by millions. There are many small jobs available, so you don't even need to be an experienced programmer to start developing for KDE!

In the process you'll learn portable, industry-standard skills like C++, Qt, CMake, git, and collaborate with people from all around the world. Writing source code is a challenging and fun experience.

Find out more about becoming a KDE developer.

Bug Triaging

Another crucial step to make KDE software better is through bug triaging. Our users submit their tickets on Bugzilla, and we have many to process!

Test and confirm KDE bugs and let developers know! No additional programming experience is required. Use the comments section to confirm the bug and help raise awareness. Hunting for bugs is an incredible entry door into programming.

Find out more about helping squash bugs in KDE software.

Quality Assurance

KDE's Quality Assurance team tests pre-release software and proposed changes to make sure that everything works properly! Catching bugs during the development process is the name of the game, so that users of KDE software have a smooth and pleasant experience.

Find out more about performing QA on KDE software.

Accessibility

KDE makes software that is easy to use for people with visual, auditory and motor disabilities. Whether you are familiar with the techniques and technologies involved in enabling equitable access to software, or are just keen to find out more, we want your help!

Find out more about making KDE software more accessible.

Management

KDE Management works under the Gardening team. This team helps make everything run smoothly. If you are a "big picture" person, enjoy working with a diverse group of people, or have amazing ideas on how to help KDE, this is the place for you!

Find out more about being a manager in KDE.

Translation & Design

Translation

Are you fluent in multiple languages? Our multi-language software is always aiming to be precise and understood by everyone. Our user interface can always use your ability with languages to make it so. Join our translation efforts today!

Find out more about becoming a KDE translator.

Visual and Human Interface Design

Whether you are an artist, a designer, or just someone with an interest in user interaction, join the KDE Visual Design Group!

Wow users with interfaces that just want to be touched. The VDG makes KDE software both beautiful and usable for millions of users. We create icons, desktop themes, sounds, interfaces, and much more. Come join us today!

Find out more about joining the VDG.

Web Design

KDE's web presence helps people learn about our awesome technology and how to get it! The web team works closely with the Visual Design Group and Promo teams. It is right at the intersection of visual design and publicity.

As a member of the KDE Web Team, you will work on websites seen by millions and learn portable, industry-standard skills like Jekyll, Drupal, Wordpress, and more.

Find out more about joining the KDE web design team.

Documentation & User Support

Documentation

KDE users need documentation to get started contributing to the project. We value good-quality documentation, and those who write it. Help introduce more users to the KDE platform through powerful documentation.

Find out more about joining the KDE documentation team.

User Support

The KDE Community provides several platforms for users to ask for support from other users. Whether it is technical support, access, or maintenance, our various online channels are available 24/7 for any questions.

Find out more about providing user support.

Promo & Outreach

Promotion

Do you know how to get the word out on the street? As part of the Promo Team, you'll help spread the word about KDE. You'll be part of a great team of people who are moving the world!

If you have skills in marketing, copywriting, and social media management, come join us!

Find out more about spreading the word about KDE.

KDE Eco

Sustainable Software

KDE Eco supports Free & Open Source communities in developing sustainable software. Let's make energy efficiency and digital sustainability part of our culture. We can live up to our responsibility for this and future generations!

Find out more about sustainable software at KDE.

Add Your Project to KDE

If you have a project already that you want to bring into KDE, we have an incubation program to help you.

Find out more about making your software a KDE project.

More information is available at #Start_Here!, including getting in touch with other teams.

Mentoring Programs

KDE participates in a variety of mentoring programs to introduce new contributors to KDE. These include:

You can find mentors for these programs listed on the Mentoring page.