Opening a New Window in Life: How a Humanities Major Entered the World of Open Source

時間
2025年8月10日 13:00 ~ 13:30
講者
呂勝男
位置
TR514
共筆
https://hackmd.io/ByrUjqZ_xl
英語入門
日本特別軌 - Open Source People Network (OSPN)

簡介

This talk explores how non-engineers—especially those from non-technical backgrounds—can find meaningful ways to participate in open-source communities, gain confidence, and grow through contribution. Drawing from experience in the Redmine community, the session introduces practical ways to contribute without writing code—such as translation, documentation, and providing user feedback. It also discusses how language skills and a user’s perspective can be vital in supporting global collaboration. The talk will cover how to overcome initial barriers, what contributors can gain through involvement, and how open source offers a space to build confidence, purpose, and connection. This session is ideal for non-engineers, newcomers to open source, or anyone who feels unsure about how they can contribute. You’ll walk away with concrete ideas on how to get started, where to find support, and how to grow through open collaboration—even without a technical background.

關於講者

呂勝男

呂勝男

I studied Japanese at Jilin University in China and went on to earn a master’s degree in Theoretical Linguistics from Tohoku University in Japan. I’m currently working at Far End Technologies Corporation, an IT company based in Shimane, Japan, where I handle marketing, communications, and customer support.

Before joining the company, I had no background in IT. It was here that I was first introduced to open source and Redmine. While I don’t write code, I contribute to the Redmine community through translation and by sharing feedback from a user’s perspective. Over time, I’ve come to see how my language skills and curiosity can be real strengths—even in a technical field.

Working with Redmine has been a turning point in my life. It’s helped me connect with people from different cultures, build confidence, and feel part of something bigger. Today, I support Redmine users in Chinese, Japanese, and English, helping bridge language and cultural gaps in a global community.