I have always been interested in Open Source projects and the power of a global community bringing together a product (in this case a CMS) that is used around the world. I always loved the idea of "it takes a village to raise a child" and in this case it was a "global village" raising Joomla! to the spotlight.
On my first night at the JUGT meeting I met two important figures in the project: Alan Langford and Ian MacLennan and after talking to them about their own experiences with the project it just hit me...I could participate too. Volunteer my time to help the project along even though my programming skills are not at expert level by any means (I am definitely I designer with understanding of PHP and not the other way around). After hearing about the many ways one can help the project I decided to jump in.
I started helping with bug testing, which I still do whenever I can, and got involved with the Joomla! Marketing Team as well (many interesting projects on the go) but it's the simple act of spreading the Joomla! word and killing some misconceptions about Joomla! via forum posts or just chatting to other users that makes me the happiest.
Just for the record, I have used WP and Drupal but I never really "clicked" with them...I can certainly set them up, template for them just as well as I can do for Joomla! but I believe that one needs to "click" with the CMS of choice and in this case Joomla! and I "click".
After having used Joomla! for so long and with my desire to give back to the project, the opportunity to get involved was the icing on the cake even though it's such a small contribution compared to Andrew Eddie's and Elin Waring's. I believe that every little minute given is important (to any OS project) and if we all give an hour/month to help in one of the many different parts of the project (you would be surprised how broad an OS project is in the background) it will grow stronger and bigger.
My advice to those who have not considered it is: get involved, find out about the many ways you can volunteer your time to OS projects, be it WP, Drupal, Joomla! or any other. You will have a much deeper understanding of what it takes to release new versions, add features, etc. It doesn't matter the range of skills you are bringing in but your desire to help and share your thoughts and ideas. Sometimes one small thought can grow into big improvements....speak out, express opinions and above all enjoy the friendships made on the way. For a list of existing JUGs (Joomla! User Groups) please visit the Joomla! Community site.
