Join Hacktoberfest 2024 and Make Your First Open Source Contribution!

It's that time of the year again! Hacktoberfest is here, and it's the perfect opportunity for developers, especially beginners, to dive into the world of open source. If you're new to coding or open source, Hacktoberfest is a fantastic way to learn, grow, and give back to the community.

Why Contribute to Open Source?

1. Real-World Experience: Contributing to open source lets you work on real projects with real-world problems. It’s a great way to build your portfolio.
2. Learning Opportunities: You'll get to learn from other developers, see how large codebases are structured, and understand how collaborative development works.
3. Networking: Open source communities are full of talented people. It's a great way to make connections, ask questions, and get advice.
4. Feel Good: It’s rewarding to know that your code is helping others!

My Project: Talk Timer – Perfect for Beginners

I have a small open-source project that’s Hacktoberfest eligible and beginner-friendly! It’s a Next.js app called Talk Timer. This app is a simple timer for talks, with configurable warning and end times. You can also toggle full screen mode using the F/f key to keep things distraction-free during presentations.

Demo: https://talk-timer.vercel.app
Github repo: https://github.com/dnafication/talk-timer

If you're just getting started with open source or want to contribute to something simple, there are beginner-friendly issues up for grabs in this project. Whether you're comfortable with JavaScript or want to dip your toes into the world of React and Next.js, there’s something here for you.

How to Get Involved

1. Fork the Repo: Head over to the Talk Timer repository on GitHub, fork it, and get started.
2. Check the Issues: All the issues are currently beginner friendly and hacktoberfest ready. These are small, manageable tasks that you can tackle as your first contribution.
3. Make Your Contribution: Submit your pull request and you’ll be well on your way to completing Hacktoberfest!
4. Learn Along the Way: Don’t worry if you get stuck; feel free to ask questions. I am happy to help and the open source communities are welcoming and love helping new contributors.

Hacktoberfest is a wonderful opportunity to start your open source journey. Take the leap, and let’s make this month one of growth and contribution!

Happy coding! 🚀

Cover Photo by Yurii Khomitskyi on Unsplash