I couldn't recall how I got started in open-source, so I've used GitHub API to find the very first pubic commit. Turns out it was some JavaScript based game, committed all mostly in one go.
I made the script available for others to use:
https://gitspo.com/gajus/first-commits
Replace "gajus" with your GitHub username to find your first commit.
I'm a huge fan of drive-by commits. GitHub's web editor makes it really easy to correct a typo or add a two-line fix - and for many people that might be their first contribution to open-source, without the faff of downloading git etc.
I made this over the past hour and figured I'd submit it. My goal is to do at least one 30 day GitHub commit streak this year. I built this little app to remind me by email (towards the end of the day) when I don't already have commits for the day.
The thing I like the most about GitHub is that it puts the code first. You go to a web site, and you see these things, in roughly this order:
1. The code.
2. A descriptive readme, which GitHub has successfully trained people how to write.
3. Some miscellaneous buttons and stuff.
This definitely leads to a jump-in-and-hack approach, unlike project sites where you end up clicking through a bunch of crap to get to the code. On Google Code, for instance, you have to click on the Source tab, then a tiny link somewhere on the page, and the code browser isn't even that good.
I'm surprised Github integration isn't on their own roadmap. It would be killer to mark things as completed via commits and see code activity in one application.
Damn!!! I have been coding for almost 20 years and google everything and never thought of searching github. I can't believe I have never thought of that. Thanks for the tip.
I was trying to find an issue management system for doing “the perfect commit” and tried loads without thinking of GitHub issues, which is obviously the correct place to put things. Exciting to hear about GitHub projects too which sounds fantastic!
I would love to watch a day of programming by someone as prolific as Simon to see what other things he does to maintain speed and keep churning out code!
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