Hacktoberfest is an annual event that runs throughout October, celebrating open-source projects and the community of contributors who make them possible. For the 10th consecutive year, DigitalOcean is hosting Hacktoberfest, offering a welcoming environment for developers, especially those who are just beginning their journey into open source.
It’s the perfect time to dive into contributing, with project maintainers providing extra guidance and support to help you through your first pull requests on GitHub.
This year, as Hacktoberfest continues to grow, the focus has shifted from physical rewards to more sustainable incentives. The first 50,000 participants with an approved pull request will have a tree planted in their name, and everyone who completes four pull requests will receive a digital reward pack.
What is Open Source, and why should I contribute to it?
Open-source projects are essential to the modern internet, maintained by a global community of coders. These projects—like Linux, WordPress and Firefox—are freely available for anyone to use, modify and distribute, offering the flexibility to adapt software to specific needs. Open source also fosters a culture of sharing resources and knowledge, where contributors collaborate and learn from each other—something scarce in today’s society. Where else do you see people freely sharing such valuable information and resources without expecting anything in return?
By contributing to open source, you can help improve tools that millions rely on daily or support smaller projects that solve niche problems or drive innovation in specific areas. Hacktoberfest is a great way to get started in this community and make your first contributions, and beyond a doubt, it’s a fantastic way to learn how to code.
Contribute to Hacktoberfest and win awesome prizes
To celebrate Hacktoberfest 2024, Massed Compute is hosting a special contest where you can win FREE compute credits!
These credits allow you to access cloud-based GPUs—powerful processors designed for tasks like AI and data analysis. If you’re looking to experiment with compute-intensive projects, these credits are incredibly valuable, giving you the power to run complex models and simulations or create your own LLM.
Join the fun by creating GenAI Halloween-inspired content and take advantage of a 10% discount on any GPU reservation with the code GenAIHacktober24. Compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes in three different categories and win up to $100 in compute credits.
I’m a total beginner! Where do I start?
Starting with open source can be daunting, but Hacktoberfest is designed to make it easier for you. The community is here to support you every step of the way, whether you’re submitting your first pull request or contributing to a project in a non-code capacity.
Look for issues tagged ‘good first issue’ or ‘hacktoberfest’ on GitHub—these are specifically chosen to be beginner-friendly.
And don’t worry if you’re not comfortable with coding yet. There are plenty of other ways to contribute, such as improving documentation, designing new logos, or enhancing a project’s user interface. Every contribution counts and helps the open-source community thrive!
What’s GitHub? What’s a Pull Request?
A pull request (PR) is a way for you to propose changes to a project, which the project’s maintainers can then review and merge into the main codebase. If you’ve never done this before, Hacktoberfest provides a step-by-step video guide to walk you through the process. It’s a great resource for first-timers, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to make your contribution.
How to participate in Hacktoberfest 2024
- Register on Hacktoberfest.com: Start by signing up on the Hacktoberfest website.
- Find projects to contribute to: You’ll need to submit four pull requests to public GitHub repositories to participate and get the prize. Choose projects that align with your interests—there will be plenty to choose from!
- Clone the repo onto your GitHub account and local machine: Once you find the project you want to work on, fork the repository to create your own copy, and then download it to your local machine using a command-line interface.
- Read the code and suggest changes: Take time to understand the code before making changes. Use ‘git add’ to track your modifications and ‘git status’ to review them.
- Commit your change: Use ‘git commit’ to save your changes, along with a message that explains what you’ve done. This helps others understand your contribution.
- Push your changes to the GitHub Repo: Upload your changes using ‘git push’, which updates the repository on your GitHub account.
- Create a pull request: On GitHub, click the pull request button, review your changes, and submit your PR for the maintainers to review.
Hacktoberfest Resources You Should Know About
If you’re a total beginner, check out the Hacktoberfest YouTube playlist by DigitalOcean and join the Hacktoberfest community on Discord. Here are some key channels to get you started:
- #contributing: Learn how to contribute and get started with Hacktoberfest.
- #support: If you get stuck, this is where to ask for help.
- #chat: Connect with other Hacktoberfest participants and share your experiences.
Where can I get a Hacktober t-shirt?
As Hacktoberfest has grown in popularity, the logistics of shipping t-shirts worldwide have become increasingly challenging and costly. In response, the event has shifted towards more sustainable rewards, like planting trees in participants’ names, to ensure the event remains inclusive and environmentally conscious.
Explore the Possibilities of AI with Massed Compute
For those of you who have experimented with AI tools like Chat GPT and see the potential for GenAI to enhance your work, Massed Compute is the perfect platform to take your next steps. Whether you’re interested in building custom AI models, experimenting without the high costs, or ensuring smooth integration with your existing systems, Massed Compute offers a user-friendly, affordable solution. With flexible plans that scale to your needs and a strong emphasis on data security, Massed Compute empowers you to bring your AI ideas to life, even if you’re just getting started. Check out our offerings.
