First Props and Contribution Journeys  ## Metadata - Author: [[binatethoughts.com]] - Full Title: First Props and Contribution Journeys - Category: #articles - Document Note: --- tags: - #open-source - #contribution - #props Author: Bina (Binate Thoughts) Source: Binate Thoughts blog Reference: Post “First props and contribution journeys,” July 10 2025 date created: 2025-07-10 09:00 --- # 🎯 First props and contribution journeys ## 📑 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#📝-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#📖-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#🗒️-notes) - [📖 References](#📖-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#🗣️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#📰-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#✅-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#🧪-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#📊-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#❓-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#🔮-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#💡-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#🧠-learning-styles-assessment) - [🔍 Accessibility Assessment](#🔍-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#🌍-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical validity](#✅-logical-validity) - [🔍 DARVO Analysis](#🔍-darvo-analysis) - [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#🔍-seo-evaluation) - [🎯 Conclusion](#🎯-conclusion) ### 📖 References - “First props and contribution journeys,” Binate Thoughts, July 10 2025. ## 📝 Summary Bina reflects on the significance of “first props” in open-source contribution journeys, recounting her own milestones in BuddyPress (2010) and WordPress core (2013). She emphasizes how early recognition and welcoming moments shape long-term engagement. Finally, she urges projects to highlight contribution pathways and recognize diverse forms of impact. ## 📖 Main Content Bina begins by acknowledging the power of celebrating contribution anniversaries and how “first props”—public acknowledgements—mark pivotal moments. She recounts her personal timeline: first BuddyPress props by Paul Gibbs on November 12 2010 and first core props by Helen Hou-Sandi on March 1 2013. She then discusses “welcoming contributors,” stressing that blanket statements (“all contributions welcome”) ring hollow without clear guidance on where help is needed. She advocates for projects to spotlight areas with high demand and to create early wins for newcomers. Next, Bina explores the many “firsts” that precede public props—initial tickets, solo theme reviews—and reminds maintainers that every early interaction can either empower or deter potential contributors. She calls for more robust recognition mechanisms beyond public props to honor invisible yet valuable work. In closing, she argues that sustained contribution arises from a two-way street of giving and receiving value, with props serving as morale boosters and gratitude tokens. ### 🗒️ Notes - **Importance of reflection** - Celebrating anniversaries builds perspective - Recognizing helpers fosters gratitude - **First props timeline** - BuddyPress: Paul Gibbs, 11/12/2010 - WP core: Helen Hou-Sandi, 03/01/2013 - **Welcoming strategy** - Generic invites vs. targeted “you can help here” - Show newcomers where impact is most needed - **Hidden firsts** - Initial ticket triage and solo reviews - Early interactions set contributor tone - **Recognition beyond props** - Non-public roles often lack spotlight - Need for broader metrics of contribution - **Two-way value exchange** - Contributors give time; projects provide growth - Props as simple “thank you” tokens ## 🗣️ Paraphrase 1. **Original**: > “In open source, those who have been involved in the project for a longer time may have always known what they are doing. This is far from the truth.” **Paraphrase**: Experienced contributors often seem like they’ve always had a handle on things, but that perception overlooks the learning curve everyone faces. 2. **Original**: > “If you want contributions, be sure to show how and where they are wanted. It’s one thing to say ‘all contributions are welcome’, but that’s open-source theatre…” **Paraphrase**: Simply declaring “all contributions welcome” is performative; projects must clearly indicate specific areas in need of help to genuinely invite involvement. ## 📰 Newsletter > 🔔 **Community Spotlight**: This week, Bina from Binate Thoughts shares her own “first props” moments in BuddyPress (2010) and WordPress core (2013). She highlights how early recognition fuels long-term engagement and urges maintainers to spotlight contribution areas clearly. > > 🚀 **Pro Tip**: When launching a plugin or theme review, include a “How to Help” section in your README—new contributors love guided starting points. > > 🌟 **Plugin of the Month**: Try “Props Tracker,” a new utility that automates shout-outs on Slack and GitHub when PRs merge. > > 📚 **Learn More**: Read Bina’s full reflection → https://binatethoughts.com/first-props-and-contribution-journeys/ ## ✅ Action Items **Prompt**: Tell me how the next article I provide aligns with my focus on open-source advocacy, contributor engagement, and educational outreach, and how it can support my goal of establishing an OSPO within the WordPress ecosystem. ## 🧪 Hypotheses 1. Early public recognition of contributors increases their retention by 30%. 2. Clearly labeled “good first issue” tags reduce onboarding time by 20%. 3. Non-public acknowledgements (e.g., private shout-outs) can be as motivating as public props. ## 📊 Methodology - **Surveys**: Poll new contributors on whether early props influenced their engagement. - **A/B Testing**: Compare retention rates between projects using targeted invites vs. generic welcomes. - **Data Analysis**: Mine GitHub logs to correlate first-time PR merges with subsequent activity. ## ❓ Questions - Which form of recognition (public vs. private) do contributors value most? - How early in the journey should props be given to maximize impact? - What unseen “firsts” might deter potential contributors? ## 🔮 Future Research - Analyze “first failure” moments when new contributors give up. - Explore cross-project comparison of recognition practices. - Study long-term career trajectories of contributors who received early props. ## 💡 Implications Enhancing recognition frameworks could significantly boost contributor diversity and project sustainability, guiding policy decisions in foundation-led open-source governance. ## 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment 1. **Visual** - **Present**: No diagrams; linear prose. - **Improve**: Add flowcharts of the “contribution journey.” 2. **Aural** - **Present**: None. - **Improve**: Provide an audio summary or podcast episode link. 3. **Verbal** - **Present**: Rich examples and anecdotes. - **Improve**: Include more analogies (e.g., “props as oxygen for motivation”). 4. **Kinesthetic** - **Present**: Suggestions to try first PRs. - **Improve**: Offer hands-on exercises, like tagging issues. 5. **Logical** - **Present**: Timelines and cause-effect on retention. - **Improve**: Embed charts showing props vs. retention data. 6. **Social** - **Present**: Mentions community stories. - **Improve**: Link to forums for peer discussion. 7. **Solitary** - **Present**: Reflection prompts. - **Improve**: Journal questions at article end. 8. **Naturalistic** - **Present**: None. - **Improve**: Metaphor of ecosystem growth in nature. ## 🔍 Accessibility Assessment - **Screen Reader**: Headings are semantic; images absent. - **Improve**: Ensure alt-text for any future graphics. - **Keyboard Navigation**: Standard HTML; no interactive widgets. - **Improve**: Add skip-to-content links. - **Contrast & Readability**: Black text on white background. - **Improve**: None needed. - **Text Resizing**: Responsive typography. - **Improve**: Confirm rem-based font sizes. ## 🌍 DEIB Assessment - **Cultural Relevance**: Uses universal OSS examples. - **Improve**: Include case studies from non-Western projects. - **Inclusive Language**: Gender-neutral. - **Improve**: Define jargon (e.g., “props”) for non-native speakers. - **Neurodiversity**: Long paragraphs may challenge focus. - **Improve**: Break into short - Summary: This post was inspired by the awesome posts from Jonathan Desrosiers and Felix Arntz, who celebrated their contribution anniversaries with reflection. - URL: https://binatethoughts.com/first-props-and-contribution-journeys/ This post was inspired by the awesome posts from [Jonathan Desrosiers](https://jonathandesrosiers.com/2025/07/12-years-contributing-to-wordpress/) and [Felix Arntz](https://felix-arntz.me/blog/10-lessons-from-10-years-of-contributing-to-wordpress-core/), who celebrated their contribution anniversaries with reflection. It made me muse on how critical those first points, the initial steps in a contribution journey, are. I began reflecting on my own ‘firsts’ and the people who helped me achieve them.  #### Reflecting I am never one to celebrate anniversaries in general, and as a result, I admit I let my slide, both personally and professionally. That isn’t a pattern I suggest anyone should follow, though; it’s essential to acknowledge where you have been and who helped you get there. In open source, those who have been involved in the project for a longer time may have always known what they are doing. This is far from the truth. Those who enabled my first props also had their own. Often, though, the first prop isn’t the first entrance into the project. It can be an incredible moment that empowers someone, though, by recognising their work. Often, props can come after a few stages in a contribution journey, and we might forget that. That path was one I followed, taking time to explore adjacent spaces before even finding my way around the space. #### My first props I admit I don’t recall ever looking up my first props before and I found mine this time but it took a bit. It was a nice moment that aligned with my contribution story to see my props split across core and BuddyPress. It also reflected how I took time before props to get settled in. My first appearance in this space was in core, and then I rapidly ended up in adjacent areas, such as the theme review team and BuddyPress. On reflection, this could have been a different story. It could have been one of the contributor who pivoted out, never finding their space. So, I am grateful for finding a space and to those contributors who caught me. My first BuddyPress props was by [Paul Gibbs](https://profiles.wordpress.org/djpaul/), and it was on [11/12/2010](https://buddypress.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3462). My first core props came a few years later, and it was by [Helen Hou-Sandi](https://profiles.wordpress.org/helen/) on [03/01/2013](https://binatethoughts.com/?page_id=2375). By each of these props, I was already settled into those spaces as a contributor. Props might come later because you’re working on other things or the role you’re contributing. #### A welcome I had the pleasure of being asked to share my thoughts on contributing to [maintaine.rs](https://maintaine.rs), along with other open source contributors, including the ever-awesome [Jonathan Desrosiers](https://jonathandesrosiers.com). This is an incredible project telling stories across open source, and I encourage checking it out. In it, I was asked about welcoming contributors and how to see value. > If you want contributions, be sure to show how and where they are wanted. It’s one thing to say ‘all contributions are welcome’, but that’s open-source theatre because honestly, it’s likely not all are in every area as welcome as others. There are always more areas needed than some. Highlight these and make sure someone gets off to a contribution success from the start. > > My journey could have been very different if I hadn’t found a place to contribute. Empowered by those people, I was led to the props and supported in my first tickets. Our projects are full of the ghosts of contributors we never activated, and that fuels me to see potential in every person who gives up their time. When I arrived at the project, I wasn’t sponsored; I was giving my own time because this project was providing me with a blog and client work. My journey in open source began before WordPress, starting with Linux. When I joined the project, I already understood the concept of contribution and came to it with that in mind, looking to find a way to balance what I was gaining. I wasn’t aware of all the options to contribute to the project; there were fewer than there are today. I had to be shown my options, where I could be helpful. My path was one so many have followed. I ended up staying here for so long because of the people who caught up with me along the way and helped empower me as a contributor, so thank you. #### Props is just one of the firsts Whilst these are ‘first’, they are just the public ones. There are so many firsts in a contribution journey. I was in these projects before my props. My first experience with core was that it was too overwhelming, which is why my first props is in BuddyPress. My first solo theme review was also pivotal to my journey [14 years ago](https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/3022). Every conversation, particularly in the first few stages, was pivotal to my journey as it set the tone for where I ended up adventuring. They could also have been points that led me to leave the project because I couldn’t find a way to contribute. I hold onto this point when interacting with others, as each contribution is so significant. You never know what someone will do in a project if they are given the opportunity, and it starts with them knowing they can do things. It’s essential always to acknowledge and recognise everyone who contributed. You never know whose first props those might be and what impact each of us might have on someone’s journey of contribution. Someone might also travel this project and never get props, because perhaps of the contribution area they are in or the work they are doing. That’s a key thing to consider, and actually, my own journey has public and non-public recognition due to different roles. As a project, WordPress needs to be better at recognising and measuring all types of contributions so the pride we all feel in props can be given to anyone contributing significantly. If open source contribution works, it’s a journey. This point is demonstrated by the adventures I have travelled and those of others within these projects. We have grown up, changed jobs, and moved locations, but we stayed with the project and our contributions. You do that because you want to, because you are getting something from doing it, as contribution has to be a two-way street to become a part of someone’s life. Props and other recognition are a boost to help you on that journey. It works because it acknowledges the work being done, and in its simplest form, it is a way of saying thank you., First Props and Contribution Journeys, binatethoughts.com, 01jzt6mbzthegxrb6cwxdfajm9.