Brian Proffitt

We all recognize that metrics are key to measuring community health. And that quantitative data is a key to these metrics. But, as Brian Proffitt will describe in this talk, all the data in the world won't help you find answers if you don't know what the questions are.

We all recognize that metrics are key to measuring community health. And that quantitative data is a key to these metrics. But, as Brian Proffitt will describe in this talk, all the data in the world won't help you find answers if you don't know what the questions are. Brian will walk attendees through what happens when pretty data can distract from the real purpose of metrics, and how his team course-corrected to seek out the questions before the answers.

In a world of constant news cycles, getting the word out about your project seems nearly impossible. You've got a web site, a Twitter and a Diaspora account, and still it seems like no one is showing up at your virtual doorstop. But there is one old-school toolset at your disposal that can help you and your project be recognized for the awesome you know it to be: the media.

In a world of constant news cycles, getting the word out about your project seems nearly impossible. You've got a web site, a Twitter and a Diaspora account, and still it seems like no one is showing up at your virtual doorstop. But there is one old-school toolset at your disposal that can help you and your project be recognized for the awesome you know it to be: the media.

There's a whole industry of people out there who are looking for stories to tell about the new and the innovative. You just have to know how to cultivate relationships and tell your stories in a way that will make your project interesting to more people. Brian Proffitt, a journalist and editor with over a quarter century of experience, will walk you through techniques to get your story out, including crafting a press release, targeting media outlets, and building trustworthy relationships with journalists (yes, it can be done).

Topics List:

• Targeting media outlets
• Writing your own press releases
• Becoming a knowledge expert
• Working with the press

In this presentation, Brian Proffitt will explain best practices for being a good community mentor, setting up scope-appropriate projects, and troubleshooting when things start going off the plan.

Google's Summer of Code, Mozilla's Winter of Security, and Outreachy... all fantastic open source mentoring programs for up-and-coming developers, just to name a few. But participating in these projects is more than just tossing in some candidates for a small sub-project you've got going on and letting them do all the work. To get a real benefit for your interns and your project, positive, active mentoring must take place.

Mentoring is a complex exercise for both the mentors and the mentored. It's not "management"--it's guidance. It's setting the mentored on a path that will not only solve a specific problem but share information and knowledge gained by the mentor over years of experience. In this presentation, Brian Proffitt will explain best practices for being a good mentor, setting up scope-appropriate projects, and troubleshooting when things start going off the plan.