01237nas a2200121   4500008004100000022001400041245003600055210003200091260004200123520089800165100001601063856003601079       2009                        eng d  a1913-610200aThe Human Factor in Open Source0 aHuman Factor in Open Source  aOttawabTalent First Networkc06/20093 aIt is easy to focus on the purely technical side of engineering: design, coding, documentation, licensing issues, and the release process. The interpersonal aspects of engineering also have a vital part to play. An important and frequently overlooked part of the successful free/libre and open source enterprise are the soft skills of communication, administration, and relationship building.

Google uses, creates and supports open source software both as the raw material of code, and as a development model. My work in the Open Source Programs Office at Google as one member of a three person Outreach team is almost entirely about the mechanics of building good relations between the F/LOSS community at large and Google. This article describes our day-to-day tasks which are variously focused on student programs, external communications, event management, and financial administration.1 aAllman, Cat  uhttp://timreview.ca/article/257