DEV Community: Hellen Namulinda

Embracing Open Communication through GitHub Issue-Driven Development

Hellen Namulinda — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:32:53 +0000

Hello! Welcome to the second blog of my Open Source journey with Outreachy and Ersilia Open Source Initiative.If you haven't already, check out my first blog post about "Beginning my Journey into Open Source". In this blog, I want to share an important aspect that transformed the way I approach open-source development: GitHub Issues.

What are GitHub Issues?🚀

GitHub issues are a feature of the GitHub platform that allows users to track ideas, feedback, tasks, or bugs for work on GitHub.

The Fear of open communication😰

Before this open source journey, I held reservations about open communication. I feared judgment, criticism, or the perception of incompetence.
During the contribution phase of the Outreachy application process, I chose to work on the Ersilia Model Hub project. To my surprise, one of the assigned tasks was to "Open an issue" on the project's repository. 'Use this issue as your personal thread of the contribution period', the task described. I asked, are GitHub issues private? Unfortunately, they are not. Would opening an issue mean that everyone would be scrutinizing my work? I wondered. This approach was new to me.

Understanding GitHub Issues 🤔

As someone who associated issues with bug reports, I struggled to understand how they could foster open communication and collaboration.
One resource that helped me grasp the essence of GitHub Issue-Driven Development was the GitHub documentation on issue tracking. It provided a comprehensive overview of creating, managing, and utilizing issues effectively. Through this documentation, I learned that GitHub issues are not just meant for reporting bugs; they are a powerful tool for initiating discussions, sharing progress, seeking feedback, and managing project tasks📚.

Learning through Active Engagement

Additionally, I engaged with the project's repository, observing how other contributors and mentors utilized issues to communicate their progress and share challenges. With time, it became clear that GitHub Issues was not only a place to report problems but also a powerful tool for initiating discussions, tracking progress, sharing ideas, and managing project tasks. Through this experience, it became evident that open communication through issues is essential for effective collaboration within the open source community🤝.

Embracing Open Communication 💪

After being awarded an Outreachy intern position with Ersilia Model Hub, I knew I had to communicate more often. Commenting on issues isn't about exposing my vulnerabilities; it is an invitation to collaborate, gather feedback, and make it easier for my mentor to manage projects.
Although I still face moments of self-doubt, I'm continuously growing more comfortable and confident in expressing my thoughts and seeking help when needed. Every day presents new opportunities for personal and professional growth, and I am committed to honing my communication skills💬.

The Role of Core Values✨

“Just be yourself and stay true to your core values.” — Ben Quayle.

Throughout this transformative journey, my core values of learning, determination, and contribution played a significant role. The value of continuous learning motivated me to seek understanding and explore resources that demystified GitHub Issue-Driven Development. Determination empowered me to push past my initial reservations, overcome the fear of judgment, and engage in open communication.

To anyone joining open-source, Open-source communities thrive on collaboration and knowledge sharing. Asking questions and seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a testament to your dedication to learning and growth.

Beginning my Journey into Open Source with Outreachy

Hellen Namulinda — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 22:29:49 +0000

Hello! 👋 My name is Hellen Namulinda, and I'm a passionate AI enthusiast from Uganda with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a keen interest in Computational Pharmacology. I have extensive programming knowledge in Python and JavaScript, along with experience in research and developing machine learning models.

I recently got accepted as an Outreachy intern(Summer 2023) for Ersilia Open Source Initiative.
Outreachy is a program that provides internships in open source and open science to individuals subject to systemic bias and impacted by underrepresentation in the technical industry.

Discovering Outreachy

If you are in tech industry, there are alot of opportunities you get exposed to when you get involved in communities.
As a member of the Pyladies Kampala community, I connected with inspiring individuals who shared their experiences in the tech industry. It was through this community that I first learned about Outreachy and its goal to increase diversity in open source by promoting those who face under-representation and systemic bias in the tech industry. Learning about this opportunity was very interesting, especially for someone like me who has struggled to make it in a male dominated field.

The Application Process

The Outreachy application process consists of three phases. The first time I applied, I didn't get to the contibution phase. But I said to myself that I will try again and that I will give it my best.
When applications for the Summer 2023 cohort began, I eagerly applied. And yes, my initial application was approved. I was excited to move forward to the contribution phase. During this phase, I had the opportunity to engage with Ersilia Open Source Initiative and collaborate on their project of extending the Ersilia Model Hub. It was an enriching experience, as I had the chance to interact with project mentors who provided valuable guidance throughout the process. I submitted my final application, showcasing my progress and skills contribution to the project.

The Ersilia Model Hub Project

After a thorough selection process, I received the incredible news that I had been selected as an intern for Ersilia Open Source Initiative😊🙌. I will be working on extending the Ersilia Model Hub, a FOSS platform that offers pretrained AI/ML models for biomedical research. This platform equips universities, hospitals, and laboratories with vital data science tools for infectious and neglected disease research. I am excited to join a team that is making a positive impact in the field of global health and drug discovery by leveraging the power of AI and machine learning.

My Core Values

Some of the core values that drive my journey are;

Learning
In the ever-evolving tech industry, continuous learning is paramount. I am committed to expanding my knowledge and skills, and this internship offers a unique opportunity for me to dive deeper into open source development, AI, and data science.
Determination
Challenges are inevitable, but I approach them with unwavering determination and perseverance. I refuse to let any obstacles define my path or limit my potential. With a resilient mindset, I embrace every opportunity to develop my skills, tackle complex problems, and grow both personally and professionally.
Contribution
Contribution is at the heart of my journey in the technology industry. I am driven by the desire to make a positive impact and leverage my skills to create meaningful solutions. By collaborating with like-minded individuals and leveraging the power of technology, I strive to empower and inspire.

Guess what! It's the first week of Outreachy Internship which is running from May 29 to Aug 25. I had the privilege of meeting my mentor and the wonderful team at the Ersilia; so supportive👏. The support and guidance from my mentor and the project team has been invaluable in helping me get up to speed.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this far! Stay tuned as I share my progress, experiences, challenges, and triumphs throughout this journey.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter. Thank you! 😊👏

Updating node to the latest version

Hellen Namulinda — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 17:48:16 +0000

At times, when you install node using the command
sudo apt-get install nodejs, a lower version is installed.
E.g when you type
nodejs --version
It shows
0.10.26

Therefore, to update node to the latest stable version, use n module from npm. The following commands help.

sudo npm cache clean -f
sudo npm install -g n
sudo n stable