October is a month of vibrant colors, crisp air, and for the tech community, it indicates the much-anticipated Hacktoberfest, a global festival celebrating the open-source ecosystem. As we’ve always been ardent supporters of the open-source community at Apptension, this year we’re joining the festival! 

And, in this blog post, we’d like to delve into the heart of Hacktoberfest, exploring its core values, the global events that mark this festival, and how you can actively participate and make the most of this enriching experience. So, whether you are a veteran developer or just starting your journey in the open-source world, read on to discover the myriad opportunities that Hacktoberfest 2023 has in store for you.

What is Hacktoberfest?  

For a remarkable decade, DigitalOcean has spearheaded the annual Hacktoberfest event, a global initiative that encourages individuals to contribute to open-source projects throughout the month of October. This festival is not just about code; it's a celebration of the open-source community, a space where both coders and non-coders converge to give back to the projects that fuel modern tech infrastructure, including some of DigitalOcean's own products.

At its core, Hacktoberfest is a tribute to the passionate individuals who tirelessly work to keep open-source projects alive, often with limited resources. It's a platform to hone skills, foster collaboration, and appreciate the vibrant community that breathes life into open-source initiatives.

Why did Apptension decide to participate? 

As a software development company deeply entrenched in the open-source ecosystem, we resonate with Hacktoberfest's mission. Our journey has been shaped significantly by open-source projects, and we are eager to give back to the community that has given us so much as well. 

Our very own SaaS Boilerplate is a testament of our commitment to open source. It’s a developer's starter kit designed to speed up the development of SaaS products, thereby fostering a more efficient and collaborative development environment.

Another feather in our cap is the Tech Radar, a dynamic tool that showcases all the technologies, methods, and tools utilized at Apptension. This transparent publication, available on our website, not only allows potential clients to gauge our expertise and delve deeper into our projects but also empowers others to use the code to exhibit their tech stacks, fostering a community of shared knowledge and collaborative growth.

That’s why our vision aligns seamlessly with the spirit of Hacktoberfest. This festival offers a golden opportunity to not only enhance our skills but also to collaborate with a global network of enthusiasts and professionals, thereby nurturing the open-source projects that are the backbone of the tech industry today.

How You Can Participate 

As we gear up to explore the collaborative and vibrant world of Hacktoberfest, we want to ensure that everyone interested has all the information they need to participate actively and make the most of this remarkable event. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting your journey in the open-source community, Hacktoberfest has something to offer you. Below, we break down the core values of the festival, the participation details, and the resources available to help you get started:

Core Values

The festival champions diversity, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and with varying skill levels to foster a rich and inclusive community. While encouraging active participation, Hacktoberfest emphasizes the importance of making quality contributions to open-source projects, so make sure not only to take from the community, but bring in your own value.       Remember, your efforts during this period have the potential to shape the technological landscape for years to come, illustrating the enduring impact of collaborative open-source work.

Participation Details

As we navigate the vibrant landscape of Hacktoberfest, it is essential to understand how you can immerse yourself fully in this global celebration of open-source collaboration. Below, we outline the key details that will guide you in registering, contributing, and earning rewards during this enriching festival.

When to register: Hacktoberfest registrations are open between September 26 and October 31.

‍Contributions: You can make pull requests in any GitHub or GitLab hosted project that is part of Hacktoberfest — just keep an eye out for the “hacktoberfest” topic tag.

Low- or no-code contributions: are accepted and even welcomed at Hacktoberfest – it’s an excellent way to get involved in supporting open source, according to organizers themselves. Some of the possible contributions of this type include: technical documentation, user experience testing, technical blog posts or tutorials, or case studies.

Rewards: Earn recognition for your contributions! The first 50,000 participants with an accepted pull/merge request will have a tree planted in their name, and those achieving four accepted requests from October 1-31 will receive a unique digital reward.

Resources for Beginners

If the world of open-source is new to you, don't worry. The Hacktoberfest website is packed with resources to guide beginners, helping you to start your open-source journey on the right foot. 

All the materials related to participation can be found here. 

The Events 

As we immerse ourselves in the spirit of Hacktoberfest, we are thrilled to remind you that the festival is celebrated globally, with events happening round the clock throughout the entire month of October. This gives you the incredible opportunity to collaborate with friends and fellow enthusiasts at any time that suits you, working together to complete your pull/merge requests.

Whether you are planning to attend an in-person meetup, a virtual gathering, or a hybrid event that combines the best of both worlds, we encourage you to share it with the broader community. You have the freedom to either join existing events or take the initiative to plan your own, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared learning.

For those stepping into the role of organizers, rest assured that Hacktoberfest provides comprehensive guidelines to assist you in planning and hosting a successful event. To facilitate this, register for a Major League Hacking account and start setting up your Hacktoberfest event today. It's a wonderful way to engage with the community, share knowledge, and work together towards achieving your Hacktoberfest goals.

Connect on Discord

To further enhance your Hacktoberfest experience, all participants are invited to join the official Hacktoberfest Discord server. This platform serves as a vibrant hub for participants from around the world to communicate, share projects, and receive feedback from peers.

In addition to the Hacktoberfest server, we are excited to share that our team also hosts a dedicated Discord server focused on SaaS & Tech. It's a space where you can connect with our team and fellow enthusiasts, discuss the latest trends, and delve deeper into the world of SaaS. We invite you to join and enrich the conversation with your insights and experiences.

Join Apptension on Hacktoberfest 2023! 

As we stand on the cusp of Hacktoberfest 2023, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. Over the past decade, Hacktoberfest has grown into a global phenomenon, a festival that embodies the spirit of collaboration, learning, and giving back to the open-source community. It's a time to celebrate the vibrant ecosystem that drives innovation and fosters a culture of shared knowledge and cooperation.

As we gear up to contribute and celebrate all things open-source, we invite you to join us in this journey. Register for the event, join the Discord servers, and let's work together to make Hacktoberfest 2023 a resounding success. Here's to a month of learning, collaboration, and growth!