What are Open-Source Happiness Packets?
People are generally much more loved than we think we are. But while it's easy for many to complain when they don't like something, we're often fairly silent when things are good. Open-source communities are no different, especially when our main communication channels are textual and virtual.
However, the feeling that you made a difference, that your work matters and has value, and that the people you work with are happy to work with you, is an awesome and important feeling. With Open-Source Happiness Packets, we're trying to spread that feeling.
How does it work?
Openly expressing appreciation, gratitude, or happiness to other people can be difficult. This is especially true when you don't know them very well. Many of us come from cultures in which people are not open by default about such feelings, and naturally feel uncomfortable or even creepy to share them.
Open-Source Happiness Packets is a very simple platform to anonymously reach out to the people that you appreciate or to whom you are thankful in your open-source community. Your message can be sent anonymously if you feel uncomfortable to share your name with the recipient. Of course, we encourage you to share your name, but it's completely optional!
Happiness Archive
If both the sender and the recipient agree, we can publish the Happiness Packet on the website. With this, we're building an archive of open-source happiness that people and communities can use to draw inspiration.
As an example, here are two random messages from our archive:
From Phil Alive to Himself
Hey Phil,
Live for the pursuit of happyness! Y not!
Anonymous message
I remember when I first found out about you in the community and I was so interested to see the things you were helping organize and drive forward. After learning more, I discovered all of the dedication you put forth into your own local community. It's hard not to be inspired! Especially seeing you travel to conferences and give talks about how to bring more women into FOSS and why diversity is important. You are truly remarkable and accomplished – I'm happy that I found out about you and the Albanian community!
Beyond that, I never imagined I would get a chance to meet you in person. I'm happy that I did, and I have many good memories to thank you for. Without a doubt, you're one of the people who have impacted my own experience in open source considerably, and I'm glad to call you my friend. I look forward to whenever the next chance we will get to meet once more!