Contributing to netbeans.org

As you're probably aware, NetBeans is an open source project. That means that while companies may make commercial products out of what's here, it is primarily community-driven. What that means is that, for example, if you can contribute knowledge that helps someone else out, you end up benefitting. If it's bug reports or enhancement requests, everyone benefits by having better tools when the fixes or enhancements are implemented. In essence, when it comes to NetBeans, you are in the driver's seat - without people using the software, there wouldn't be a reason for any of this.

Here are some of the ways you can contribute to the NetBeans community, which reap their own rewards. There are many ways to help the project without actually contributing code!

Community Support, Promotion

• Participate on Mailing Lists
  There are several mailing lists and newsgroups at netbeans.org, where people using the software can benefit from each others' expertise. To really be useful, the lists need your input! Please don't be afraid to post - help others when you can!
• Link to NetBeans
  Add a small NetBeans icon to your site, and link to netbeans.org. If you're interested you can also sign up for the Move the Needle programme, to track how many visitors you are sending this way.
• Promote NetBeans!
  If you're a NetBeans user, speak out! There's a lot of competition out there, and many developers haven't heard of NetBeans, or worse, have heard of it but have misconceptions, or haven't heard about recent improvements. Help spread the word - talk about NetBeans strenghts, and weaknesses, on industry mailing lists and forums.

Submit Content, Translations

• Contribute Website Content
  New content or updates to existing content are always welcome! Articles like FAQs and HOWTOs are very very helpful, as are screenshots. See the following links for more info : Contributing HTML for netbeans.org, contributing screenshots.
• Translations, Localisations
  Are you interested in efforts to localise web site content, or the IDE itself, in your native language? We'd love your help! See the Localisation Quick Start page for info.
• Edit the Newsletter, Submit Stories for The Edge
  The weekly NetBeans Newsletter is put together by volunteers involved in NetBeans - if you're following current events on the mailing lists you could edit a newsletter! The monthly Edge newsletter is always looking for contributing authors to write interviews, articles, partner spotlights ... if you'd like to submit a story, please .

Submit Bug Reports, Write Code

• File a Bug Report
  Bug reports are very helpful to developers, and a great way to contribute to the project! Remember to take a little time when filing a bug report - make sure you can reproduce the problem, and be very explicit in your description.
• File an Enhancement Request
  If there's something you'd like to see in the IDE and don't, or something you can imagine improving, let us know! Enhancement requests should be filed in the issue tracking system, the same as for bugs.
• Contributing Code
  As mentioned above, NetBeans is an open-source project - all of the source code is available, and if there's a feature you'd like to see, or a bug you'd like to see fixed, you have the power to make that happen. See the sections on contributing patches and contributing modules for more information.