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Guideline for Welcoming Beginners

For Project Managers:

  1. Create Beginner-Friendly Documentation:

  2. Ensure that there is clear and comprehensive documentation available for beginners. This should include installation instructions, setup guides, and an overview of the project structure.

  3. Label Issues Appropriately:

  4. Use labels "good first issue" to identify tasks suitable for beginners. This makes it easier for them to find a starting point.

  5. Provide Code Review and Feedback:

  6. Encourage experienced contributors to review and provide constructive feedback on code submitted by beginners. This helps them learn and improve their skills.

  7. Maintain a Helpful and Inclusive Environment:

  8. Foster a culture of kindness, patience, and inclusivity within the community. Encourage respectful communication and be mindful of diverse perspectives.

For Contributors:

  1. Be Patient and Supportive:

  2. When interacting with beginners, be patient and understanding. Remember that everyone starts somewhere, and your help can make a significant impact on their learning journey.

  3. Provide Clear Instructions:

  4. When explaining tasks or issues, provide step-by-step instructions and, if applicable, share relevant code snippets or examples.

  5. Encourage Exploration:

  6. Encourage beginners to explore the project's codebase and ask questions. This helps them gain a deeper understanding of the project's architecture.

  7. Review Pull Requests Thoroughly:

  8. When reviewing contributions from beginners, focus on providing constructive feedback rather than simply pointing out mistakes.

  9. Offer to Pair Program:

  10. If possible, offer to pair program with beginners on more complex tasks. This can be an excellent learning experience for them.

Text Snippets for Common Questions:

For Questions Regarding Installation

Dear [Contributor's Name],

Thank you for reaching out! To get started, please follow these installation instructions:

[Include specific installation steps or provide a link to the documentation.]

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, feel free to ask for help.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

For Questions About a Specific Issue

Hi [Contributor's Name],

Thank you for your interest in working on this issue! Here are the steps to get started:

1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]
...

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Happy coding!

Best regards,
[Your Name]

For First contribution or bug ticket

Subject: Welcome to OmegaT and Thank You for Your Report!

Dear [Beginner's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am  [select one from following]
 the OmegaT Project Manager
 the OmegaT documentation manager
 the OmegaT Localization manager
 a OmegaT developer
 a OmegaT user helping development

First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for
taking
the time to report the issue you encountered. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we appreciate your contribution to the project.

I understand that you're facing some difficulties, and I'm here to help guide you through the process. To ensure we address the issue effectively, I would like to request some additional information from you. This will help us understand the problem better and work towards a resolution.

Please provide the following details:

## Detailed Description of the Issue:

Please describe the problem you're experiencing in as much detail as possible.
Include any error messages or unexpected behavior you've observed.

## Steps to Reproduce:

  List the steps you followed when you encountered the issue. This will help us recreate the problem on our end.

  (For exmaple, 1. access "project" menu and click "Project Properties" menu item, then ...)

## Operating System and Environment:

  Specify the operating system you're using (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux) and any relevant environment details.

## Version of OmegaT:

  Let us know which version of our project you are using. If you're not sure, you can find this information in [relevant
   location].

## Screenshots or Code Snippets:

  If applicable, please attach screenshots or relevant code snippets that illustrate the issue.
  Once we receive this information, we will investigate the matter further and work towards a resolution. In the
  meantime, if you have any questions or need assistance with any other aspect of the project, please don't hesitate to
  reach out.

Thank you once again for your contribution to OmegaT. We greatly appreciate your involvement and look forward to working
 together to make this project even better.

Best regards,