![](http://web.archive.org./web/20190228174925im_/https://www-dev.opensource.org/files/CommunityCollab.png)
The open source community is diverse and highly motivated. We're sure you'll be able to find someone who can help you (or that you can help) no matter what your interests are.
Whether it's development or advocacy, open-source software and other collaborative projects benefit through, and because of, community. Unlike with traditional projects that require physical resources, sharing economies are generally only hindered by the number of people contributing to an effort and their ability to aquire and share knowledge.
This is where and how the OSI helps open communities of practice. Our work focuses on creating and amplifying the network effect, where collaborative use actually enriches resources and the organizations that adopt them.
Our development efforts generate resources for collaborative organizations, to help create and maintain communication within and among open source projects; motivate and efficiency organize groups of remote individuals, and; cultivate an open ethos where the principles and practices of open source can foster collaboration co-creation and community.
We want your open source software project, and the community that supports it, to thrive. The success of an open source initiative depends on: raising awareness and adoption of your project; keeping your forums alive with information, questions and challenges; organizing real-life events for distributed communities, and; extending the understanding—and value—of open source software and development models, all toward on a common goal.
We can help, we want to help, and we will help, please ask us how.
Community Support
Questions, answers, mailing lists, live chat and more: Whether you're an open source advocate who wants to spread the word about the benefits of open source, a software developer looking for tips or tools, an entrepreneur with a start-up or business leader transforming your company, we have resources to help.
FAQ
Ask the OSI
IRC (Live Chat)
You're not the first to come to us looking for answers. Look over the most common questions we get... maybe your answer is there.
Have a question about The Open Source Initiative?
Get an answer here!
Join us on IRC at freenode.net. The #osi channel is for user support and general discussion.
Documentation
Mailing Lists
Get Social
Almost everything is on our wiki, including work from various teams. A lot of information can be obtained there.
We have many global and regional mailing lists, for announcements, discussion, licensing and other topics. You can also read mailing lists on the web via Mailman.