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Foreword
These kinds of accomplishments aren’t the work of one person, or even a small team.
The number of people who have contributed to Dojo’s evolution, believed in the
project, and worked together to deliver a better Web are too numerous to mention.
We copied what we thought were the best bits of the structures of other projects, and
the result has been a level playing field and rules that are fair to users, contributors,
and sponsors alike. Dojo is proof that open source isn’t just a handy distribution
model for closed systems, but that collaborative, open projects can thrive when they
adopt policies that let users trust a project and when those inside the project finds
ways to trust each other. For all of the technical achievements embodied in the tool-
kit, I’m most proud that we’ve done it in the open, with anyone who will join us, and
done it honestly. We set out to build a project that values all kinds of contributions,
not just code. A project that would help change the tone of open source develop-
ment to encourage collegial, civil discourse. A project dedicated to building with the
community and not to treat users as “them.” “They” are “us” and this book makes
plain the open philosophy under which the toolkit was built, and by which we
encourage all those reading it to help us evolve it for the future.
By the time I met Matthew Russell face-to-face, this book was nearly “in the can.”
Open source is funny like that—you can work for years with someone, yet the pieces
picked up over mailing lists and IRC don’t fall into place until you’re talking about
the mundane and thrilling over a good local ale (or, in a pinch, Guinness). It wasn’t
until Matthew and I were comparing notes in an old, small, quiet pub in San Fran-
cisco’s North Beach district that it clicked: his technical depth, curiosity, and ability
to meet you on your level are the hallmarks of a great teacher. As I reviewed the draft
chapters in turn, I found myself constantly deleting what I’d just written by way of
critique as Matthew laid out the concepts in just the right order. Matthew’s illumina-
tions make Dojo approachable, friendly, and productive. The constant delight of dis-
covery that glows so brightly when you talk to Matthew in person are a true gift to
this volume.
It has been like this for me for nearly four years now as I’ve had the chance to put
faces to the IRC handles and forum posts. In open source, each person enters your
world as a technical problem to be solved, a bug to be fixed, or a feature to be con-
sidered. Only later is the full measure of the people you’re working with made plain,
and it’s nearly always a breathtaking revelation. The kindness, selfless effort, and tal-
ent that are freely given are humbling particularly in light of the personal sacrifices
that each person makes to be a part of the project. Matthew’s book is a credit to the
amazing team I’ve had the honor to work with.
I can’t say that I recommend dropping out of college to work on things that no one
will pay you for, but if that fire starts in your brain, don’t ignore it. If it leads you to
people only half as wonderful as those I’ve met and now count among my friends, it
will be worth every sleepless night.
—Alex Russell
Cofounder, Dojo Toolkit, and Dojo Foundation
President