I will almost guarantee that you’ve been the beneficiary of a technology community. Whether it was someone answering a question you posted on StackOverflow.com, a blog post that taught you a new technique, or a YouTube video that finally cleared up your confusion about a technology, communities have been there for all of us. But to have a truly successful technology career, you’ve got to do more than just consume what a community has to offer; you have to be part of it.
When I use the phrase technology community, I’m referring to a group of people—often spread across the globe—who come together in a set of shared spaces, both physical and online. They share information, develop professional relationships, and support each other. Many technology communities are difficult to see, because they don’t create a dedicated “About Us” website for themselves. Instead, they exist somewhat ephemerally, their activities spread across numerous online and in-person forums.