Can you combine Open Source work with everyday job?

Novak says the people are what bring him back: he reconnects with colleagues and meets developers he knows from GitHub. He especially looked forward to talks about Hermes and enjoyed a Microsoft talk about behind-the-scenes work on RSocket and its supporting tools.

Novak maintains libraries including React Native Google Sign-In, DateTimePicker, DocumentPicker, and React Native Theme Control. He says he created some from scratch and often gets involved after encountering a problem, then investigates and fixes it out of curiosity.

Novak says combining open-source work with a full-time job is ideal when the job allows it; otherwise, it comes down to priorities. He recalls that working from 8 p.m. until midnight can make room for contributions, but says priorities may shift over time. He has had pull requests wait three or four months for review, though he tries to return to them and get them merged.

Novak adds that contributors need to manage their time. He jokes that he should have been in school during the interview and says he would return to class and do his homework.