Open Source communities often seem to have their own unwritten rules of operation and communication, their own jargon and their own etiquette, which sometimes make them appear obscure and closed to outsiders. In this talk, we'll provide recommendations on how to get touch with, and how to join, Open Source communities. Based on ten years of experience in various Open Source projects, we will provide practical information on how to communicate effectively on mailing lists, how to formulate questions in an effective way, how to contribute in ways that add value to the project, and generally how to interact with Open Source communities in ways that are mutually beneficial. This talk will help Open Source beginners get closer to the communities that matter to them, and help more experienced community members understand how to welcome and guide newcomers.