I am an Ubuntu user (since Jaunty) and also a programmer (by hobby - no formal education). I found the community on Ubuntu Forums extremely helpful and so started to return the favour and never stopped :)
I am currently involved with the development of the following FOSS projects:
- DMedia - a distributed media library, to be used by the Novacut video editor. (IRC: #novacut)
- LaVida - a simulation game for Linux. (IRC: #lavida)
Both of these projects actively welcome new contributors so feel free to help out. If you are interested but don't know where to start feel free to contact me.