The Java Apache Project is composed by three main parts: this web site, the mail lists and the code repository. The web site is where information, news and documentation is hosted as well as all the subprojects are glued together. The mail lists are the virtual rooms where subscribers talk, sharing ideas, comments and suggestions. The code repository is the centralized code database where all the work is done and shared by the active developers.

Everyone is free to contribute to the project in every possible way, writing code, writing docs, making suggestions, reporting bugs, donating graphics, advertising spaces on web sites or other resources such as bandwidth, time, patience and wisdom. We feel that every contribution is equally important and credits are given for all of these contributions.

The first contribution you make is your own presence. To do this you have to subscribe to one (or more) mail lists. Before you subscribe to any mail list, you should go over the documentation section and read the documents listed there. At least a basic knowledge of those documents is required in order to fit into the development processes of this project.

One more thing: you don't need to be a Java guru to participate to this project: the mail lists are a good place for learning from other more experienced users and become better programmers.