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if you don't have open-source code, I tend to assume you don't do much programming in your free time

That is too general. Most stuff I've done in my free time (when I still used it for coding) isn't publicly available anywhere for a number of reasons ranging from 'it's too bad' over 'it's only useful for me' over 'this piece of code is none of your business' to 'parts of this code are reused in a daytime job where the contract requires me not open-sourcing it'. And I am sure I'm not alone with some of these reasons.

And if you don't program in your free time, how are you going to become a really strong developer

This is, almost, an insult to me and lots of others with me. I have plenty of skills and none of them came from free time programming. Like the guy I learned the basics from and still go to for serious problems: he never writes any code in his free time yet he's a guru probably better than me and you combined :] I admit this depends a lot on the type of job me and he have: we can basically learn as much as we want during work hours, and after all learning is one of the key aspects that make a stromg developper. So sure if your job doesn't allow this you can gain from spending some free time programming but stating that programming in your free time is pretty much a requirement for becoming a strong developper is a couple of bridges too far.

C'mon. I assume you are relatively young. But, here are the obvious answers:

1. I have tons of free time. But I am spending it with my kids and family or reading books. Sometimes I am going out with some old buddies.

2. You have no idea what level of technology or engineering I am using at my work. I could be programming microcontrollers or writing risk calculation for a bank. Both require same skill: attention, read documentation well, invent the solution, implement it and maintain it. That is a "strong" developer.

3. You better do following when I am seeking a job at your gig: invite me for a in person interview, tell me the story of your company, tell me the current pains, I tell you what can I do for you, how long I need and how much it costs you. If it matches then we have a deal.

^ This covers my exact thoughts!

I have next to no public repo's available simply because I don't have the time to maintain an open source project, my free time is spent away from the computer attempting to enjoy life!

In answer to How will you get exposed to a range of technologies outside what your employer uses, and a range of problems outside your work domain? Get thrown in at the deep end, put my headphones on and work it out. Hasn't failed me yet!

This exactly.

While I don't like the article posted here, I like the title.

In my experience in hiring coders where we use open source tools, this has become my #1 filter.

ALL OTHER THINGS CONSIDERED EQUAL, if two people apply to work with me, and one has no GitHub/StackOverflow/community presence, yet the other one does, the person with community presence has a far better chance of me taking them seriously.

I know you all think you're great coders (and you probably are - this is a smart forum here), but there's just so so so much bad code out there whose creator took no pride in it and has no passion for it.

So if you come to me with a nice blog, a ton of points on StackOverflow, or a GitHub account with at least one beautifully-crafted repo, you're going to stand out head and shoulders above the rest.

Like it or not, that's a huge test for me anymore.

I'm done hiring people who don't care, don't take pride in their work, and don't have an outward passion for it. So find a way to prove that you do. End of story.

Programming in your free time and having code on github are orthogonal.

Plenty of the best programmers I know don't use github and have all kinds of personal projects. Where's John Carmack's github? Where's Michael Abrash's? Where's Jonathan Blow's? I'd be willing to be most of the most famous game programmers don't have github accounts.

Interesting perspective, thanks. How about those who love programming, but really spend their free time working on projects which are private (either for their company or some other private group). You probably won't find that stuff in a public repository.

I think this is where the CV comes in, you can mention such other projects without revealing the source code.

eg. If I am working on growing a startup in my free time and say, have this awesome idea and worry about someone just copying and pasting my code, I probably won't make it a public repository.

Also, lets not assume that everyone has the same priorities. Someone might love programming from 7am - 6pm but when they go home, their focus is on family and friends. I fear that this "show me your github account" culture could eventually undermine the importance of having a balanced life outside the world of software engineering/general programming

I tend to assume you don't do much programming in your free time.

Poorly founded assumption. What you have are people that don't publish their hobby projects. The reasons run from employment contrasts, not thinking others will find any value in it, and yes, not doing any. If it wasn't for this github resume fad, I'd say that it's quite vain to put my dumb side projects online.

And if you don't program in your free time, how are you going to become a really strong developer?

By having an employer that is invested in my professional growth? As it benefits both of us? My employer invests in my ongoing education and skills. In the future it's unlikely I will take a job that doesn't. It sounds like you just want a early-20-something with no concept of a work/life balance to burn out his life for you.