CONTRIBUTING.md links to deprecated Gitter platform — new contributors hit a dead end

[Jai-76]

Read Existing Documentation

I have checked the following places for the error:

• OpenMS Documentation Troubleshooting
• OpenMS API Developer FAQs

Create OpenMS Bug Report

I have created the bug report in OpenMS for any pipeline errors.

• OpenMS Open Issues

Description of the documentation bug

The CONTRIBUTING.md file directs new contributors to ask questions on Gitter:

"For any questions, drop us a ping in OpenMS Gitter"
Link: https://gitter.im/OpenMS/OpenMS

Gitter was officially shut down on 23 December 2023 and migrated to
Element/Matrix. New contributors who follow this link will either land on
a defunct page or find an inactive/confusing platform. This is particularly
harmful for first-time contributors and Hacktoberfest participants who rely
on the CONTRIBUTING.md as their primary onboarding guide.

• I have attached screenshots of the incorrect documentation

📸 Screenshot: Navigate to .github/CONTRIBUTING.md and observe the
Gitter link under the "Create a Pull Request" section intro paragraph.

Affected file:
https://github.com/OpenMS/OpenMS-docs/blob/develop/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md

Expected behaviour

The Gitter link should be replaced with a link to an active, maintained
community channel where contributors can actually get help. Suggested
replacements:

• ✅ GitHub Discussions —
  already on GitHub, zero friction for contributors
• ✅ Element/Matrix room — if OpenMS migrated its Gitter community there
• ✅ OpenMS mailing list or forum — if preferred by maintainers

The updated line in CONTRIBUTING.md should read something like:

"For any questions, start a discussion in
OpenMS GitHub Discussions."

OpenMS Installation

• Version: 3.5.0

Additional context

• Gitter shutdown announcement: https://blog.gitter.im/2023/12/21/gitter-is-shutting-down/
• This affects the primary onboarding file for all new documentation
  contributors
• The repo is tagged with hacktoberfest, meaning many first-time open
  source contributors will hit this dead link during October events
• Fix is a one-line change in .github/CONTRIBUTING.md — great
  good first issue candidate

[coderabbitai]

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