I get some praise for my FOSS work. Nobody mentions my gender or age ever, though. :) It would feel kinda weird I guess.

I mostly don't care about the praise, because it's not the motivating factor. I usually interpret it non-presonally as the other person being excited about similar things I am. (probably a projection, but whatever)

Also in > 80% of cases the communication goes 1) praise 2) I need this. :) So, being praised is associated with someone wanting something from me, by now.

The best praise is the one that comes with a donation. :)

Idk, maybe it depends on the person. I would take it positively, as its an accomplishment regardless of their age, but even more so given how young the person is.

I think that’s the point. It’s easy to feel useless when people younger than you have better accomplishments.

Well I certainly don't feel useless lol... People's lives have different paths, but regardless I admire when someone does something cool wrt tech