[Cialug] Reply to advice and another questions

[Matthew Nuzum]

On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 5:10 PM, Josh More
<MoreJ at alliancetechnologies.net>wrote:

>  Stop thinking about "in the Des Moines area".
>
> Find a Java-based open source project that you like.  Join the mailing list
> and say that you're not very good at Java yet, but you'd like to help.  It's
> usually best to start with documentation.  As you grow to understand the
> project better, try to fix a few bugs or help users file better bug
> reports.  After a bit of time, try adding a small feature.  Solicit
> feedback.  As time goes on, add bigger and bigger features.
>
> If your project doesn't have a supportive community, find one that does.
> There's no limit of volunteering opportunities, you just have to keep trying
> until you find one that works well for you.
>
> As your skills grow, so will your ability to see solutions.  At that point,
> you'll be able to go to local non profits or even businesses and have
> productive discussions about what you have to offer them.
>
>
+1

Apache has a strong community that is very supportive and welcoming.

As a matter of fact, any of the projects who participate in Google's summer
of code is likely going to be very welcoming to newcomers of all skill
levels. (not that you can participate, it's just for students)
http://www.google-melange.com/gsoc/accepted_orgs/google/gsoc2011

One area that is very hot for "Java" developers is the Android platform. You
can get two skills that are very marketable with that one (Java and Mobile
dev). http://developer.android.com/resources/browser.html?tag=tutorial

(I say "Java" because it's the Java language running on a non-java vm and
there are some legal battles going on right now with this that have no
effect on the programmers)

-- 
Matthew Nuzum
newz2000 on freenode, skype, linkedin and twitter

"My aim has always been to get to the truth rather than to support some
position. And in criticizing others, I have always tried to understand what
their
position was and not to misrepresent it. I have never been interested in
cheap
victories." -Ronald Coase
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