10 More Ways To Get An Article On DZone

I was introduced to DZone not too long ago and it has now become my #1 resource for reading about the latest programming news.

I noticed a trend of the types of websites that are submitted to DZone and after reading 10 Ways to get an Article on DZone, I thought I would expand upon this and add 10 more ways to get an Article on DZone.

10. Interviewing Stories with Google

Everybody (including myself) probably wants to work for Google given the numerous benefits their employees enjoy. Does reading about the interview process provide a way to beat the system by knowing what to expect?

Sample Submissions:

• My Job Interview at Google (via catonmat.net)
• My interview experience with Google (via philosophicalgeek.com)
• Learn from their Mistakes: 15+ Google Interview Experiences (via linkmingle.com)

9. Cartoons that Appeal to Geek Humor

You can’t take life too seriously and not everything you read should be either. The funniest cartoon will be one that leaves non-programmers saying “I don’t get it.”

Sample Submissions:

• You’re a Geek if You Think This is Funny (via xkcd.com)
• Tech Support Cheat Sheet (Comic) (via xkcd.com)
• How a programmer reads your resume (via hanovsolutions.com)

8. Cheat Sheets & Reference Guides

When you don’t feel like looking through documentation or Googling for a particular solution, cheat sheets and reference guides are a useful tool.

Sample Submissions:

• Design Patterns Quick Reference (via mcdonaldland.info)
• The Great Cheat Sheet Roundup – Over 30 Cheatsheets for Developers! (via petefreitag.com)
• 15 useful cheat sheets for web developers (via eisabainyo.net)

7. Stories about Java

DZone has a large Java following courtesy of JavaLobby.org. Although more and more developers of other languages are using DZone, Java stories tend to carry some weight.

Sample Submissions:

• The Top 10 Unused Features in Java (via dzone.com)
• 7 year old girl implements Pet Store in Java (via craigbbaker.com)
• Java App Store Coming Soon! (via dzone.com )

6. Free Books

Yes, free as in beer. Programming books aren’t cheap and it is great when you can find a free alternative.

Sample Submissions:

• Free Programming Books (via e-booksdirectory.com)
• Mastering EJB3.0 – Free PDF Book Download (via amis.nl)
• 10 open source books worth downloading (via tectonic.co.za)

5. Stories about DZone

Heavy users of DZone are quick to point out DZone’s flaws and offer suggestions for improvement. I’m sure DZone also appreciates the feedback.

Sample Submissions:

• Digg is Dead to me – Hello DZone (via reynoldsftw.com)
• Helping dzone: a usability problem ? (via satov.blogspot.com)
• DZone Suggestion, More Comments (via dsoguy.blogspot.com)

4. Good and Bad Programmers

Like bad singers on American Idol, bad programmers apparently cannot tell for themselves that they shouldn’t be programming.

Sample Submissions:

• The 8 ball problem – the test most CS people fail… (via firstclassthoughts.co.uk)
• Signs You’re a Crappy Programmer (and don’t know it) (via damienkatz.net)
• Signs that you are a bad programmer (via sites.google.com/site/yacoset)

3. Version Control Systems

Requirements are never static and it only takes one time that you need to rollback changes on your code.

Sample Submissions:

• Git vs Svn Comparison (via git.or.cz)
• Free SVN & Trac hosting for your projects (via assembla.com)
• Why version control is important for solo developers (via cimgf.com)

2. Programming Life

Programmers want to know what others are up to in the field, particularly how to grow professionally and what mistakes to avoid.

Sample Submissions:

• The * stupidest things I’ve done in my programming job (via cherouvim.com)
• The Mistakes I Made in My Programming Career (via itscommonsensestupid.blogspot.com)
• 10 ways to kill your star programmer (via jroller.com)

1. Ask Questions

Social networking tends to attract the following people: those who have a lot to say and those who want to say more. Is there a better way to bring these two groups together?

Sample Submissions:

• Do we need to know basic math as programmers? (via lessthandot.com)
• Is Spring still lightweight? (via azeditech.com)
• For a Sr. Software Engineer position, do you think this interview question is fair? (via louderthanreason.com)

Update (12/11/2009): Added links to original content.