Java programming to save the world?

June 26, 2006 9:23 AM

I'm a Java programmer and I'd like to volunteer in my spare time. Any leads ?
posted by toastchee to Human Relations (10 answers total)

Open-source Java projects?
posted by Mr. Six at 9:27 AM on June 26, 2006

Join a #java IRC channel on Dalnet or Freenode and volunteer your expertise to n00bs.
posted by The Confessor at 10:09 AM on June 26, 2006

The Apache Jakarta Project
posted by mmascolino at 10:09 AM on June 26, 2006

Response by poster: I was more interested in finding organizations that might need help with an online system or backend programming.
posted by toastchee at 11:15 AM on June 26, 2006

Have you thought about teaching programming to high school kids in poor neighborhoods?
posted by Mr. Six at 11:41 AM on June 26, 2006

Try searching idealist.org for volunteer positions. Also try your city's website. Some have volunteer portals (well, I know New York does).
posted by miniape at 12:54 PM on June 26, 2006

Many many charities lack IT support: no backups, no security, no-one looking after their website, no nothing. Find one you like and volunteer.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 1:12 PM on June 26, 2006

try Volunteer Match!
posted by judith at 4:18 PM on June 26, 2006

I've known nursing homes that desperately need IT people. Not programming per se, though. Perhaps some worth open source project.
posted by callmejay at 7:26 PM on June 26, 2006

Sourceforge.net has a help wanted page with a section devoted to developers.
posted by wheat at 6:14 AM on June 27, 2006