Programming Trends

Java vs. other languanges
http://www.google.com/trends?q=Java+-indonesia%2C+PHP%2C+C%23%2C+ruby%2C+perl&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=0

Java versions:
http://www.google.com/trends?q=Java+1.2%2C+Java+1.3%2C+Java+1.4%2C+Java+1.5%2C+Java+1.6%2C+Java+1.1&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all&sort=4

Telecommuting tips

I have been telecommutting 1-2 days/week for a few years so I present the following tips to those who want to telecommute:

1. Practice communicating by email (especially when it is easier to talk in person about something) so you get better at writing emails that are complete and easy to understand.
2. Practice doing as many normal activities on your telecommuting days as possible. Minimize "waiting until you get back to the office".
3. Practice minimizing differences between your telecommuting and in-office days so that your telecommuting doesn't negatively affect the company.

For me #1 was the hardest to learn.

Method return values for null objects

Would it be useful to be able to provide method return value for null objects?
For a List the null return values might be:
get(int) : null
size() : 0
iterator() would be an empty iterator

That would allow the following code that has less null checks.

List items = null;

if(something) {
items = ...
}

for(int index = 0; index < items.size(); index++) {
Object obj = items.get(index);
}