Xanga is that Asian blogging site, in case you've forgotten. Apparently, they're hiring programmers, though they're looking for someone in New York. I thought it couldn't hurt to submit my resume anyway. In the form I had to fill out, they asked a bunch of interview-style questions. Since I don't think they'll send me a copy of my own responce, I'm storing them here for archival purposes. Let me know how you think I did, how I could have better answered some of these questions, etc.

What motivates you?

I like to be proud of what I do, and I happen to be good at "computer stuff", mainly the software side, which is why I find it easier to be proud of my programming than, for example, my tennis skills.

How do you keep up with the lastest in technology and programming? Do you read any specific blogs, or have a favorite tech author?

I read the typical computer sites: Slashdot, BetaNews, Gizmodo, Wired, GameDev, ArsTechnica and so on. I also participate on a few open source projects on SourceForge, and subscribe to a few newsgroups and mailing lists.

Are there particular features you wish Xanga had?

Maybe something like MoveableType's Trackback feature, so that I can make something that's half a comment to someone elses post, and half a post on my own blog.

Also, I'd probably make the skinning system more flexible.

Why do you want to work at Xanga?

While I've dabble in writing small utilities and games, I've always had the most success working on web sites and web applications. I don't actually use Xanga much myself, since I started my own blog before I found out about Xanga, but a lot of my friends use it, and I do like the featureset it provides. I definitely would have used Xanga had I known about it earlier.

What programming project are you most proud of and why?

Under "projects that means something to non-techies", I've made a tile based role playing game written in Java. Complexity wise, it's about on par with Final Fantasy 2 for the Super Nintendo. I've also made a web-app from scratch in PHP and MySQL which had over 3000 users from all over the world (including Canada, America, Japan and who knows where else) before I transfered the rights to it to someone else; the programming was pretty much done, and all was left was administration, which doesn't interest me as much as coding.

For "projects that won't mean much to non-techies", I've written a optimizing module for a Java compiler that beats Sun's own javac, and which won first place in a contest amongst other university students.

What other areas of technology are you interested in? Besides technology, what else do you have a passion for?

Other than web development, I like video games and computer games. If I don't get a career in web development, I'd probably be a game programmer as my second choice. Also, like most Asians, I tend to like gadgets in general, from smartphones to portable media players.

Outside of technology, I also like music and I've dabble in composing a few beats as a hobby. I mostly compose electronica on my virtual studio with lots of orchestral instrument thrown in, and I'm learning to play the drums.