Starting a Side Project?
I'm a software engineer that feels like my learning opportunity is slowly depreciating at work, and would like to try side projects as a means to continue learning things that interest me. What is a good strategy with getting started if I'm bad at coming up with ideas?
Simple Idea:
I was thinking of going very simple with a todo list web app first since I would like to learn a bit more about Full Stack development. Then, I could think and build features that I would like to add onto it, and ask others for features they would like as well.
I was also thinking that a personal finance app would be fun since I also want to learn more about personal finances.
Tech Stack:
I mainly code in Java for my job, so I was thinking of venturing into JavaScript (simplest UI possible that doesn't look terrible) for my front end, and wanted to learn more about developing with Python (Django) since I used it a lot for interviews lol.
TLDR:
I am a software engineer that is bored at work and looking for side projects that I can learn from. Should I start off simple and try to build more features as my project matures? Also, should I use languages and frameworks I am comfortable with, or try venturing to a different tech stack?
My opinion, is if you want to be profitable ASAP then use what you know whereas if you want the project to teach you something new then pick a stack to learn from.
As for the specific project, if it's something you'd use and are passionate about it then absolutely move forward. If you want to go more of the business route, identify a need, a market, and solution then I suggest:
Hope that helps and welcome to IHs.
100% agreed. You can view looking for product-market fit a bit like doing R&D.
The further your opportunity is from what you already know/do, the more risk you introduce in your business.
If you're on limited runway, you have to be aware of your time to product-market fit:
https://andrewchen.co/ttpmf-time-to-product-market-fit/
Thanks for the detailed response and information! At the moment, I am not really seeking the path to profitability, so I think it may be more useful to learn a new stack. But I would love to develop an app that people find useful one day
To build on your ideas:
1.) Many years ago I wrote a "temporary task list" app for myself. The idea being that I can easily build a list for say grocery shopping, cleaning the house, or a trip to the mall. It's quick and simple but a lot easier to use than a full task app.
https://risk-apps.com/task/task_list.php
2.) I had a Twitter conversation about AI/ML and spending. It shouldn't be too hard to say "you normally spend $10 at coffee shops but you didn't this week, good job". Or, "you surpassed your goal of saving $100, buy yourself a small reward then keep on saving".
https://mobile.twitter.com/WaddingtonWMG/status/1225656362090106881
Maybe those spike your interest.
thanks for the ideas! I like the idea of mixing AI/ML with personal finance. Problem is I'm a newbie when it comes to Data Science/ML. Maybe it could be a good place to grow my skillsets as well :)
Hey, this is super relevant to a problem I'm trying to figure out too.
I'm building a side project sharing platform - https://joinhelm.com/ - where people can see what other people are building/get inspired, build a portfolio of their side projects (with or without code) and get feedback on the projects they create.
I'm just starting it out, but I'm hoping it could be useful to you. So far, people have shared a few games, platforms, and other side projects.
dope, i'll have to take a look
https://github.com/florinpop17/app-ideas/blob/master/README.md i saw this shared somewhere here in a thread indiehackers you can read some ideas here and try out
this is a great resource! I'll make sure to try some of these projects out
Well, there is no right answer for your questions, but will try to speak from my experience.
What is a good strategy with getting started if I'm bad at coming up with ideas?
Just try to think a couple of days about your own problems. What do you struggle with? You definitely think at least once "I wish I have <bla-bla> service". When you find this thing just build it.
If you really struggle with to-do lists and finance app (I actually can say despite there are tons of them I still haven't found the one which suits me) go for it. But don't copy anyone, try to make it as you always wanted.
Learning new tech and startup fast is always controversial. If you choose new stack for you there is a big chance you won't finish your product or it takes you a looong time. If you really want to launch the product I'd suggest to use tech stack you know, but learn other stuff (SEO, Deploying, Marketing etc)
this totally makes sense. I just find it hard to think of things I would want since I always go back to thinking about if others would like it. But your point definitely makes sense about just focusing on if I like it first. And maybe you're right about having a ton to learn about outside of just coding, because I barely think about business on a day-to-day.
Hi folks, read all of it (10am EST), and a question came up: where does all that boredom come from. Figured, there might be a common cause to that. A follow-up question would be this: looking upon that boredom, when would you abandon ship and move on, get a new job? What makes you stay in the first place. Bills to pay, student debt, health insurance? Regards, M.
i think the boredom comes from implementing repetitive tasks where I'm feeling like I'm not learning anything. I'm a junior engineer who joined the team 7 months ago, so they don't really trust me to work on anything interesting yet.
I'm a fairly new engineer (just graduated 8 months ago), so jumping ship too early would look sketchy if I'm trying to find other jobs. Plus, the market for people with my experience is fairly low compared to people with 3+ years of experience.
Thank you for your insight. Beginning to understand ... Have you asked for say a kind of schedule like "first you do 12 months boring stuff, if gained confidence as of month 13 you get assigned the more interesting stuff, and after 2 years you are tasked with full-blown work on your own" ? Maybe that's not the habit at your place, but bosses might see you as one of the more ambitious fellows? Regards, M.
Hi @sg_loading,
I was in same situation 2 months back. Bored with job so I thought to give my Ideas a try. So I build a very simple web app to find new projects on GitHub and launched it on ProductHunt.
I was not thinking about any hit but got moderate response. It gave me inspiration to work for more.I started work on my second app now.
So make sure you are working on something that give you joy otherwise you will get bored with time. Personal finance app looks fun. Also use whatever you are good at for start.
Good luck with your project.
thanks for the response! Yeah, the personal finance app does seem more fun to me since it will also teach me the ways of a grown up in the process lol
Fix your own problem, and your problem here seems to be not knowing what to build. How about you make a "problem list", where you write down problems you have, and people can upvote it, add comments for solutions etc. It would both help validate ideas in the future and get you to build something now
Im pretty much in the same boat. My day job isnt boring but I do need to exercise my shipping skills.
Instead of looking for new ideas, I decide to look at the internal tools in my company and replicate them for public use.
The benefit I can see with this approach is that i can start building right away
actualy copying an existing idea and doing it in your own way or differently is a good approach