Ask HN: What to build (to get excited again)? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What to build (to get excited again)?

10 pointspurple-leafy9 comments

Hey HN, I would say I really enjoy programming - and had so much fun when I knew just enough to do the basics (manipulate some html, loops etc) and my ideas seemed exciting and boundless.

Now I have about 4 years experience and feel like programming has lost its magic. My ideas don’t excite me anymore, because I feel like I know the limits of what can be built solo.

For context I have built lots of browser extensions (I found manipulating the DOM of existing sites In a generic manner a fun challenge), I build full stack sites for work.

So what areas can I explore that will excite me again?

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Try the following

    - port something you know well into a different language
    - try to build something open source with 0 deps
    - a sub 10k website
    - I heard Chrome manifest version is shuttering, and there are lot of opportunities to replace them
    - try htmlx
    - your own react implementation 
    - your own npm/yarn implementation 
    - a free code minifier/formatter or a pastebin

And remember, it was boredom that resulted in some of the most innovative things.

I discovered that I like building chrome extensions. Whenever I am annoyed with a UI, I build my own chrome extension. I am currently at 4 extensions and have only been doing this for a week

Edit: I only read the title. It seems we might be similar.

Give hackthebox.eu a spin

Create a computer graphics engine (linear algebra is required but only for 4x4 matrices).

Create a game with Unity3D after

That’s all I have

What chrome extensions have you built?

I just released a screenshot extension last night

Hack the box is a good idea

Having done quite a bit of hobbyist graphics, I wouldn't even say linear algebra is as important as basic linear operations. Knowing the properties of a matrix (non-commutative, the domain of a matrix when multiplying, etc.) and linear operations like the cross product and dot product will get you VERY far. I've never had to do honest to god algebra in graphics

Learn something new. Go to udemy.com, choose one course with a practical effect, buy it on the discount ($9-$12, not more) and just follow it carefully. I can recommend Max Schwarzmueller as a teacher as I like his style and pleasent voice (https://www.udemy.com/user/maximilian-schwarzmuller/) but it's up to you. Take one thing like, CSS or Vue, as that will give you a quick win with a visual result, achievement and fun beside of trying and learning something new. Best!

I feel similarly. My plan is the new edition of "The Nature of Code" and "Mazes for Programmers". Also maybe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4s1h2YETNY

I'm feeling like 3d printing could get me excited for a few months... a whole new class of software, solving little physical problems around the house..

explore things outside tech, see what kind of problems attract you intrinsicly, explore it through trying to understand the problem/building the solution using programming as a tool.

this method had me explore deeper software engineering problem trying to solve every stuff. Since there's no deadline you can do it recreationally.

For a feel of recreationally, I really like this tscoding yt channel stream, he does long videos, pretty calming to watch.

No need to invent something to get excited. You can just start looking at things under new perspectives ! It's the secret of happiness in general, too.

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