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Ask HN: What do you want to learn in 2017?

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Re: Ask HN: What do you want to learn in 2017?

#32
post #18

I want to learn how to even start a side-project. I've been out of university since 2012 and have done basically nothing in my free time CS-related. Every time I start to even think about doing something, that "why are you working while on your free time" feeling comes up and I immediately do something else. Not sure if it means I really don't love programming and Computer Science after all (entirely possible) or if…

I think the trick is to find something you're truly excited about. It's not work if you're enjoying the thing you're doing.

Perhaps the problem is you're wanting a side-project for the wrong reasons.

Re: Ask HN: What do you want to learn in 2017?

#33
post #18

I want to learn how to even start a side-project. I've been out of university since 2012 and have done basically nothing in my free time CS-related. Every time I start to even think about doing something, that "why are you working while on your free time" feeling comes up and I immediately do something else. Not sure if it means I really don't love programming and Computer Science after all (entirely possible) or if…

I've yet to graduate, but I find myself in the same position. I've got other non-CS related hobbies that I enjoy and so I don't really end up making any good side projects.

CS seems to have this feel around it where it has to be both your job and your passion. Recruiters want to see that you spend all your time outside of work/school programming, which makes it difficult for people like us who have other hobbies they like too. I wonder if it will ever change?

Re: Ask HN: What do you want to learn in 2017?

#35
How to effectively market my consulting skills. I've been a web developer for over a decade now and I'm still not confident in my ability to bring in consistent work. The work comes, but I'd like to have more potential clients knocking.

From what I can tell, the best way to achieve that is by consistently offering to help others with my skills. So I'm making it a point in the coming year to make blogging a part of my work routine.

Are any of you facing the same dilemma? I'd love to hear your insights!

Re: Ask HN: What do you want to learn in 2017?

#36

I want to learn compiler development. My goal is to get enough of an understanding to be able to work on other people's compilers, such as SBCL. I'd like to: -Build a lisp that targets LLVM IR -Build an HDL out of lisp that can be compiled into a simulation, as well as be compiled to a netlist for synthesis. -Build a testbench toolkit out of that same lisp.

I have that planned for a long time. I've been making progress in recursive thinking and thus compilation and interpretation last year (thanks to a prolog book). I may attempt the LLVM thing in 2017. This or a bootstrapped forth, x86 64 or maybe AARCH64. Do you have a blog ?

No blog. It just seems like something I can't quite get the hang of... the writing part that is. Maybe I'll add that to my 2017 list.

Re: Ask HN: What do you want to learn in 2017?

#37

I want to write a real, hand-holding example for using GenStage and Elixir for a real tangible feature. The official documentation sucks and does nothing to illustrate how to use it in a real setting. I've tried to understand what it does and how it works about once a month for the past four months but I still don't get it. http://elixir-lang.org/blog/2016/07/14/announcing-genstage/ Hopefully I can understand it soon…

Check out these videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp01DFl8kp-239gW289C0ew

Re: Ask HN: What do you want to learn in 2017?

#39

How to effectively market my consulting skills. I've been a web developer for over a decade now and I'm still not confident in my ability to bring in consistent work. The work comes, but I'd like to have more potential clients knocking. From what I can tell, the best way to achieve that is by consistently offering to help others with my skills. So I'm making it a point in the coming year to make blogging a part of my…

I have a hard time breaking into the consulting/freelancing world. I really like the idea of working part-time during off hours for extra cash, but it's proven to be quite difficult for me.

I think part of it is that I'm not loud enough, and I think it comes from being an introvert. I'm confident, I'm not shy, and I know I'm skilled enough to work on lots of stuff, but when it comes to marketing myself, networking, small talk with strangers, or anything else like that, I just have the hardest time.

It also doesn't help that a lot of opportunities to meet potential clients are found in non-professional settings, and those events are usually centered around the consumption of alcohol in the presence of loud music. I cannot stand loud music and I don't drink alcohol, so the difficulties for me just seem insurmountable.

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