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Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

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11–20 of 64 posts

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#11
You could work as a software developer in the public sector. There is a desperate need in many countries to improve digital services for citizens.

Or, you could have side projects that improve people's lives. I have built software that helps developers build accessible websites, software for adding subtitling to videos and software to help memory institutions archive political debate in social media.

You can get started right now.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#14
Hi,

I have similar feelings where I really don't do good things at my programming day job.

I see a lot of the evils of the world as systemic issues caused by capitalism and globalization. I've been chipping away at the seed of an alternative system https://opensocialism.com

Wanna help? :)

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#19
post #11

You could work as a software developer in the public sector. There is a desperate need in many countries to improve digital services for citizens. Or, you could have side projects that improve people's lives. I have built software that helps developers build accessible websites, software for adding subtitling to videos and software to help memory institutions archive political debate in social media. You can get star…

To improve the digital services for citizens you'd first have to be in a position to initiate or convince your superiors to convince their superiors (and so on) to initiate an investment in an improvement. Then wait for about a decade to actually see anything happen.

You don't just show up there all like "if we rewrote this portal in react with all these patterns here (which are really cool, I promise) things would be better for the citizens" and then do just that.

tl;dr if you want to improve the state of public sector software, you're better off entering the domain as a politician rather than software developer.

Re: Ask HN: Improving the world as a software developer

#20
I interviewed with 18F/USDS and they seem like they fit what you are looking for (assuming you are in the USA, which may not be the case). They work on modernizing the US government programs. Lots of opportunities for you if you are willing to move to DC, some if you are senior and are willing to work remote.

More here: https://18f.gsa.gov/

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