Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
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Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#2[flagged]
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#3What about advertising your product? I've heard that that is exceptionally difficult these days.
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#4What about advertising your product? I've heard that that is exceptionally difficult these days.
One approach is to write a blog posting about how you created your product and get it on the front page of Hacker News
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#5I had a 1040ST back in the day and it was great for the time. I learned me some C with the Mark Williams C, played around with bbs's and whatnot, but I'd be hard-pressed to find a reason to go back.
Of course we're all different, but I'd assume the real driver would be the ability to run specific beloved apps of yore.
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#6[deleted]
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#7I'm on a similar adventure right now, an ex-software person building a motorized iPhone stand that is Bluetooth controlled.
It's been fun to see how with Fusion 360, a 3D printer, and JCLPCB you can build all kinds of devices. YouTube and GPT-4 are excellent tutors for hobbyists entering the hardware space.
The 2 week wait for custom parts from China makes you realize the advantage they have over there when it comes to the rapid prototyping stage of product development.
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#8What about advertising your product? I've heard that that is exceptionally difficult these days.
Indeed, advertising suffers from a severe signal-to-noise problem.
Like the OP, I make a hobby related product as a side hustle. There are some sources of word-of-mouth advertising through web forums for enthusiasts. Usually you have to give something before you can get something back, and respect the forum rules. I never mention my product unless someone specifically asks.
Also, I was an established member of a forum before I ever even dreamt up my product. I made a couple to give away, and another forum member wrote up a review. The rest is history. ;-)
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#9I'm on a similar adventure right now, an ex-software person building a motorized iPhone stand that is Bluetooth controlled. It's been fun to see how with Fusion 360, a 3D printer, and JCLPCB you can build all kinds of devices. YouTube and GPT-4 are excellent tutors for hobbyists entering the hardware space. The 2 week wait for custom parts from China makes you realize the advantage they have over there when it comes…
What is the cost of your project? Could you share more information? I was looking to do something similar.
Re: Lessons learned by a software guy venturing into hardware
#10This article initially upset me because it muddied my hardware honeymoon memories and attacked my perceived future. However, I’m glad I read the whole thing because I the author actually did the thing and built something and wrote about it. It is one of those rare blog posts where things don’t go perfectly well and the author is not some sort of flawless god. Experience is gold and this article lays it out raw, I love it.
I’m newish to embedded software and hardware and I find it difficult but oh so rewarding. Highly recommended.