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I spent two years launching tiny projects

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Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#101

Post by acuozzo »

kokanee wrote: post #63
softwarebeware wrote: post #50

As someone who has written down probably 100's of little ideas over the years, and never built even a single one of them ... I applaud you

My problem is a bit different, and I'm curious if others can relate. I constantly have a project in the works, but once I solve the interesting technical hurdles and prove that the concept works, I suddenly think of a "better idea" and never actually release anything. I've been in this cycle for the better part of a decade now. But let me tell you, if my current project works out, I'll never have to work a W2 job aga…

I do this too, but the larger issue I face is that none of my ideas are even the slightest bit marketable.

I suppose I naturally gravitate to problem domains with little market potential. I don't know why.

I go into more detail here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31217221

Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#103

Post by marban »

herodoturtle wrote: post #96
marban wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be honest, I would never do something that requires a single employee ever again. I sold my first company because soon enough, all you get to do is manage politics and not the thing you signed up for — Sounds infantile but at some point you have to stay true to yourself no matter the benefits. If you're more of a team-player, there are obviously better options today (remote, etc.) — The only thing I would recommen…

Doesn't sound infantile at all. I strongly resonate with everything you're saying. A little over a year ago I submitted this Ask HN, which helps shed light on my situation: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27039701 It is now a year later and I'm still wondering the same thing as I was back then (as in, I haven't changed up my work setup at all / haven't hired people). I do rely on contractors here and there, but…

Sounds good to me — Feeding one or a thousand employees doesn't make a lot of difference because you can lose only so many hours of sleep over it each night.

Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#104

Post by acuozzo »

criddell wrote: post #69
softwarebeware wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually agree with this. There are a bunch of low-cost ways to prototype and collect user feedback. The paper notebook idea could have started with surveying people and finding if anyone actually existed who say it would be useful and they would pay for it. Or even just launch a one-page product site with an email sign-up list to get notified when the alpha version releases and wait until it reached some critical…

> It's a paradox, but I've found that my best ideas now come from building other ideas. Building and failing and building and failing might be a faster way of getting to something great than vetting, vetting, vetting, building, vetting, vetting building...

You have to, at the very least, vet the problem domain first though, no?

Building hundreds of AviSynth filters won't bring in a cent.

Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#105

Post by acuozzo »

pflanze wrote: post #98
acuozzo wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you have some time, would you mind replying to my "Ask HN"? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31217221 Thanks!

It's too late to reply there (IIRC the commenting period closes after (about) 15d).

Got it. Thanks! Perhaps he can just reply here instead (if he's interested, of course).

Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#106

Post by [deleted] »

marban wrote: post #46

I started my professional life ~25y ago with a side project that by 2022 led to roughly 50 more side projects — The vast majority failed, some turned into 200 employee businesses, some others got acquired. In essence, I make a living out of side projects. Side projects are life.

[deleted]

Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#107

Post by cinntaile »

mft_ wrote: post #97

Have you written anywhere about the technology you use underneath - from languages to libraries to hosting? I’ve got a few ideas somewhere between just started and half-written, but I often grind to a halt when it comes to figuring out sensible hosting. As an amateur, the world of AWS vs. GCE vs. Azure vs. Heroku vs. many, many others is difficult, and there are scary stories about out of control costs abound.

Pick what you know, that way you can focus on the project.

Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#109

Post by guerrilla »

danielvaughn wrote: post #92
marban wrote: post #46

I started my professional life ~25y ago with a side project that by 2022 led to roughly 50 more side projects — The vast majority failed, some turned into 200 employee businesses, some others got acquired. In essence, I make a living out of side projects. Side projects are life.

Your career is what I aspired to when I started in this industry over a decade ago. But what ended up happening was that I (a) worked full-time while dabbling on nights and weekends, (b) spent several years trying to decide which project I wanted to really pursue in earnest, and then (c) after picking the project, obsessing over it so much that I never felt it was ready to release. So it's...not going well so far lol…

I'm probably the last person you'd want to ask about this but it sounds like you failed to take risk, possibly due to mild (or not so mild?) perfectionism.

Re: I spent two years launching tiny projects

#110

Post by techsin101 »

Geste wrote: post #87
techsin101 wrote: post #73

what's the fastest tech stack or other way to go from idea to product...

I'd say the one you know ? For me it's react and firebase.

i always felt firebase was a trap, but i can see how having minimal backend can help you move forward fast. i guess ill learn it properly
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