Applying tech skills to more than just a day at the office...

I would consider myself to be a pretty technical guy. I'm trained as a computer programmer, I own an iPad, an iPhone, and I use a Windows PC at work. As a result, there isn't a whole lot I don't know about OS and Windows. I even have a fairly extensive knowledge of third party applications such as Evernote, Dropbox, and the suite of services Google has online (calendar, mail, documents) etc etc.

While I'm sure that impresses no one on this forum (especially the bit about the iPhone/iPad), I would definitely consider myself to be 100% more technical than anyone in my immediate surroundings, both at home and at work. I always seem to be the guy that gets called when "something isn't working".

Thing is, I'm getting a little tired of pouring all of my efforts into projects for "the man". I've setup data files, charts, graphs, custom software - all in an effort to make their lives easier and the response I usually get is "how do I open that program again?" or "where do I find ___?"

I desperately need a side project - something that will provide a little supplemental income. I've thought about developing an "app" for iPhone/iPad, but I realize the months of effort involved would result in a payout of maybe $10 when all is said and done.

I'm assuming most of you on this forum are also tech savvy. What kinds of side projects do you work on? Do you own your own businesses?

I'm just trying to get an idea on expanding my reach with the skills I have. I know I want to do something new but I'm not sure how best to apply my skills to something meaningful.

Why not develop an app that lets "the man" ask you that magical question?

Better yet: how about an app that lets "the man" open whichever app he wants? Maybe a voice driven app?

the man: ummm... now, where's that photo I had downloaded earlier?
your app: Here it is! <whoosh! the photo viewer opens with the last downloaded image file loaded in it>
the man: hmm... now I want to change the bikini colour to red. How the hell do I do that?
your app: <opens the same image in ms paint. And if you are particularly tired of your current job, it will also paint the bikini red>
the man: ....
...
...
<eventually you get fired because your app does everything for "the man".>


Your call.

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How "side" of a project are we talking about here? Maybe you could pick up a freelance programming project. That's a more certain way to get additional income than for example making an iPhone app. I'm sure Apple and Google are proud of the app numbers in there sotres but that pissing contest between them isn't helping the users or developers. It's very hard to break through from under the 400.000 pile of apps, in fact, most apps never even earn back their development costs. And for the users, with such a big list, it's hard to discover anything new aside from what is in the top 25, 50... lists. So, unless you're very lucky, it's possible that you only wasted time (not completely, indirectly you would learn some new skills). So, freelancing maybe? Or as they say, don't dig for gold, sell shovels.

A freelance project might work. My only fear there relates to the scope of a project. If I play around with app development it's on my own schedule and I can work at my own pace. When it's done it's done.

With freelancing it would basically be like I'm at work - but I'd be doing the work from home.

The one idea I can't seem to shake is helping people become more familiar with the tech that surrounds them. Maybe place a classified ad in the local paper and offer help. But there are two problems with that philosophy. I get angry very quickly when trying to explain things to the technologically inept. I also don't think becoming a one man Help Desk is going to satisfy my craving for something different.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Grudge

I get angry very quickly when trying to explain things to the technologically inept.

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Work on it to eliminate this, this is a huge problem specially if you are trying to go solo. In any case being angry with someone just because they are challenged one way or another isn't good, isn't logical and should be avoided.

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I feel ya. I would like to be self-employed some day; for now I do some paid freelance work (in web development and design), but it's hard to find much time for it, and sometimes even harder to get motivated after I've been at my salaried job all day. I'm interested in mobile app development too, but I honestly can't come up with a compelling idea I want to pursue.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Grudge

I get angry very quickly when trying to explain things to the technologically inept.

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Don't we all. If you desperately need additional income as you indicated, get rid of this tendency fast if you plan to work with new and/or inept users. Otherwise, you might as well forget about it and find something that will keep your exposure to users at a minimum.

I wouldn't know what would work for you. But if I may offer you a small piece of advice, the thing that I've learned over the years is to nourish and value the connection with end users. A lot of technical people have short tempers and do not try to explain things to people that are not so technical (see "clueless"). As a result, users value people that are patient with them and do not appear condescending. Regardless of what you do next, networking and communication are very important factors and it's amazing how one thing quickly leads to another, given enough time.

I find that I don't necessarily get angry at the technologically inept, but at the technologically inept who insist that they know better. It's one thing when you explain to someone and they just don't get it; it's another thing when you explain to someone, and they just won't listen.

It isn't clear to me what you real motivation is. You mention a desire that this be financially beneficial, but you also mention being able to work on it haphazardly. The former suggests that the real motivation is that you need another income source, while the latter suggests that you don't. Which is it? The answer is kind of critical. After all, if the whole issue is that you need to make more money, and you aren't thrilled with your current job, then changing jobs might be all the solution you need. If, on the other hand, extra money is nothing more than icing on the cake, then perhaps you should consider whether you want the money solely as a measure of the quality of what you are doing. In other words, it is nothing more than a compliment. A tangible compliment, to be sure, but still just a compliment. One that serves largely to make you feel better about yourself.

After all, if you don't NEED the money, then anything on the side has a name: Hobby. I have several, none of them make me a single dime, but then again, I don't need more dimes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shaggy Hiker

It isn't clear to me what you real motivation is. You mention a desire that this be financially beneficial, but you also mention being able to work on it haphazardly. The former suggests that the real motivation is that you need another income source, while the latter suggests that you don't. Which is it? The answer is kind of critical. After all, if the whole issue is that you need to make more money, and you aren't thrilled with your current job, then changing jobs might be all the solution you need. If, on the other hand, extra money is nothing more than icing on the cake, then perhaps you should consider whether you want the money solely as a measure of the quality of what you are doing. In other words, it is nothing more than a compliment. A tangible compliment, to be sure, but still just a compliment. One that serves largely to make you feel better about yourself.

After all, if you don't NEED the money, then anything on the side has a name: Hobby. I have several, none of them make me a single dime, but then again, I don't need more dimes.

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I didn't exactly make my intentions clear, did I? I don't need the money. I have a good job, I work with good people, and I enjoy my time there. I just get a little tired of the "corporate garble". It takes 3 wks to accomplish what should take 3 days, and we duplicate work several times over depending on the audience for which it is intended.

I guess my dream would be to pick something I enjoy up on the side, like developing a mobile app. If I happened to sign into my developer account one day to see a giant cheque waiting for me that would be pretty awesome too.

Honestly, my biggest reason for doing this....it's fear. I'm in my early thirties and I want to accomplish something fairly sizeable on my own. The thought of just banging out 40hrs a week until I'm 50 at the same job makes me feel a little :sick:

I need to take a shot at something, you know?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The_Grudge

I need to take a shot at something, you know?

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then a good week off work, and a soul searching i guess is best to do first before planning what to do next...try to see which things make you happy and thrilled at work...

this can get to your head every single day if youre bored on your current job...
i also imagine that, that your fear comes from being so comfortable with your job and being so job secured that your not thinking of leaving it yet... perhaps for another 20years?:thumb: think about whats best for you man, not your boss, still i feel that you cared so much for your boss...


then perhaps if you` would make a hobby for app development, then go take a shot at it, no one shackles you to a point you cant do anything for your self.

Another thing, if this also concerns on your daily tasks, if youre doing programming solutions please note that you are doing these to ease work load of those people that will use it so bear those questions that are repeatedly asked. To solve this, you should have a general orientation for the program no matter how small or big it is, give a thorough explanation to how would it be used correctly. Give them an actual and oral presentation. With this, it is enough for them to understand what you do, and should minimize them on asking things. As to when you have done a fix, please let them know what you did, explain the cause of the problem and try to teach them a basic troubleshooting for what problem they encounter. getting angry will not let you get things on their heads.

and for those people who are tech inept, bear with them and try to understand them from their point, cause if without them we are not needed...

~cheers