Naeem Nur has been consistently building and launching side projects since 2009. His portfolio spans a diverse range, from web applications like a recipe manager and a tool to track freelance income, to mobile apps like a sleep tracker and a habit tracker. He often leverages his software engineering background to create practical tools for personal use, then expands them for a wider audience. Several of his projects, though small in scale, have garnered thousands of users and generated modest revenue. His approach emphasizes learning by doing, iterating based on user feedback, and open-sourcing code whenever possible.
Naeem Nur, in a comprehensive blog post titled "Side projects I've built since 2009," meticulously documents an extensive history of his personal software development endeavors. Beginning with his earliest projects during his university years, Nur showcases a diverse portfolio ranging from web applications and browser extensions to mobile apps and developer tools. His first highlighted creation, "Classreminder," born in 2009, served as a notification system for university courses, leveraging email and SMS to keep students informed about assignments and deadlines. This initial foray into software development laid the groundwork for a series of subsequent projects, each demonstrating a progressive evolution in his skills and interests.
He then transitioned to exploring the potential of browser extensions with "Tabmemfree," designed to optimize memory usage by suspending inactive browser tabs, reflecting a burgeoning interest in performance optimization. This focus on enhancing user experience is a recurring theme throughout his portfolio. Another notable project, "TypeBetter," exemplifies his exploration of gamification and its potential to improve typing skills, incorporating elements of competition and progress tracking to engage users in a more interactive learning experience.
Nur's ventures extended beyond desktop applications, encompassing mobile development with projects like "Grocerylist.me," a collaborative grocery list application designed to streamline shared shopping experiences, and "Moviequ," a platform for discovering and discussing movies, demonstrating his ability to cater to different user needs and platforms. His portfolio also showcases a keen interest in developer tools, exemplified by "Gitspective," a utility aimed at simplifying the often complex process of navigating Git history and understanding code evolution.
Furthermore, Nur’s projects reflect a continuous exploration of various technologies and platforms. He experimented with different programming languages, frameworks, and development methodologies, iteratively refining his approach and adapting to the evolving technological landscape. His documentation highlights not only the technical aspects of each project but also the underlying motivations, challenges faced, and lessons learned throughout the development process, providing valuable insights into his personal growth as a software engineer. The chronological presentation of his projects effectively illustrates his persistent dedication to self-improvement and his consistent engagement in personal coding endeavors over a significant period, revealing a dedicated commitment to continuous learning and development within the ever-changing field of software engineering.
Summary of Comments ( 74 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44027867
HN users largely praised the author's impressive portfolio of side projects, highlighting the consistent effort and diverse range of ideas. Several commenters appreciated the transparent breakdown of successes and failures, finding it relatable and encouraging. Some questioned the long-term sustainability of juggling so many projects, while others offered advice on focusing efforts and exploring alternative monetization strategies. The value of side projects for learning and skill development was a recurring theme, with some users sharing their own experiences and motivations. A few comments also delved into specific projects, discussing technical aspects or suggesting improvements.
The Hacker News post titled "Side projects I've built since 2009" generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters sharing their perspectives on side projects, motivation, and the author's approach.
One commenter questioned the author's motivation for pursuing so many side projects, suggesting that spreading oneself thin across numerous endeavors might hinder achieving significant depth or impact in any single one. They wondered if the author might have been more successful by focusing on a smaller number of projects. This spurred a discussion about the varying motivations behind side projects, with some arguing that exploration and learning are valid goals in themselves, even without producing commercially successful outcomes.
Another commenter expressed appreciation for the author's transparency in sharing both successful and unsuccessful projects, acknowledging the importance of learning from failures. They pointed out that often, only successful projects are showcased, which creates a skewed perception of the development process. This resonated with other commenters who agreed that seeing the full spectrum of a developer's journey, including the less glamorous aspects, provides valuable insight.
A few commenters focused on specific projects mentioned by the author, asking technical questions or offering suggestions for improvements. These comments delved into the technical details of implementing certain features or alternative approaches the author could consider.
Some users shared their own experiences with side projects, highlighting the challenges of balancing them with full-time work and personal life. This sparked a brief discussion about time management strategies and the importance of setting realistic expectations.
Finally, several comments simply expressed admiration for the author's dedication and prolific output, acknowledging the effort required to consistently work on side projects over an extended period.
While no single comment was overwhelmingly compelling, the overall discussion offered a diverse range of perspectives on the value, challenges, and motivations behind pursuing side projects. The comments highlighted the importance of learning from failures, balancing breadth with depth, and managing expectations when juggling multiple endeavors.