Stories with Tag Personal Project

• Show HN: While the world builds AI Agents, I'm just building calculators

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  Posted: 2025-02-22 08:27:56

  Verbose tl;dr

  Calcverse is a collection of simple, focused online calculators built by a solo developer as a counterpoint to the current hype around AI agents. The creator emphasizes the value of small, well-executed tools that solve specific problems efficiently. The calculators currently offered on the site cover areas like loan comparisons, unit conversions, and investment calculations, with more planned for the future. The project embraces a minimalist design and aims to provide a practical alternative to overly complex software.

  The creator of Calcverse.live, a website showcasing a diverse collection of online calculators, has humbly presented their project on Hacker News, contrasting their work with the prevailing trend of developing sophisticated AI agents. While acknowledging the current excitement and focus within the tech community on artificial intelligence and autonomous agents, the developer has chosen to dedicate their efforts to a more grounded pursuit: the creation of practical and readily accessible calculation tools. Calcverse.live appears to host a variety of calculators, potentially catering to a wide range of needs, from simple arithmetic to more specialized calculations across diverse fields. The developer implicitly suggests a certain contentment in pursuing this less glamorous, but arguably equally valuable, path of building functional tools for everyday use, even while the broader technological landscape is captivated by the allure of artificial intelligence. The presentation implies a deliberate choice to focus on providing practical utility through these calculators, offering a tangible and immediately usable resource to visitors of the site. In essence, the developer is highlighting the enduring relevance and importance of fundamental calculation tools in a world increasingly dominated by complex algorithms and intelligent systems.

  • Calculators
  • Web Development
  • Show HN
  • Personal Project
  • javascript
  • online tools
  • mathematics
  • Arithmetic
  • UI/UX
  • web application
  • Front-End Development

  Summary of Comments ( 80 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43137248

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users generally praised the calculator's clean UI/UX and appreciated the developer's focus on a simple, well-executed project rather than chasing the AI hype. Several commenters suggested potential improvements or expansions, including adding more unit conversions, financial calculators, and even integrating with existing tools like Excel or Google Sheets. Some pointed out the existing prevalence of specialized online calculators, questioning the project's long-term viability. Others expressed interest in the technical implementation details, particularly the use of Qwik and Partytown. A few jokingly questioned the project's description as "just" calculators, recognizing the complexity and value in building a robust and user-friendly calculation tool.

  The Hacker News post titled "Show HN: While the world builds AI Agents, I'm just building calculators" sparked a small but interesting discussion.

  One commenter expressed appreciation for the simplicity and focus of the project, contrasting it with the current hype surrounding AI agents. They saw value in creating tools that serve a specific purpose well, rather than chasing the latest trend. They also pointed out the potential for calculators to become more complex and powerful, hinting at the possibility of the creator eventually incorporating some of the AI technologies they are currently eschewing.

  Another commenter focused on the business aspect, inquiring about the project's monetization strategy. This led the original poster (OP) to explain they were considering a freemium model with potential add-ons like custom themes and functions. This exchange offered a glimpse into the practical considerations of developing and sustaining a project like this.

  A third comment highlighted the importance of discoverability, suggesting that submitting the calculators to various app stores could significantly increase their reach. This practical advice offered a potential avenue for growth.

  The discussion also touched upon the technical aspects of the project. One user asked about the technology used to build the calculators, to which the OP replied that they were using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This clarified the development stack and offered insight into the project's technical foundation.

  Finally, there's a short exchange regarding the user interface. One commenter pointed out the lack of an equals sign (=) on the percentage calculator and enquired about its functionality, prompting the OP to explain it and also admit the UI confusion. This small detail highlighted the importance of user feedback in identifying and addressing usability issues.

  While the overall number of comments is relatively low, they provide a well-rounded perspective on the project, covering aspects from design and technical implementation to business strategy and discoverability. The comments generally express support for the project's focus on simplicity and utility in a landscape increasingly dominated by complex AI-driven applications.

• I put my heart and soul into this AI but nobody cares

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  Posted: 2025-02-20 21:56:36

  Verbose tl;dr

  The author poured significant effort into creating a "philosophically aligned" AI chatbot designed for meaningful conversations, hoping it would resonate with users. Despite their passion and the chatbot's unique approach, it failed to gain traction. The creator grapples with the disconnect between their vision and the public's apparent lack of interest, questioning whether the problem lies with the AI itself, the marketing, or a broader societal disinterest in deeper, philosophical engagement. They express disappointment and a sense of having missed the mark, despite believing their creation offered something valuable.

  The author, identified as Pieter Levels, chronicles a deeply personal and emotionally taxing journey of developing an artificial intelligence project named "Photo/Video AI." He poured considerable time, energy, and emotional investment into this endeavor, meticulously crafting it over a period of six months. This involved a substantial financial outlay, pushing him towards the brink of his personal financial limits. Driven by a potent combination of passion and the allure of potential financial reward, he envisioned this AI as a groundbreaking tool with the capacity to revolutionize photo and video editing. He painstakingly constructed its features, refining its algorithms and user interface, fueled by the dream of it becoming a widely adopted and commercially successful product.

  However, upon release, the project met with a dishearteningly tepid reception. Despite the author's profound personal investment and the significant technical accomplishment the AI represented, it failed to garner significant user interest or generate substantial revenue. This stark contrast between the anticipated success and the reality of its underwhelming performance has left the author feeling profoundly discouraged and disillusioned. The experience has prompted a period of introspection, forcing him to grapple with the emotional fallout of dedicating himself to a project that ultimately failed to resonate with the intended audience. He poignantly expresses the profound disappointment of witnessing his creation, into which he poured his heart and soul, seemingly vanish into the digital ether, unnoticed and unappreciated. The narrative serves as a stark illustration of the inherent risks and emotional vulnerabilities associated with entrepreneurial pursuits, particularly within the rapidly evolving and often unpredictable landscape of technological innovation.

  • AI Development
  • Emotional Investment
  • Lack of Recognition
  • Personal Project
  • AI Enthusiast
  • Disappointment
  • Creator Struggles
  • Tech Community
  • Indie Development
  • Software Development
  • Passion Project
  • Public Perception of AI
  • AI Project Marketing

  Summary of Comments ( 76 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43120802

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters largely sympathized with the author's frustration, pointing out the difficulty of gaining traction for new projects, especially in a crowded AI space. Several suggested focusing on a specific niche or problem to solve rather than general capabilities. Some criticized the landing page as not clearly conveying the product's value proposition and suggested improvements to marketing and user experience. Others discussed the emotional toll of launching a product and encouraged the author to persevere or pivot. A few commenters questioned the actual usefulness and novelty of the AI, suggesting it might be another "me-too" product. Overall, the discussion centered around the challenges of launching a product, the importance of targeted marketing, and the need for a clear value proposition.

  The Hacker News post "I put my heart and soul into this AI but nobody cares" (linking to an article on newslttrs.com) generated a substantial discussion with a variety of viewpoints.

  Several commenters empathized with the author's frustration, acknowledging the difficulty of gaining traction for a project, especially in a crowded AI space. They offered practical advice, suggesting focusing on specific niches, improving marketing strategies, and exploring alternative monetization options beyond subscriptions. Some highlighted the importance of validating the product's value proposition and ensuring it addresses a genuine need in the market. One commenter pointed out that building something truly unique and valuable takes time and persistence, encouraging the author not to give up.

  A recurring theme was the challenge of standing out amidst the hype surrounding AI. Commenters discussed the current "AI gold rush" and how it can be difficult for smaller projects to compete with well-funded companies and established players. Some suggested focusing on building a strong community around the project and engaging directly with potential users to gain feedback and build momentum.

  Several comments focused on the importance of marketing and distribution. Some suggested exploring partnerships, collaborations, and content marketing strategies to reach a wider audience. Others emphasized the need for a clear and concise message that effectively communicates the value proposition of the AI tool. One comment suggested focusing on specific use cases and demonstrating how the tool can solve real-world problems.

  Some commenters offered technical feedback, suggesting improvements to the user interface, functionality, and overall user experience. They encouraged the author to iterate based on user feedback and continuously improve the product.

  Finally, some comments offered a more philosophical perspective, reminding the author that not every project needs to be a commercial success. They highlighted the intrinsic value of creating something challenging and the importance of learning from the experience, regardless of the outcome. Some suggested open-sourcing the project as an alternative to pursuing commercialization.

  There was a notable absence of outright negativity or dismissive comments. The overall tone of the discussion was supportive and constructive, with many commenters offering genuine advice and encouragement to the author.