Ask HN: Recap of Your Year and Aspirations for the Next
Having this website has allowed me to read a lot of your stories - failures and successes, challenges and rewards and the continuing evolution of how we use technology to make a difference. I've felt a sense of belonging from an online perspective.
I want to ask if you could share a recap of your 2018? Your background. The highs and lows, as well as some technical stuff you have worked on that you feel worth sharing. This could be anything, and perhaps might lead to some connections and collaboration with other HNers down the line.
I'll start things off.
My year has been a mix of my professional employment with the local government. I've read that a lot of people here also work for their respective governments (Mine is a city in Canada) and know the challenges faced on a daily basis. Adoption of best software practices, evolving public needs and priorities that determines technology projects and an ever tightening budget where you are expected to do more with less.
On the side, I've worked on a couple of applications that I have developed for acquaintances. One is an inventory application for tracking wine sales and the other is an iPad application for a restaurant bar. These are mostly one off applications that serve a specific purpose / designed for the business.
My aspirations for the next year is to:
1. Have a side project that I can fill my time with and allow me to earn some aside from my single source of income. 2. Connect with more people to work on their technology problems - small niche businesses who don't have the full capacity to get technology applicable for their business. 3. Learn more (technology, way of working, software practices).
I look forward to your responses. Thanks.