HACKER Q&A
📣 mt_plag

Advancing a Personal Project?


I've been building some novel software about compiler optimizations that I currently think has potential to greatly improve an optimizing compiler. I really want to invest in this project further, but at the same time I have a full time job (in compiler engineering) so my spare time is relatively limited.

I'm struggling to come up with a potential plan of how to advance my project more seriously other than just slowly increasing my saving so I can take some years of work to devote to the project. I'm looking for advice and strategies that I may be missing or stories from other developers on the matter.

Notes about me, in case they're important: Located on Europe, working remotely on compilers, I can survive around half a year on my current savings.

Thanks HN!

  👤 PragmaticPulp Accepted Answer ✓
Reduce scope.

There’s no way around it: If you think something requires years of dedicated work and must be a full-time job, you have to wrap a business model around it so you can make that work.

Alternatively, reduce scope to something you can work on in your free time.

There is no secret formula for conjuring up years of free time to work on something.

👤 brudgers
Releasing now is the simplest thing that might work because other people might get involved.