If I had 'enough' free time, I'd find a way to make people pay the costs of their actions or choices, regardless of where they land in the social/economic hierarchy.
Too many people who do bad things get away with them, and too few who do good are rewarded.
This is a concerning comment. Are you thinking about doing anything which may cause harm to yourself or others?
Sorry if that sounds cliche or something but if you find yourself overly concerned with retribution then any action you take is likely to cause more harm to yourself and your loved ones than anyone from which you extract retribution.
Please feel free to discuss this with someone you trust or failing that I'm here.
If you see society's problems as caused by bad actors in an otherwise working system, I can see why you'd be so angry at individuals. I'm angry too but when I have a shelf full of bad eggs I don't whip the chickens, I call a fridge technician.
We're not born equal yet some great minds never reach their potential (I've been one of them for a good 3,5 decades). I'd love to have that problem solved, and I believe the information technology (computer, networking, etc) revolution can contribute to fix this inequality. What I'd like to do is use my 2 ct to contribute to fixing the problem. I don't believe I can fix it all by myself, but I'd love to contribute my little bit towards it.
Learning as many languages to B2 level as possible and maintaining that level as needed. B2 is the level where you "can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party." [1].
Yup, same here. Although this is definitely something you can do in your free time. I find too, that there is a cap to the number of hours or minutes you can spend working on a language per day. Kind of like working out a muscle. Of course, actually being in the country you will go past this limit out of necessity and still thrive.
I still want to do a story generator. Something that just creates a world, creates characters, creates stories between them. And from all this generates history.
Possibly with a little guidance and balancing from a human input. I'm thinking they would be useful as an assistant GM in tabletop games. Just randomly generate a character on the fly, based on existing information, but it won't be as visionary as a human would.
Write a native Slack client for OS X which has identical functionality to the official version but doesn't chew through CPU cycles like they're going out of fashion. I would call it "Slick".
I’d start with studying more math. So many other interesting doors open up as a result of better math skills. Plus it’s just gratifying for its own sake; feels like getting a deeper glimpse into the structure of the universe....
Scientific publishing has a deep problem right now with papers being published with data, algorithms, and/or code being proprietary. In addition but not always related, there is the problem of reproducing results in papers. From bad data to crafting results to have p be under 5% causes headaches for scientists and in general creates an ecosystem of bad science.
If I had enough time, I'd like to do two things:
1) Create a third party rating system where we attempt to rate the quality of the paper based on openness, reproducibility, who funded the research, data quality, etc. The hope is that researchers will not look for papers in their favorite journals, but refine their search to only quality papers.
2) In a similar vain to the above, have a company that does nothing but tries to reproduce experiments in papers. I think this would be a ton of fun and provide great value to the world. Where funding would come from however is unknown...
I’d love to work professionally doing music production, composition, and sound engineering, especially for films and video games. I also like doing music transcription and transposition because I have a decent ear and use it to learn a lot of the music that I play (ps I’m a classically trained pianist of over 20 years).
Personally, I’d like to be in better shape. I’m not in horrible shape but I definitely do not have the time currently to undertake any sort of consistent exercise routine.
you don’t have 40 minutes a day for 3 days out of the week? That’s all the exercise-time it takes to get in great “athletic” shape. With visible results in only a few months to half a year (you may or may not be where you want to be at that time, but you will see results and progress in the mirror)
Systematize online business creation. For example, if you have an idea for a product, it helps you raise money, develop prototypes, find manufacturer, build ecommerce site, do fulfillment, and online marketing.
I've been trying to work on this for years but never had enough time and always lost steam. So here goes:
I want to build a markdown editor that's built for writer powerusers. My idea was that it'd function as a "writing IDE" with some of the following features:
1. storing metadata about a markdown file using the MOML[1] format
2. ability to quickly search through an entire project (a book, blog posts for a site, etc.)
3. plugin support (such as for spell-checking, grammar-checking)
4. auto-detecting character/scene/location names and linking them together (eg. if a character named "John" shows up, you can hover over them to see other places they're at)
5. robust project structure -- ability to separate story from research from character/location descriptions
6. export using pandoc into epub/mobi/html/whatever format
7. despite all the features -- it's all plain markdown so you can sync it via dropbox/drive/onedrive/git
8. ability to run specific commands on the text you're editing. Similar to how in VS Code you can run format or other commands on the current code file.
9. clean/empty interface
10. autosave to temp location in case of a crash
I've already started on this and have a functional version of it called OMEN[2] and have a simple design up on my blog [3].
And yeah...I wrote half a book on my OMEN prototype. I had to switch when I realized that I didn't have autosave...and didn't have the Ctrl+S shortcut implemented yet.
My other project would be a game I've been designing for a while. It's like Diablo I mixed with Stardew Valley. Eg. your objective is to crawl through a dungeon but it's not as serious/dark and has a crafting/home aspect to it. I've worked up a game design, character design, etc. just never had time to build it.
If I had enough time, I would start a software design company focusing primarily on disabilities. All the current accessibility features are afterthoughts.
Honestly? Pretty much everything. And thus in effect I get nothing done in my current level of free time as I'm jumping back and forth between dozens of fun projects.
I'm aware this may not be a satisfying answer, but it's the truth, for better or for worse.
It's satisfying for me, it's an honest answer, and as good as any other.
With enough free time there wouldn't be much need for a direction. And after a while I would probably figure out something I liked doing more than other things.
Only issue is that in my eyes, enough is probably pretty close to immortality.
Largely because I would like to understand the breathd of the human condition, and how language makes us think differently. That probably requires getting to native speaking ability in maybe 100’s of languages, and also the patience to wait for the likely needed cognitive augmentation to be able to do that.
I would also very much like to visit a few stars and nebulae, which could take a while.
If I only had a couple of decades or so, I might take a stab at building tools to make programming the job it should be, but isn't now.
Definitely this (AGPL):
I heavily use a tool I've mentioned before, which I wrote (after trying org-mode, collapsible outlines in other tools, etc). It uses postgres, and I hope that "sharing" data exchange features are coming (though it already does export to org-mode-like text, and to html). Best code is that in github, though a downloadable .jar is available. Currently keyboard and desktop-only (text-oriented). The most efficient/effective thing I have found for notes/lists/details of all kinds, and should be easy to learn to use, as all the essentials are on the screen. There is a tutorial.
[updated, to add:] Part of the eventual purpose of the tool is to help individuals and mentors via maturity models that apply more generally to life before getting into any particular topic. That could easily be misunderstood, and there is more about that at the web site (below). Part of the idea is to help in the development/growth of self and others -- skills, knowledge, positive character traits, anything good -- in any area of life that one chooses, so we can have good goals instead of trying to make life seem fulfilling with empty searching for more pleasure/power/attention.
By marking things done or "archived", it also provides a journal feature or personal log, of entries created or archived in any date range (defaulting to "yesterday and so far, today", to help with daily standup reporting).
I do a lot of music right now, because I feel like I have a whole separate emotional energy reserve for that.
If I had more free time though I’d like to think I would work more on the browser I’ve been writing along with other small side projects (d&d charecter sheet validator, open street map renderer etc.) and maybe try to teach myself more math.
I’d also spend more time at art museums and hanging out with my friends though which I’d argue is at least equally important but probably more important.
Oh man, so much. This side project that has been perpetually at the back of my mind [1], spend more time biking and kayaking w/ the kids, maybe take up FPV drone racing.
Love this idea. I think the next level would be to pool together different people's uncommonly used items (e.g. camping tent) to let other people in their community "borrow" them.
What's stopping you from working on this, just out of interest?
I don't know if this is even possible but before I dive into what I would like to explain why(Read next para if you want to read what):
A large number of engineers today at least in India are writing the same CRUD applications again and again. I can't believe we haven't reach a level of abstraction where people who needs these app are able to design themselves. This would save tonne of man hours. I have seen so many companies implementing the same employee management, payroll systems, sometimes their own internal social networks. Heck, some are implementing their own email clients because the companies who are selling email services charge a lot. If only we had open source alternatives to these system as that of the grade of Linux kernel, a large number of engineers can start working on more pressing issues.
So I would like to build open source alternative to the systems like employee management, payroll management, student management, hospital management, email services, hotel management,etc. Anyone who wants variations in their system can tweak it making small code changes. Ultimately hoping to reach a level of abstraction where we won't need engineers to code every small business case.
I have one project predicting cryptocurrency prices which makes money https://bitbank.nz, the games have no ads/attempt to charge and are more a labour of love :D
given more time i would venture into higher end 3D games and AI's, i also like to make things educational so i would love to make something biologically accurate, there are so many complex systems in real world biology that would make great games e.g for example a game centred around the life of one of these animals: meercat, beaver, bug/spider, ants.... the list goes on :D
I would start a business focusing on one of the things I really care about; education for special needs children and bullying. I don't believe in the whole "reinvent everything" stuff that most tech founders proclaim, I would look into working together with people who already work on these issues and see if there's something I could do to innovate on 5% of the process to make it more efficient.
I had a very tough time as a kid because of mild autism, my baby sister has it even worse. I never got much of the help I needed as a child and felt very miserable. My hometown and my parents are much richer today and my sister has gotten a lot of help but I still feel there has to be something one can do to make this better. I was fortunate in discovering my love of math as an adult, and the perseverance to become an engineer, most people weren't as fortunate. I feel an obligation to help the children with special needs in schools today to make them feel safer, respected and empowered in a way childhood me never did.
[+] [-] malloreon|7 years ago|reply
If I had 'enough' free time, I'd find a way to make people pay the costs of their actions or choices, regardless of where they land in the social/economic hierarchy.
Too many people who do bad things get away with them, and too few who do good are rewarded.
[+] [-] ilovetux|7 years ago|reply
Sorry if that sounds cliche or something but if you find yourself overly concerned with retribution then any action you take is likely to cause more harm to yourself and your loved ones than anyone from which you extract retribution.
Please feel free to discuss this with someone you trust or failing that I'm here.
[+] [-] firethief|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] nolite|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Fnoord|7 years ago|reply
We're not born equal yet some great minds never reach their potential (I've been one of them for a good 3,5 decades). I'd love to have that problem solved, and I believe the information technology (computer, networking, etc) revolution can contribute to fix this inequality. What I'd like to do is use my 2 ct to contribute to fixing the problem. I don't believe I can fix it all by myself, but I'd love to contribute my little bit towards it.
[+] [-] trendia|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wallflower|7 years ago|reply
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_R...
[+] [-] throw_this_one|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] muzani|7 years ago|reply
Possibly with a little guidance and balancing from a human input. I'm thinking they would be useful as an assistant GM in tabletop games. Just randomly generate a character on the fly, based on existing information, but it won't be as visionary as a human would.
[+] [-] mcjiggerlog|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sopooneo|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] greggman|7 years ago|reply
http://www.storytron.com/
[+] [-] peterkelly|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wallflower|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Fnoord|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Spartan-S63|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] NickM|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] valgor|7 years ago|reply
If I had enough time, I'd like to do two things:
1) Create a third party rating system where we attempt to rate the quality of the paper based on openness, reproducibility, who funded the research, data quality, etc. The hope is that researchers will not look for papers in their favorite journals, but refine their search to only quality papers.
2) In a similar vain to the above, have a company that does nothing but tries to reproduce experiments in papers. I think this would be a ton of fun and provide great value to the world. Where funding would come from however is unknown...
[+] [-] LyndsySimon|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] finaliteration|7 years ago|reply
Personally, I’d like to be in better shape. I’m not in horrible shape but I definitely do not have the time currently to undertake any sort of consistent exercise routine.
[+] [-] mygo|7 years ago|reply
the rest is nutrition.
[+] [-] ahsueme|7 years ago|reply
Similar for sass.
[+] [-] sztanko|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wtvanhest|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] antjanus|7 years ago|reply
I want to build a markdown editor that's built for writer powerusers. My idea was that it'd function as a "writing IDE" with some of the following features:
1. storing metadata about a markdown file using the MOML[1] format
2. ability to quickly search through an entire project (a book, blog posts for a site, etc.)
3. plugin support (such as for spell-checking, grammar-checking)
4. auto-detecting character/scene/location names and linking them together (eg. if a character named "John" shows up, you can hover over them to see other places they're at)
5. robust project structure -- ability to separate story from research from character/location descriptions
6. export using pandoc into epub/mobi/html/whatever format
7. despite all the features -- it's all plain markdown so you can sync it via dropbox/drive/onedrive/git
8. ability to run specific commands on the text you're editing. Similar to how in VS Code you can run format or other commands on the current code file.
9. clean/empty interface
10. autosave to temp location in case of a crash
I've already started on this and have a functional version of it called OMEN[2] and have a simple design up on my blog [3].
And yeah...I wrote half a book on my OMEN prototype. I had to switch when I realized that I didn't have autosave...and didn't have the Ctrl+S shortcut implemented yet.
[1] https://github.com/AntJanus/MOML [2] https://github.com/AntJanus/omen [3] https://antjanus.com/blog/dev-updates/dev-update-1/
My other project would be a game I've been designing for a while. It's like Diablo I mixed with Stardew Valley. Eg. your objective is to crawl through a dungeon but it's not as serious/dark and has a crafting/home aspect to it. I've worked up a game design, character design, etc. just never had time to build it.
[+] [-] farazy|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mig4ng|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] theprotocol|7 years ago|reply
I'm aware this may not be a satisfying answer, but it's the truth, for better or for worse.
[+] [-] mickronome|7 years ago|reply
With enough free time there wouldn't be much need for a direction. And after a while I would probably figure out something I liked doing more than other things.
Only issue is that in my eyes, enough is probably pretty close to immortality. Largely because I would like to understand the breathd of the human condition, and how language makes us think differently. That probably requires getting to native speaking ability in maybe 100’s of languages, and also the patience to wait for the likely needed cognitive augmentation to be able to do that.
I would also very much like to visit a few stars and nebulae, which could take a while.
If I only had a couple of decades or so, I might take a stab at building tools to make programming the job it should be, but isn't now.
[+] [-] lcall|7 years ago|reply
[updated, to add:] Part of the eventual purpose of the tool is to help individuals and mentors via maturity models that apply more generally to life before getting into any particular topic. That could easily be misunderstood, and there is more about that at the web site (below). Part of the idea is to help in the development/growth of self and others -- skills, knowledge, positive character traits, anything good -- in any area of life that one chooses, so we can have good goals instead of trying to make life seem fulfilling with empty searching for more pleasure/power/attention.
By marking things done or "archived", it also provides a journal feature or personal log, of entries created or archived in any date range (defaulting to "yesterday and so far, today", to help with daily standup reporting).
http://onemodel.org
Feedback welcome. Thanks.
[+] [-] swiley|7 years ago|reply
If I had more free time though I’d like to think I would work more on the browser I’ve been writing along with other small side projects (d&d charecter sheet validator, open street map renderer etc.) and maybe try to teach myself more math.
I’d also spend more time at art museums and hanging out with my friends though which I’d argue is at least equally important but probably more important.
[+] [-] anotheryou|7 years ago|reply
- finally learn data science (and more python along with it)
[+] [-] grahamburger|7 years ago|reply
[1] https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQw1TPPvVvMu3Lee...
[+] [-] refrigerator|7 years ago|reply
What's stopping you from working on this, just out of interest?
[+] [-] rohan1024|7 years ago|reply
A large number of engineers today at least in India are writing the same CRUD applications again and again. I can't believe we haven't reach a level of abstraction where people who needs these app are able to design themselves. This would save tonne of man hours. I have seen so many companies implementing the same employee management, payroll systems, sometimes their own internal social networks. Heck, some are implementing their own email clients because the companies who are selling email services charge a lot. If only we had open source alternatives to these system as that of the grade of Linux kernel, a large number of engineers can start working on more pressing issues.
So I would like to build open source alternative to the systems like employee management, payroll management, student management, hospital management, email services, hotel management,etc. Anyone who wants variations in their system can tweak it making small code changes. Ultimately hoping to reach a level of abstraction where we won't need engineers to code every small business case.
[+] [-] murukesh_s|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lee101|7 years ago|reply
I have one project predicting cryptocurrency prices which makes money https://bitbank.nz, the games have no ads/attempt to charge and are more a labour of love :D
given more time i would venture into higher end 3D games and AI's, i also like to make things educational so i would love to make something biologically accurate, there are so many complex systems in real world biology that would make great games e.g for example a game centred around the life of one of these animals: meercat, beaver, bug/spider, ants.... the list goes on :D
[+] [-] pimmen|7 years ago|reply
I had a very tough time as a kid because of mild autism, my baby sister has it even worse. I never got much of the help I needed as a child and felt very miserable. My hometown and my parents are much richer today and my sister has gotten a lot of help but I still feel there has to be something one can do to make this better. I was fortunate in discovering my love of math as an adult, and the perseverance to become an engineer, most people weren't as fortunate. I feel an obligation to help the children with special needs in schools today to make them feel safer, respected and empowered in a way childhood me never did.
[+] [-] fillskills|7 years ago|reply