Side Projects: Learning experience vs. Distraction

Re:Side Projects: Learning experience vs. Distraction by nbashaw on Tuesday April 02, 2013 @11:56AM (#5480087)

I'm also a big fan of side projects. Problem is, i'm a product guy, and the whole point of what I do is to try and make things people want. Not learn a new technology. I still haven't been able to find the right balance. Any advice?

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Re:Side Projects: Learning experience vs. Distraction by abbottry on Tuesday April 02, 2013 @12:23PM (#5480250)

I have features I've built, and entire products for that matter, that were nothing more than a Frankenstein of things I've picked out of side projects. Sometimes I learn 2 things completely separate from each other, and then 6 months down the line have a realization that those two things would be amazing together in application.

Product focused or not, there is no reason that you should prevent yourself from learning just because it doesn't have a TLD.

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Re:Side Projects: Learning experience vs. Distraction by digitalWestie on Tuesday April 02, 2013 @12:06PM (#5480136)

Do you mean the balance of time you spend on the projects ? Or a balance of playing with new-tech versus building something useful ?

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Re:Side Projects: Learning experience vs. Distraction by fourstar on Tuesday April 02, 2013 @12:06PM (#5480141)

Pick what you're good at and focus on it. You can't be good at everything.

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