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Ask HN: Most interesting tech you built for just yourself?

1901 points l2silver | 3 comments | 27 Apr 23 15:04 UTC | HN request time: 0.01s | source

Maybe you've created your own AR program for wearables that shows the definition of a word when you highlight it IRL, or you've built a personal calendar app for your family to display on a monitor in the kitchen. Whatever it is, I'd love to hear it.
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codpiece ◴[28 Apr 23 14:54 UTC] No.35742026[source]▶
Not sure if it counts as tech, but I created a voiceboard for my mother to help her communicate while in hospice. She had a massive stroke and could no longer speak.

I thought of a tablet app, but the stakes were too high, so it wound up as a laminated paper. You can read about my design decisions here:

https://voiceboard.org

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epiccoleman ◴[28 Apr 23 15:28 UTC] No.35742440[source]▶
This absolutely counts. This is such a great testament to how simple engineering and thoughtful design can do good in the world. You're a good son!

Is there a reason besides preventing commercial use that you don't just have a PDF link on your site?

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codpiece ◴[28 Apr 23 16:24 UTC] No.35743498[source]▶
I tailor them upon request. I would like to make a self-serve site, but don't have the time or skills. I would prefer to give this away, people are usually in their worst moments, so a little generosity makes me feel like I make the world a better place.
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jholman ◴[29 Apr 23 08:29 UTC] No.35751156[source]▶
Your website is covered in "contact me", but I see no contact information, and your HN profile is similarly anonymous. Sorry, I couldn't figure it out.

I don't know what skills you lack, but if they're web development skills, and if you want some help with your wonderful project, my email is in my profile. I cannot, alas, do anything about your insufficient-time problem.

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1. codpiece ◴[29 Apr 23 19:10 UTC] No.35756089[source]▶
Huh. You are right. I think stress and grief caused me to overlook the obvious; - post a 'contact us' if you want people to contact you, and - post a downloadable PDF if you want people to use it.

I guess this is why doctors don't treat loved ones. I was doing outreach, it never occurred to me to go back and check my site with fresh eyes. I wonder how many people I missed helping.

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2. jholman ◴[30 Apr 23 07:29 UTC] No.35760379[source]▶
Whoa, whoa, that sounds like you're beating yourself up, and please don't. Maybe I screwed up the tone of my prior comment (if so, sorry!)

A downloadable PDF would be more useful, sure, but already with what's up there, relatively-low-skill users could print the whole page and cut it up. And higher-skill users can read it to follow your thinking to get inspiration and kick-start their work on a similar solution. So even if you never add one more thing to that site, and even if all that happens is half a dozen people a year randomly find it by lucky google query, it's STILL a meaningful contribution to other people that you've made your thinking and your output available. You're already doing good work, both for your mom and for strangers who you'll never know you've reached.

Hugs for you, internet person, and high fives.

And, again, if you want any help with making a dynamic version, hit me up, email in profile. I'd be proud if I got to help this project in any way.

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3. codpiece ◴[01 May 23 04:38 UTC] No.35769144[source]▶
Thank you, you are very kind! I will contact you shortly, I would love to make this happen!