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by mlhpdx·3y ago·view on hn ↗
I love programming (not just playing with code) and making excellent things with code, and electronics and mechanisms. I get paid to be good at it and help others do so as well, and I love that, too.

All that said, the author’s warning is well heeded. There are things I’ve built and run at my own expense. They could be commercialized, but that bit doesn’t seem like fun to me (I don’t need the money, so there isn’t a problem there to solve). I could give them to someone who would commercialize them, but that would create problems for the new owners and old users - so again, not fun.

Perhaps there is room for both - pure fun and enjoyment without obligation or commitment, as well as the commercial tangible benefit to others (i.e. paid for).

1 comments
What do you do where you get paid to make things with code, electronics, and mechanisms?

I've built puzzles for escape rooms but there's just not enough money in escape rooms for it to be worth it.

I rarely get to work at all three. I think that is a manifestation of my principles - when getting paid I don’t feel like what I want to do comes into play as much as what my employer needs. When they do, it’s awesome.

Right now it’s two of three (SaaS + embedded) and that’s cool with me.