Programmer Creativity?

Maybe make something that would automatically organize your files and folders based on random criteria?

What I mean is, just grab something you already have and smush it with something else and voila. Fun little project, and maybe useful at the same time.

Make your own to-do list/alert thingy where you can add anything you want and it will alert you when it’s due. For example: you can add your favorite tv shows and it will tell you when they’re about to come on.

A really good open source wysiwyg web page editor that has full support for CSS.

@everyone – thanks for the replies, guys. I really like some of those ideas. I think one of the things I read out there is to just start coding – similar to a way of beating writer’s block: start writing. Though the “left handed” side of me wants to plan everything and then “boom” go code; it’s a struggle sometimes. heh.

Hey there! What type of coding do you do? I have an open source php helpdesk ive been meaning to finish for a while now. Could always use an extra hand! Some pics are on SF at http://sourceforge.net/projects/coldbrewhelpdes/

One thing you might do is take on an apprentice… speaking as one who’s been in the technology world, worked the business side of things, gotten laid off, and who’s exploring what my next big thing should be… I find that helping others advance as a mentor has done wonders for amping up my motivation.

On the flip side of that, I’ve always had an interest in coding and was even formally educated to program when I getting an earlier degree… but that aspect of my knowledge has never taken off. So, in this respect, as I’m jumping in to exercise muscles that have atrophieda bit – I’m actually on the mentee side of things… and the learning has also been rejuvenating.

Turning 40 in this economy, and being forced to rethink what I want to do/be/get involved in… has given me an interesting perspective to questions like this.

Try learning a new language? I think phoenyx asked a question a while back about new languages to learn.

It’s best to find something you really like… are there any open source projects you want to package? Or work on? Or maybe it’s time to learn about something you’ve already wanted to learn about… maybe take a robotics class?

Whatever you do, the most important thing is to find a project you’re passionate about—even if it’s a two day thing. That will help you get started.

Oh, and also, since you enjoy planning… what about finding a board or card game and coding it up? The great thing about games is that they’re so well defined—it’s easy to get a framework up and running. Good luck!

What I have been doing lately is taking programs I find online, and try recreating them from scratch. I find it challenging, and it forces me to investigate things I wouldn’t have thought about previously.

I’m a newbie programmer, but what got me going was creating a game. You have to think what the user would be thinking and once I started, I didn’t want to stop. Although you are much more experienced so I’m sure its not as challenging for you. I would say, look at things that are out there and create something similar but better.

Another thing to look at is addons for other programs/webapps. Maybe a firefox addon or something. Just work on something that you and other people will enjoy :)