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In order to graduate from my high school, all seniors must complete a 60+ hour project where they demonstrate some sort of new learning. Classic projects include cooking, photography, and learning to play an instrument. After some of the logistics from my first idea prevented it from working out, I am in search of a new project. I want to do something with computers/technology but am not sure what. Some kids are doing programming projects but I have no prior knowledge and feel that I would only be able to gain a very limited understanding of programming by the end of the project that couldn't be applied to something "cool" or that I could benefit from (like say, creating an iOS app for the App Store). In other words, I want to really gain something from this 60+ hour project that I can use. My first thought was learning to use Linux as this could positively change the way I use computers (if I liked it) but I don't see 60 hours coming from that. Help!! |
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Linux isn't hard to use. That is, if you choose an easy distribution(Like Ubuntu, my favorite). Even if you choose a harder distro, it will still not take too long to master. What would be really cool would be to create your own distro from scratch. (Linux being Open Source) You'd need to take the kernel, add x, add other services, add drivers, etc. You would probably learn a lot. If that is too hard, you could always modify an existing distribution (Debian is a popular one to modify). Linux is all about taking other people's work and making it better. If you want to make an iOS app, you have to have a Mac (that ruined it for me) and to get on the actually app store you have to pay $99 and make it through Apple's painstaking app approval progress. As awesome as that sounds, I would imagine that creating a Linux distro would involve a tremendous amount of programming and like I said, I have no experience. I like the idea of building/creating something though. I think finding something satisfying that main goal could be my best bet in finding a successful project. 1
You could custom-build computers for people, but it may be hard to find buyers. That requires virtually no programming skills, you'd just have to invest a little. You could also put Linux on them and show them how to use it. Linux Mint is the beset distro for people used to windows. 1
That's not a bad idea. I've built computers before and could definitely do that (though I would probably just leave out the part regarding Linux for the sake of simplicity. My project doesn't need to include Linux after all). My only concern is the one you highlighted: it would be difficult to find buyers. Good ideas so far though, I appreciate it! |
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You could build an inexpensive yet how quality basic but quite functional computer with dual monitors that demonstrates the usefulness of having dual monitors. |
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If you are interested in "Programming", why not build a website that talks about your project. In other words, the website would be a page by page tour of you learning and developing. Although you would be learning and using html which is a markup language and not actually programming, you would still be learning to talk to a computer in a language that it understands. It opens many doors. I started with html and moved to CSS and eventually javascript. I am now learning Java and then moving to Perl. You can start with basic html, use CSS for styling and build a cool site in no time that explains the learning process and the knowledge you have gained. Add some pictures, design some basic graphics, and you're off. Everything I have stated so far requires notepad and mspaint. No expensive downloads or purchases. Here's a website to help get you started. There's a ton of information here. http://www.w3schools.com/ There's more sites available. You may not choose this idea however I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose. |
