@Tiffany recently started a thread about the "good old days" to discuss technology in sailing. This got me thinking ...
I am a (semi?) retired software engineer and general tech-nerd. I am always looking for ways to solve problems with technology or to create technology in search of a problem. I just like the process. (Admittedly, when it comes to sailing, I am pretty hypocritical. On one hand, I shun attempts to bring technology aboard. On the other hand, I spend a fair amount of energy thinking about or developing technology for exactly that purpose.)
Over the years, I have looked for a project that marries up my love of sailing with my penchant for developing hardware and software. Invariably, I find that the ideas I come up with sound like good ideas but aren't especially useful in reality. For example, one pet project is a system that allows folks to file float plans and have automated actions if a person becomes overdue. It sounds like a good idea but, in reality, few people would actually use it. Even I wouldn't.
I have another couple of projects involving man-overboard situations (MOB detection and retrieval). Again, I find that they may be useful in a very narrow context for a handful of people, most are quite happy with current solutions. (Tangentially, I think that most people are blissfully ignorant of the utter inadequacy of current MOB solutions, but it isn't in my wheelhouse to convince people of this.)
So, I thought I would put it out there to the community. What are problems that you find actually need solving?
I am a (semi?) retired software engineer and general tech-nerd. I am always looking for ways to solve problems with technology or to create technology in search of a problem. I just like the process. (Admittedly, when it comes to sailing, I am pretty hypocritical. On one hand, I shun attempts to bring technology aboard. On the other hand, I spend a fair amount of energy thinking about or developing technology for exactly that purpose.)
Over the years, I have looked for a project that marries up my love of sailing with my penchant for developing hardware and software. Invariably, I find that the ideas I come up with sound like good ideas but aren't especially useful in reality. For example, one pet project is a system that allows folks to file float plans and have automated actions if a person becomes overdue. It sounds like a good idea but, in reality, few people would actually use it. Even I wouldn't.
I have another couple of projects involving man-overboard situations (MOB detection and retrieval). Again, I find that they may be useful in a very narrow context for a handful of people, most are quite happy with current solutions. (Tangentially, I think that most people are blissfully ignorant of the utter inadequacy of current MOB solutions, but it isn't in my wheelhouse to convince people of this.)
So, I thought I would put it out there to the community. What are problems that you find actually need solving?