Backlogged Side Project Status

7 months after this post

1) Swap out my PC power supply, which currently has a 40% of not turning back on after we lose power in a thunderstorm.

I upgraded my power supply last year, but unfortunately the power issue persists. When we lose power while the computer is on, something in the motherboard keeps thinking it's already on and prevents it from being turned on again. Mysteriously, the only workaround is to move the computer to another room and plug it into a different outlet (though still on the same breaker). Once I turn it on and off there, I can bring the computer back to my office and it works fine.

2) Become fluent in a non-Java programming language (likely Python or Kotlin) in time for Advent of Code 2022.

I didn't get to this in time for last year's Advent of Code, but I have been writing a little Kotlin code every day this year. My GitHub contribution heat map looks much more exciting this year as a result.

3) Migrate away from Eclipse IDE for my polyglot projects, possibly towards something like VSCode or IntelliJ.

I've been using IntelliJ IDEA since last October. I'm equally efficient writing Java in it compared to Eclipse. The IDE is a must-have for Kotlin, though, as the suggestions and autocomplete really help me avoid creating naive code that isn't idiomatic.

4) Restart work on my open-source library, Sparkour.

No movement here, and I'm not sure I'll ever restart this. Like most open-source projects, it's hard to maintain motivation when I no longer work with those technologies anymore.

5) Update the URI! Zone's SSL handling to use free, auto-renewing Let's Encrypt certificates.

Haven't started this yet and I have another year and a half before my next renewal ($46/yr).

6) Update the URI! Zone's ancient reliance on Apache HTTPd, OpenLDAP, and Apache Tomcat, in order to learn more modern alternatives.

These are both still on my "want to do" list -- maybe in the summer or fall!

8) Migrate the Maitz & Wurts Studio Shop to a modern storefront solution.

Still on the list but on the backburner at the moment.

9) Create a mobile app that shows nearby homeowner and sales information as I walk around the neighbourhood.

My interest in this has waned since I haven't taken daily neighbourhood walks with Ian since last Fall. Maybe the warmer weather will raise this back up.

10) Reread the Wars of Light and Shadow series and post book-by-book reviews in anticipation of the final book in the series.

Going strong here -- I've reviewed 8 of 10 published books so far and hope to finish the last 2 by the end of April.

11) Reeducate myself on the current state of MIDI and wavetable synth, which has surely evolved beyond my 2001 Roland Sound Canvas, and update my old compositions currently lost in Finale file format limbo.

Backburnered.

12) Rip all of the CDs in the house into MP3s and develop a NAS-based solution to play an entire library of owned MP3s from Alexa devices throughout the house.

Gone up in priority a bit for each day that Amazon Echo gets WORSE at understanding commands or prevents me from interacting with my purchased music in the manner that I want.

And, two new projects to add the list!

13. Learn Spanish.
14. Compose music or play an instrument regularly.