Joseph Finney, an indie developer with a background in mechanical engineering, shares his journey from side projects to full-time app development. He dives into the challenges of solo work versus collaboration and the importance of user feedback. Finney discusses the spoon theory for energy management and the emotional rollercoaster of receiving app reviews. He also tackles the complexities of app submissions for Windows and Apple platforms and highlights community support, technological innovations, and the need to balance creativity with the demands of the indie developer landscape.
Joseph Finney's transition from mechanical engineering to indie app development highlights the importance of solving real-world problems through software innovation.
Finney emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a support network and engaging in diverse projects to avoid burnout as a solo developer.
Deep dives
The Journey from Engineering to App Development
Joe Finney transitioned from a mechanical engineer to an indie app developer, driven by a long-standing fascination with software. His initial foray into coding began with creating a unique vacation lottery software at work, designed to manage time-off requests based on various priorities. This experience sparked a deeper interest in coding, leading him to develop a Windows phone app and eventually a user-friendly calendar application. Over the years, his journey has been characterized by solving real-world problems through software, allowing him to evolve his skills and broaden his project scope.
Managing the Burden of Solo Development
Developing apps as a one-person team presents unique challenges, especially in terms of managing time and resources. Finney highlighted the difficulty in finding reliable help, suggesting that the time spent searching for collaborators often outweighs the benefits of their assistance. Although he is aware that this can result in compromises on design and architecture, he remains confident that his work is 'good enough' while maintaining a focus on time management. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of maximizing productivity without overwhelming oneself with the complexities of collaboration.
Navigating User Feedback and App Store Dynamics
Dealing with user reviews can be a significant part of maintaining indie apps, especially when most feedback occurs in app stores without a proper dialogue. Finney noted a stark contrast between reviews for professional and consumer-focused apps, where consumers often provide binary feedback based on their experiences, whether related to the app or the platform. This dynamic can impact an indie developer's mental health, as low ratings may not accurately reflect the quality of an app. However, he finds validation and motivation in the supportive feedback from fellow developers who understand the complexities involved in software creation.
Balancing Indie Development with Personal Life
To avoid burnout as a one-man shop, Finney emphasizes the importance of maintaining a support network outside the tech world and engaging in hobbies unrelated to app development. He manages his energy by diversifying his projects, allowing him to switch focus based on what excites him at the moment. This approach fosters creativity and prevents fatigue, as he can pivot to different apps instead of getting bogged down by one challenging project. Recognizing the significance of mental wellness, he articulates the concept of 'spoon theory,' which helps him gauge his available energy for tasks effectively.
Joseph Finney is a mechanical engineer by day and a software developer by night. He talks to Scott about how being an indie developer has improved his life, taught him a ton, in how he put applications in the Apple App store, the Google play store, and the Microsoft store. Some of the apps are big and complicated come up and some of the apps are applets, but all of them serve a purpose and solve a specific problem. Joeseph lives experimenting with different ways to solve common problems and have a passion for designing software which makes computers more natural to use.