Hanselminutes with Scott Hanselman cover image

Hanselminutes with Scott Hanselman

Life as an Indie Developer with Joseph Finney

Sep 19, 2024
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.
33:19

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Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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