The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Building software for yourself (Interview)

Aug 23, 2021

In this engaging discussion, Linus Lee, a software engineer at IdeaFlow known for creating the Ink programming language and Monocle search engine, shares insights on building software for personal needs. He delves into the unique challenges of developing a personal programming language and the learning benefits of open-source projects. Linus highlights how side projects foster creativity and career growth, while also emphasizing the importance of personal knowledge management with tools like Monocle, advocating for user privacy and innovative solutions.

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ANECDOTE

Discovery of Linus Lee

Linus Lee, known as Thessifist online, was discovered through his project Monocle.
Monocle is a personal search engine written in Ink, Linus's own programming language.

INSIGHT

Side Projects as Learning

Linus Lee uses side projects as a learning method and to address personal needs.
His projects aren't monetized and are primarily for personal use.

ANECDOTE

Ink's Origin

Linus Lee created the Ink programming language after a college project sparked his interest in interpreters.
Ink is inspired by Go, JavaScript, and Lua and evolved organically as Linus added tools like a syntax highlighter and compiler.

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Today we’re talking to Linus Lee about the practice of building software for yourself. Linus has several side projects we could talk about, but today’s show is focused on Linus’ dynamically typed functional programming language called Ink that he used to write his full text personal search engine called Monocle.

Linus is focused on writing software that solves his own needs, all of which is open source, to help him learn more deeply and organize the knowledge of his life.

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Featuring:

Linus Lee – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, X
Adam Stacoviak – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X
Jerod Santo – GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X

Show Notes:

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!