Programming started as a hobby for me as a teenager. I always “liked computers” so thought I’d give it a try. I never intended to make a career out of it because it seemed so hard at first, but over a decade later, I’m decently accomplished in my field and get paid bank for it.
As a hobby, it’s fantastic. You can add in missing features to open source software you use (including the one I’m posting this to right now!). You can make your own little apps to fill niches you haven’t found an existing program for. You can automate boring stuff from other work. You can make mods for certain types of video games. Or if you’re really ambitious, you can even make a video game (but I gotta tell you, video games are hard and need much more than just programming – I do not recommend making video games as a goal unless you’ve thought out just what that involves).
If you make a career out of it later, cool. But even if you don’t, it’s a fun and rewarding hobby that costs almost nothing. As long as you have a computer (preferably not a mobile phone, though it’s technically possible to use a phone), you can program. Hardware doesn’t generally matter. Any cheap laptop works. All the tools you need have free and often open source ones you can use. You only need to pay for web hosting if you make a web tool and want to share it with others.
Taking a break from making a video game to read this thread lol, you are not wrong about that part! Or any part, actually, programming is awesome and even outside of using it for work it’s come in handy at least a little bit in every other hobby I’ve ever done. Up to and including knitting.
Meanwhile my dumbass has been trying to be even remotely functional with programming. A degree and a software dev job later I still don’t think I really get it.
There are many free (static) web hostings: GitHub Pages, Azure, Vercel, and so on.
On the rest of your comment, I agree
Same. Been a hobby since I was 13 back in 1984. 39 years later, I’m still doing my hobby and being paid for it. I’ve made a career out of it. Although, I’ve done it so much I no longer do it as a hobby. It’s just too much. If I never saw another computer or programming language again for the rest of my life, I don’t think I’d mind. Hoping to retire within the decade.
Programming is great.
On that note, kinda similar: Selfhost your services. There is a lot of cool software that you can run on your old computer, or on a more dedicated machine. A file storage, a media server, your very own AI server, the lost is endless.
It’s not free, but you have to pay for it no matter what, so it kinda is, but cooking. Everyone should learn the basics of navigating a kitchen and the basic terminology.
Singing and dancing are both learnable free. Art in general tends to be cheaper. Usually anyway.
Intellectual skills are all fair game, there’s wide availability online. You need to start with Information Literacy though, to kinda unlock the rest. Otherwise you’ll waste too much time on bullshit.
I kind of resent the whole “celebrity chef shows you how to cook” media thing because it makes something that should be approachable seen really intimidating for a beginner
Since I’ve begun “trying” in the kitchen, I eat way healthier than ever before, and most of my meals are better and cheaper than restaurant equivalents.
Touch typing.
I’ve been practicing this. In 30 years when computer input is primarily voice and touchscreens, we’ll be the only ones left. It’ll be like knowing how to use Morse code with a wireless telegraph.
Touch typing is an absolute must, and I can’t imagine how anybody uses a keyboard without it. Though it is fun to see people’s reactions as you stare them in the face to hold a conversation while never breaking your keystrokes.
Recently I got a CharaChorder though, so I have to completely relearn typing. I definitely forgot how hard it can be at first.
do birds fly? do ducks duck?
I learned the basics of 3D printing and Fusion 360 (CAD software) via youtube. And the 3D printing has gotten easier since I learned.
3d printing without basic cad skills is almost useless imo. I use freecad now but I’ve made tons of useful precision fit things using tinkercad.
programming
I just recently took up cross stitching. You can learn all the basics for free on YouTube and there are tons of cross stitching communities online and there are tons of free patterns online too. All the supplies you need at first are some thread, some Aida cloth and needles. When I started I got a stitching hoop too I think my total investment was about $20.
Well hey fancy seeing you here 😄
It is my sworn duty to drop the community link wherever it’s relevant so please don’t mind me jumping on your comment.
!lemmy_stitch@sh.itjust.works <-- we have cute cross stitch, satanic cross stitch, occasional embroidery, and at least once we’ve accidentally had crochet too!
I’m working on some new pieces now so hopefully I’ll have something else to post soon!
This is an animated site for teaching you how to tie different knots.
With a piece of string and perhaps a few wooden dowels, you can teach yourself a variety of useful knots for different needs.
Thank you for this rabbit hole.
Saying grace before you tie a bowline.
Mental math. People overcomplicate how difficult things are but quickly calculating numbers and percentages is a super useful skill that’ll save you a lot of time.
Warning - incoming Redditcomment©®™
Uh, that’s mental arithmetic, not maths
Snorts
Learn a new language. Tons of free resources online. Borrow books or audiobooks from your local library. Make friends with others interested in learning and teaching each other new languages.
This
You can teach yourself how to change the oil on your car simply by watching YouTube videos. And then all you need to buy are a few basic supplies, and you’ll be able to change your oil for life. Oil changes are either absurdly expensive (dealership) or done half-assed (Jiffy Lube), so doing it yourself gives you a job done right for pennies on the dollar.
And if you find that you have a knack for it, you can teach yourself more basic maintenance jobs like changing brake pads.
Also, if you have a warehouse membership from like Sam’s Club or Costco, they often have the synthetic oil you need for an absurdly low price.
I was buying 5 quarts of oil for like $20-30, I bought a 4 pack of Costco brand 5 quart motor oil for like $40
I took more stupid long to realize you bought 20 qts of oil from Costco And not 5. Guess I need to learn that mental math stuff from earlier in the thread.
Please correct me if I’m wrong because I am by now means a car repair afficionado, but isn’t disposing of oil supposed to be the problematic part of the oil change? At least from what I heard, getting rid of it in a legal/safe manner is difficult for individuals doing their own oil changes.
Its a total pain in the ass and the most annoying part. Usually you can take it to an auto parts store in your area that has a container you can dump it. But half the time its full and isnt emptied for weeks.
In the US, all AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts will dispose of your oil for free. Also, most municipalities will take it at special centers (same place where you might go to dispose of electronics).
Personally I have a designated where I let the oil collect from multiple oil changes, and then I take it to the county landfill maybe once every two years when there’s enough to justify a trip.
It’s a small hassle, but worth it IMO. Just depends on what is available to you.
Depends, define free and define useful. ;)
You can learn a lot by reading up and watching YT vids. I already did my own car maintenance (started as hobby, now it’s a necessity, car mechanics cost twice/trice my hourly wage), but didn’t know how to replace the fuelpump on this modern car. Garage quoted €500, part was 109, special tool 79, seals 5 each (2). Replaced it myself in 4h.
I’m also learning to play bass guitar with the help of YT (already have the bass), painted my house, replaced kitchen and parts in bathroom including plumbing,… None of DIY things for free, but cheaper then hiring somebody to do these task. Even when you count your hourly wage, most of those tasks can be done cheaper yourself.
When you want no investment at all, languages are very useful to learn, at least when you meet others speaking those languages. Learning to setup a computer with free software is usefull as well (saves cash, so eeven better then free ;) ).
At this moment in time, in most pasrts of Europe and the USA, labour is the most expensive part of everything, so I’d say everything you can learn to do yourself is worth investing some time and maybe some cash in. Nothing wrong with hobbies that can save cash in the long run.
If you have a patch of soil with good sun exposure you can learn how to grow your own food. It’s not free but you can be very thrifty while doing it. Huw Richards has published a nice book on the cheapest ways to garden.
Next time something breaks, try repairing it. Pull it apart and look for whats broken, google if you need info or ideas on fixing the problem, and go for it. Worst case scenario you can’t fix something that wasn’t working, best case scenario you’ve saved something from the scrap pile. Either way you’ll have a little bit of knowledge you didn’t already, maybe some skills
Unless it has to do with electrical wiring or anything dangerous. Part of learning to repair is knowing your limits!
You can learn how to make a donut: https://youtu.be/nIoXOplUvAw
All hail Blender Guru!
Check out The Odin Project. It is a free full stack developer course. I’m going to give it a try myself.
