Ask Slashdot: Making Side-Money As a Programmer?

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Ask Slashdot: Making Side-Money As a Programmer?

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday February 12, 2013 @06:53AM from the let-me-talk-to-you-about-fractions-of-pennies dept.

earlzdotnet writes "I've been programming for a few years now, and I have a full time job. I'm one of those lucky souls that actually enjoy programming, so I commonly work on my own open source projects on weekends. However, I wouldn't mind working on a short-term projects (i.e. not more than ~2 months) every once in a while on weekends. I've looked at freelancing before, and I could probably make more money by working at McDonald's on weekends than that. I've also looked into making web sites for small businesses, but it requires a bit too much commitment and support for me, especially since I'm terrible at graphics design. I've tried my hand at writing reusable components to sell to other programmers, but that was pretty pointless (I made one $20 sale). I've seen teaching suggested, but I'm self-taught and probably not experienced enough to responsibly teach people. Are there any other options to make a bit of cash as a programmer? Is programming just one of those things that requires complete dedication, or what?"

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Write your own by hivebrain · 2013-02-12 06:57 · Score: 5, Funny

There's always room for another bug tracking app.
1. Re:Write your own by mk1004 · 2013-02-12 09:12 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Well, at least finding the thirteen virgins on /. shouldn't be too difficult.
  
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  I can mend the break of day, heal a broken heart, and provide temporary relief to nymphomaniacs.
Re:App Store by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:07 · Score: 3, Funny

Or, you could buy a lottery ticket.
Wait. You get paid? by macbeth66 · 2013-02-12 07:10 · Score: 3, Funny

I am doing this all wrong.
Botnet? by MarkGriz · 2013-02-12 07:14 · Score: 4, Funny

Botnet programming can be quite lucrative, but I hear FPMITA prison is a real bitch.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
Re:Read your employment contract for conflict by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:22 · Score: 2, Funny

Does your employer offer any incentives to contribute extra work?
Wow, I just can't stop laughing at this one ... please go on ...
Re:I've had a great experience making mobile apps by pla · 2013-02-12 07:34 · Score: 2, Funny

and sales on BlackBerry 10 are already more than they were on PlayBook.

LOL... Silly shill, that would require them to actually have customers to target with your app. But tell me - How much does plugging for Rim pay these days?
Re:Read your employment contract for conflict by HaZardman27 · 2013-02-12 08:19 · Score: 4, Funny

Do you perhaps work in the Deep South during the early 1800's?

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Apparently wizard is not a legitimate career path, so I chose programmer instead.
Re:What about ... by earlzdotnet · 2013-02-12 10:17 · Score: 3, Funny

Once someone offhand asked me if I could write something like that quickbooks has(managing rental properties). I said "probably for the subset of it that you need, but it'd take a lot of time." And then he said "Could you do it for under $100? Quickbooks is too expensive for me to buy." Literal facepalm.