Review of 2023 & plans for 2024 as a software engineer

A review of last year and plan for 2024 except anything from the day job.

2023 - What was planned with status

Goals

• Continue
• ✅Python - Continue learning.
• Converted my own utilities to Python. Now my first preference coming to mind is Python.
• ❌WebAssembly - Continue learning including WASM containers
• ❌Pass the AZ-304 exam. Continue learning Azure computing.
• ✅Continue making 1 blog post per week.
• ❌At least 25% or more posts to be videos
• ❌Achieve 250 subscribers in my coding YouTube channel Joymon v/s Code. 
• Just crossed 100 only.
• ✅Monthly 1-2 hours for personal projects
• New
• ✅Set up the Ethereum blockchain and write one smart contract
• ❌Spend 3 hours every week on LinkedIn Learning
• Experiments
• ❌The big thing would be an attempt to present a topic in a public event conducted by user groups.
• ❌At least 10% posts to external sites such as CodeProject, DZone CSharpCorner, etc.
• ❌Write my own GitHub action.
• ❌Write a test Telegram/Discord bot
• ❌Write a test Flutter app

What I am not going to do

• ✅Blockchain coding - expertise.
• ✅Go & Scala - watch some videos. Not in deep.
• ✅Data science algorithms.

Additional achievements

• A beginner stage in new buzzword generative AI.
• Hands-on experience with Ansible by automating home nas on Raspberry Pi.
• Deep dive into some of the Kubernetes features and Windows containers
• Deep dive into SharePoint Online, and Office Online.

Overall it could have been much better. The meaningless excuse I am telling myself is that my spouse started working hence I have very minimal time for extra activities.

2024 - What is ahead

Goals

• Continue
• Continue Python
• WebAssembly - Learn WASM containers.
• Continue making 1 blog post per week. Out of that, 15 or more posts are to be videos. 
• Achieve 500 subscribers in my coding YouTube channel Joymon v/s Code.
• Monthly 1-2 hours for personal projects
• Intermediate level in generative AI
• New
• Same as last year, a big thing would be an attempt to present a topic in a public event conducted by user groups.
• At least 10% posts to external sites such as CodeProject, DZone CSharpCorner, etc.
• Write my own GitHub action.
• Write a test Telegram/Discord bot.
• Write a test Flutter app.
• Teaching my kids how to think like programmers. Python for the 4th grader and Scratch for kindergartner.
• Experiments
• Automate YouTube video production via AI tools.
• A blockchain app prototype.
• Try to do a Scratch or similar technology video with my kids.
• Experiment with the 3D printer at our public library and printing technology overall.

What I am not going to do

• Blockchain coding - expertise.
• Go & Scala - watch some videos. Not in deep.
• Data science algorithms.