The First Beginning
It really began in 2003. Boys were busy catching up latest manga and animates. Girls were all going crazy with famous singers and dancers. I was enthralled into something different, the Internet. I was fascinated at how the websites are able to display so much content in front of my eyes, and how easy it was to read up on news that just happened in another part of the world.
I wanted to know how it works, and I wanted to make my own website. I went to the most technologically advanced place in my city – “the computer city” to look for answers. With 5 RMB generously sponsored by my mom, I bought two DVDs back home. They are loads of software bundled in each of them, but I got what I wanted – Microsoft FrontPage and Adobe Dreamweaver. The young gentlemen told me these are the tools that I needed.
Hours after hours of trial and error, I made my first website. It was has a “news” section which displays a list of news that I manually typed by myself, and an “about” section that showcases a photo of myself. And that website later went on to win the top prize for a website design competition. That was in 2005.
From there onwards, I went into programming. After all, there is only so much you can do in the browser. So no more HTML, CSS, just pure algorithms and data structures.
The Second Beginning
Then I started hearing people talking about JavaScript and Canvas, that was 2010. I was amazed again by what can be achieved on the websites. Not just text and pictures, but powerful interactions and logics that I thought only a desktop application can have.
I started building things for web again. This time with JavaScript and Canvas, I built a web game and won some prize money for my CCA, ACJC Tech Council.
From there, I got more and more interested, and I explored what else web can do. Data visualization caught my eye and I did a few more projects to test the water.
Yet Another Beginning
So far, the web projects has been meaningful and enjoyable to me. I learnt a lot, I had fun hacking things out. I felt pretty proud to show it off to my friends.
However, one problem remains. They were not successful and no one else except myself was using them.
I tried to do everything on my own. Ideation, building and marketing. But it turned out I may not always have the best idea, and I am certainly not good at marketing.
So the problem is that I need a team. But the real trouble comes in when you want to find a team. When people approach you with ideas, you might not like the idea. Even if you like the idea, you might not have the time to dedicate yourself to a startup. Everyone is busy with their own things and nobody is willing to devote time and effort into someone else’s business plan.
This is where CS3216 comes in. I hope it would serve a bridge for people who are cautious on the outside but willing to work as team if given a good opportunity. I hope CS3216 is that opportunity.
The opportunity for business-minded people to validate their idea and discuss technical feasibilities with developers.
The opportunity for artistically inclined to showcase their talent and drive their design limit with the sky.
The opportunity for developers to build something that has the real potential to make a positive impact.
The opportunity for all creative minds to unleash their imagination as well as validating them on the ground.
Let this be the beginning. Beginning of something great.
Yep it is that opportunity, but it is not as simple as it sounds. A lot of it still depends on you and your team. You may hear this often: “Ideas are cheap, Execution is key”. This holds very true as the most successful products to this day is often not the first of its kind in the market. Focus on execution and achieve something great. All the best!
Thanks!