A 'realistic' simulation of an ecosystem. Three years ago researchers managed to simulate an entire bacterium with every known gene and molecule, I'd like to scale that up. (Though one could not keep same level of molecular resolution when dealing with an ecosystem - too resource intensive.) Something to keep in mind for when I write my PhD thesis...
Where do I even start...<p>- graphical interface for neovim that looks exactly like sublimetext; ssh channel for working with remote neovim in local ui<p>- full range scanner / automatic database signal matcher for sdr<p>- browser+server framework for board games that can abstract the display and rules to the point where you can implement things from chess to warhammer<p>- sane backend for the chef server<p>- nicer interface / simplification for kvmtool so I could use it like unshare<p>- python static type analyser<p>- rc plane autopilot<p>- python modules security checker like sensiolab security:check for php<p>- some way of automatically namespacing apps started from home folder - for example any steam games<p>- everything that hurd needs to be as useable as linux at the moment<p>- a modern version of bullfrog's syndicate<p>- localised short-term weather forecast server using community supplied weather data (mini-wunderground-at-home)
A system that would tie software comments to 'blocks' of code. This way you would be able to automatically detect the problem where comments/in-software documentation becomes out of sync with the code it describes and correct it.
Distributed artificial general intelligence app, probably something like using deep learning with a virtually embodied agent.<p>A digital circuit IP or maybe separate USB dongle that does path tracing in hardware, maybe based on procedural generation from a built-in Forth.<p>Various business and government ideas built on Ethereum, promoted with the intention of displacing existing more centralized institutions with decentralized ones.<p>A backyard exchange website where people can rent out or share their backyards for tiny house 'parking' and/or high-tech gardening like aeroponics or aquaponics, or whatever they want besides being a big waste of space collecting dog crap.<p>A unification of computer science, programming, and math. Or, a metalanguage and representation tying together classical programming and mathematical notation with interactive and/or visual programming, with the common part reused in all types of informations systems.<p>A new operating system for virtual reality.
If I had the time and money I would build a running cat-like robot. I've always loved mechatronics, have a background in mechanical engineering, and just recently started programming so I'm dying to give it a shot. I know it's probably harder than it seems on the surface, but I have hope.
I've been thinking about this for a while <a href="http://thenewstack.io/why-art-could-become-currency-in-a-cryptocurrency-world/" rel="nofollow">http://thenewstack.io/why-art-could-become-currency-in-a-cry...</a>
A digital controller for my smoker that would control the temperature and smoke output so that I could start cooking before bed and be done by the time I woke up. Ideally it would keep a log of internal meat temperature and internal smoker temp through time. I know you can buy commercial products that do most/all of this, but I think it'd be a fun side project.<p>An isomorphic CMS built in react. This one I'll probably get to and leave as a proof of concept. I'm personally fine with over-engineering things for my amusement, but wouldn't want to subject clients to my woes. But, who knows — could end up working better than expected.
A stylistic detector for writing. Basically software that can answer the question of "was person X entirely responsible for a particular piece of writing". To be applied in forensics, plagiarism detection, and as an intelligent assistant to writers to ensure they maintain a consistent tone in their writings.
A good open mail client with imap offline capabilities (right now mutt-kz (mutt with integrated notmuch) + mbsync).<p>Other than that a bunch more features for postgres.