Growing as a Programmer Through Personal Projects: The Linux Mint Applet Story

Posted on May 6, 2025

Have you ever created something just because you needed it? That’s exactly what happened with my Linux Mint applet - a simple button that turns off your screens while keeping your computer running. What started as a personal solution has grown into something that occasionally receives contributions from others, proving that even small projects can have lasting impact.

The Birth of a Solution

It all began with a common problem: I had a laptop with Linux Mint that needed to run, but I didn’t need the screen to be on. Instead of searching for complex solutions, I decided to build my own. What I thought would take 2-4 hours ended up consuming an entire day of work - a classic programmer’s estimation error that we can all relate to! 😅

But the result was worth it - a simple, functional applet that did exactly what I needed. This is the beauty of creating solutions for yourself - they solve real problems that you personally experience.

Plant the Seed, Watch It Grow

The metaphor of a seed growing into a useful plant perfectly describes what happens with personal projects. You plant something small, nurture it until it serves its purpose, and sometimes it grows beyond your expectations when others find value in it.

My simple screen-turning-off applet may not change the world, but it solved my problem and occasionally helps others too. The pull requests that come in, though rare, are reminders that this little creation has a life beyond my personal use. It’s like sending a message in a bottle and finding out years later that people not only found it but added their own notes before passing it along! 🌊

The Evolution Through Commits

Since the first release of my applet in 2017, it has quietly grown thanks to the help of the open source community. Over the years, developers like claudiux, bossbob88, haggen88, D0han, Krivetochka, Dragone2, rcalixte, Odyssey, qadzek, Slinet6056, mahtiankka, Alan01, eson57, muzena, giwhub, NikoKrause, jaszhix, and brownsr have all made valuable contributions-ranging from translations and bug fixes to new features and ongoing maintenance.

In total, more than a dozen people have left their mark on the applet’s codebase. Whether it was adding language support, improving security, or keeping the applet up-to-date with the latest Linux Mint/Cinnamon changes, each contribution has helped the project thrive. It’s a great example of how even a small, personal project can become a collaborative effort over time.

Each of these commits represents someone who found enough value in this simple utility to contribute their time and expertise. It’s humbling to see a personal project continue to evolve eight years after its creation. Who would have thought a one-day project would still be getting updates in 2025? 😊

The Value of Community

One aspect worth highlighting is the supportive nature of the Linux Mint/Cinnamon community. When API or infrastructure changes threatened the functionality of the applet, community members like jaszhix and brownsr (who served as maintainers) stepped in to help keep it alive. This collaborative spirit is what makes open source projects thrive, even small ones like a screen-turning-off button.

The applet now supports at least 11 languages, showing how a simple utility can cross linguistic boundaries when it solves a universal problem. What began as a personal project continues to live and evolve through the contributions of others who found it useful enough to improve.

Why Personal Projects Matter

Creating something useful for yourself has several benefits that extend beyond the immediate solution:

  1. Practical Learning: You solve real problems, which teaches you more than theoretical exercises ever could.

  2. Complete Ownership: You make all the decisions, from architecture to implementation details.

  3. Lasting Impact: Even small tools can help others facing the same problem.

  4. Community Connection: Your work connects you with like-minded individuals who share your interests.

  5. Personal Growth: The challenges you overcome build resilience and problem-solving skills.

Conclusion

For aspiring programmers, the message is clear: build things that solve your own problems. Don’t wait for permission or validation. The experience gained from completing a project from start to finish is invaluable, and you never know who else might benefit from your solution.

Your small projects are not just lines of code - they’re seeds that can grow into something meaningful, both for your development as a programmer and for others who might use them. They become part of your legacy in the vast digital garden we’re all cultivating together.

So go ahead, identify that annoying problem in your daily life, and build something to solve it. Even if it takes longer than expected, the journey will be worth it.