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Build Things That Don’t Scale at All

Ever wanted an app that does one thing exactly your way, but didn't want to settle for close-enough options in the app stores? Have you felt the itch to build something but were halted by creator's paralysis, fearing it's too much work? Remember, you don't always need to target the whole world—a user base of two can be great! With React Native and Expo, it's easier than ever—and it's okay to take creative shortcuts! This talk will show you how you can build mobile apps extremely quickly for fun and (probably not) profit.

This talk has been presented at React Day Berlin 2024, check out the latest edition of this React Conference.

FAQ

The talk is about building projects or apps that do not scale, focusing on small, personalized solutions rather than following all best practices for scalable development.

Building an app that doesn't scale can be beneficial for personal use or very specific needs, allowing for quick development and deployment without dealing with the complexities of scalability.

Challenges include dealing with app distribution via app stores, handling authentication, supporting multiple platforms and devices, implementing analytics and monetization, and localizing for different markets.

Ciuttino is an app that automates cropping screenshots. It was created because the developer wanted an easy way to share images on Twitter when direct sharing was not possible.

Kaminora is a private chat app built for the developer's daughter to chat with her friend safely, without the risk of interacting with strangers. It includes features like timed usage and parental control.

The Google calendar synchronizer app allows users to log in with Google and select which calendars to synchronize, providing a simplified view of upcoming events.

The developer advises staying away from app stores for as long as possible due to the significant time investment and complexity involved in the app store submission process.

The developer distributes apps by directly installing them on devices or using tools like Expo Go, which allows sharing via QR codes.

Keeping the app scope small increases the likelihood of actually shipping the app, as it reduces complexity and potential obstacles in the development process.

The developer is a full stack developer, recently hired as a principal engineer at Zatu, with a focus on code quality and testing.

react native

Michele Bonazza

9 min

13 Dec, 2024

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Video Summary and Transcription

My talk is about building things that don't scale. It starts with wanting to use a specific app and then deciding to build your own app. Building something that scales requires thinking about various factors like analytics, monetization, SEO, expansion, localization, and competition. Building fun and non-scalable apps can also be enjoyable. Examples include an app for automatically cropping screenshots and a private chat app. The use of Expo Go as a launcher for Expo apps and hosting servers for auto-updates is discussed. The creation of a Google calendar synchronizer using Expo Development Builds is also mentioned. The final takeaways are to think small, have fun with libraries but avoid using too many, and stay away from the app store for as long as possible. Visit the speaker's website for more information.

Available in Español: Construir cosas que no escalan en absoluto

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