Open Innovation from D.I.Y to a M.V.P. using GitHub

Join AeonLabs Discord Server here.

For the past 3 years, I've been studying by experimenting meanings of "open data repositories". Back in 2020, I began with a simple need to build a curriculum vitae, the traditional Word document formatted according to a template found on Google. The difference in my case is in the fact that I have more than 15 years of professional experience, and naturally, the two-page document began to grow into a portfolio with more than 30 pages. For months I added web address links to all types and kinds of profiles, for instance, Stack Overflow, LinkedIn, Twitter, and GitHub.

Keep in mind this was before this great reset of "artificial intelligence" before software tools and Apps such as the ChatGPT, Mid Journey, and many, many other intelligent software tools, and back then, what was important was to have a place where I could deposit all my software code I programmed over the course of 20 years while at the same time being able to showcase my programming skills. This was the time when I picked up again to develop further my hardware electronics skills, motivated by all D.I.Y. tutorials and videos from YouTubers that are simply the best. Simple and with easy explanations.

I'm not going to be long here and fast forward to 2024, where I currently have more than 200 repositories, on GitHub, with more than 30 software solutions and more than 60 hardware electronics solutions, all publicly available to anyone to see, read, and download. What initially was just a rebuild of my "curriculum vitae", a read-only static document grew into something dynamic, browsable, and more importantly a CV that anyone is able to verify and audit in near real-time.

Amidst all that happened in the past 3 years, and still is happening, I began learning more about the meanings and uses of a "data repository". From a simple conventional, "open source code" repository with a readme.md file to a full multi-website, with landing pages and hi-resolution photos of the latest minimum viable product designed and prototyped by me. All happening inside my profile on the Gihub platform: https://github.com/aeonSolutions

Since the beginning, one of the challenges consisted of finding a way to increase the value of all my open-source code and all my open hardware electronics. The biggest challenge and the biggest complaint when talking with any "GitHub user" the one of anyone being able to download for free and without any feedback or thank you message.

In December 2023, there were already more than 105 million users on GitHub, all trying and finding ways to value their open work and innovation. From incomplete source code with detailed instructions on the readme.md file to circuit schematics with missing components and copper track errors, all in an attempt to push a user to send a message and contact the author(s). Those with more capital and better financials usually add their business website after the conventional text and instruction on the readme.md file with a statement saying something like "If you're using it, you will also going to need this on the following link".

Then, in 2023 what is known as, "generative artificial intelligence" and automated text writing evolved amid plagiarism, false news, and worst, fake photos with non-real people, again for the same reason, no one likes to work for free and for the unknown, as a result in 2024, GitHub is already dubbed as the "new LinkedIn".

My solution, came to me after I watched a tutorial video from a YouTuber explaining how to improve the readme.md on the profile page on GitHub. I began to follow all the steps and ended up with something customized to my professional skills ( see the snapshot below).

The first thing to add is a way to measure the number of visitors over time. Next is to add buttons for donations and sponsorships and also links to chat groups and messenger apps. Last, include videos on YouTube that showcase actual work being done.

On each repository, I've moved from simple, text-based, readme.md file to more elaborated contents with photos, videos a banner, and also a navigation pane, mimicking what is done on conventional webpages, with what is possible to do with a markdown file.

This improved immensely navigation among all my repositories but it was not enough

This improved immensely navigation among all my repositories but it was not enough

A data repository is a place with much information. For a DIY and a Maker, for a software code programmer, this is not an obstacle. However, when working in innovation it becomes one when considering everyday, common users, one that does not understand all that technical language and contents, one that does not have time and does not need to understand how a solution works, one that is looking for a product that works as intended and as he/she expects it to work and nothing more.

To close this gap I'm using a special repository on GitHub, aeonsolutions.github.io, where I have hosted my own website and where it is possible to navigate all my software and hardware electronics solutions in a more "user-friendly" kind way, using conventional webpage layouts, format, and navigation logic. I start at my laboratory, with all my D.I.Y projects and solutions, and navigate away until the user is able to reach the "minimum viable product" for a particular solution. In between the user is able to follow all the work happening in the lab, with the possibility to view circuit schematics and hardware electronics designs in an interactive kind of way. At the end of it is a landing page to showcase the most recent product or solution with a button that will redirect to an e-commerce website and a "buy this product" page. See an example here: https://aeonsolutions.github.io/products/smart_data_acquisition/

In summary,

For those looking to make a business from a D.I.Y product or solution, I recommend and advise you to follow what is stated schematically on the flow chart below. After creating an account, start by building the very first repository with a readme.md file, and a license type., where you will work and add the project files related to your DIY solution. A repository is of interest to all those who are able to read and understand technical language and knowledge, to an end consumer it will be hard to understand and even boring to navigate.

The next step is to create a basic website on the "special repository" Github has available at https://YourUsername.github.io. Include a webpage where anyone can visualize a 3D rendering of your DIY or MVP solution and link it to a conventional landing page where a user is able to read about it using conventional marketing language and graphics.

When coding the website make sure you select a design layout closer to the layout of a conventional and commercial website but not too close and definitely not equal. Something that shows the path and differences between a D.I.Y. product, and a M.V.P. product selling at a D.I.Y. \ Maker eCommerce Shop, and outside Github. For instance, on www.Tindie.com.

Flow chart schematic on how to set up a Github profile for prototype and open innovation

When all is done and testing of the M.V.P. is completed, the final consumer product, or solution, can continue with the same D.I.Y. brand or it can be rebranded and sold elsewhere on any eCommerce Shop. For instance, selling a license to another business, rebranding it to sell online, and even keeping the same brand tagged with all the prototyping and innovation activities and work.

About the author
Miguel, an experienced professional in scientific research and smart technology solutions, adeptly combines hardware and software expertise. He has a 5-year bachelor's in civil engineering. A 2yr master in smart carbon fiber composites. A second master in machine learning and artificial intelligence. More than 30 years of experience in computer science and programming. More than 5 years in hardware electronics design (see noteworthy accomplishments here). This project is part of Miguel's effort, and work, to promote "Do It Yourself" projects, open innovation, and startup entrepreneurship using open methods for reverse-engineer, design, and prototype open software solutions, and open hardware electronics solutions.

The PCB Design Files provided on GitHub for anyone to use, are free with a Creative Commons share-alike non-commercial license. If you like this Smart Device or use it, please consider sponsoring Miguel's work Github, buy me a cup of coffee, a slice of pizza, or a book to help me study, eat, and think to work on new PCB design files.

Make a donation on PayPal and get a TAX refund*.