Community Suggestion for project appropriate for Undergraduate Thesis submission

Hello all,

I am a university undergraduate student (ECE department), who is looking forward to find a project to work with, in order to take my diploma (I have finished all the courses required).

I need to make something that isn't already available, and I want to contribute to the free software community, either through Linux itself or through a FOSS project. Preferably a standalone project or even better a discrete part of a bigger project

What I mean is that I can't just do some patching around in various projects, but I need to work with something specific where I would do the necessary background research and I would make something that works. Finally it isn't absolutely necessary, the work to be code oriented, it could be research around: (e.g cryptography, protocols, kernel optimization issues, etc).

I have a good knowledge of Python, C/C++, Bash, *nix system programming, Web tools, and a descent knowledge of Networks and protocols. Moreover I am currently studying kernel development (I started the eudyptula challenge). Lastly I have a good knowledge of AI (including Machine learning) if that would fit somehow...
I have goodwill on learning any new stuff if needed.

Has anyone to propose anything (project, ideas, etc) for me to look for, or even other places to discuss this thread?

Thanks for your time

Are you familiar with Lynks? The Microsoft secure chat/video et al client that hooks into their mail client? I asked a woman I know who works in that environment why in the world every one of their desktops had that thing on it, what business application could a chat client possibly serve, don't you know each others phone numbers? Their email addresses? Even leave a note on their monitor? Why communicate with this thing?
She said that as a result of the explosive increase in teleworking, they need it as a task management/time tracking tool for their offsite employees.
I might look into something like that, it seems to be the way things are headed.

How about building something with a Raspberry Pi?

Hello both

@dijetlo: I can see the differences of Lynk with the other chat applications. I don't consider a FOSS clone as a necessity (without underestimating its purpose and value), but I would like to do something more community-purpose oriented app or project, so I will keep searching for the time being

@dugan: Although Raspberry was always in the back of my mind, I can't say that I have searched projects, ideas, what has already been done , etc, exhaustively, maybe because of my experience with arduino where low-cost apps are rarely something usefull. However Rasberry is a different thing (microcomputer(OS) vs microprocessor) so it's a better candidate. If you come up with a usefull or interesting idea let me know please

Thank you both very much for your interest

I suggest that you try for something very small and targeted. If your requirement is to "do background research and build something that works," kindly heed this cautionary tale courtesy of my brother.

As a double-E major, the usual end-of-year project was "digital dice." Uh uh. Not good enough. My bro' decided to build a computer -- and I do mean a circuit board -- that could play checkers and win. The professor smiled and said, "go ahead."

Eventually ... he, too, made digital dice. And graduated.

Originally Posted by sundialsvcs I suggest that you try for something very small and targeted. If your requirement is to "do background research and build something that works," kindly heed this cautionary tale courtesy of my brother. As a double-E major, the usual end-of-year project was "digital dice." Uh uh. Not good enough. My bro' decided to build a computer -- and I do mean a circuit board -- that could play checkers and win. The professor smiled and said, "go ahead." Eventually ... he, too, made digital dice. And graduated.

Hello sundialsvcs,

Thanks for your reply.

Well I don't mean necessarily a huge or difficult problem, a small and (of course targeted) project would be a plus actually but I would like to contribute in/with something usefull that fulfills a community need

Originally Posted by sput_penguin Well I don't mean necessarily a huge or difficult problem, a small and (of course targeted) project would be a plus actually but I would like to contribute in/with something usefull that fulfills a community need

Graduate first.

Hi Sput,

. I don't consider a FOSS clone as a necessity

I'm 52 sput, I probably shouldn't have answered your question because when I think of building things with Linux, I tend to think about who I can sell it to when I'm done. Not how to get a diploma.
Listen to Sundial, I think he's giving you a million dollars worth of advice for nothing.
Good luck with whatever you chose to do and I admire your dedication to helping the rest of our community... but don't let it keep you from finishing school.

Hello again.

I admire your interest, but this is what I also want, to graduate. Believe me, in my department, thesis projects are extremely tough. In order the thesis proposal to be accepted by the professors it should be strictly documented, explaining the reason you do it and somehow novel (not done before). I don't want to be student for 2 more years I am looking for something that I could finish in 6 months or so.