Hello:

First of I want to thank this site which I have referenced many times to solve my Linux related problems--although I have never actually posted in recent memory.

I have read quite a bit about Linux, its internals, and its heritage in Minix. Now I am looking for a good linux software development project to bite my teeth into. I know there are Linux sites out there that host open source project ideas, but I can't seem to find any. I would like some web sites that have ideas for useful projects that are currently not implemented in Linux. I have only found the list at GNU.

Second, there does not seem to be a good open source equivalent to AutoCAD. I have been thinking about starting on an equivalent software package (yes I realize the enormous complexity of such a task) because such a program would focus on many of my interests, including data processing, complex math, 3D, and software rendering. Mainly I would like to know if anyone has seen an open source software package other than PowerCAD (which appears to be dead--or rather never started) and that furniture modeling software program.

Although I am a pretty good software developer (with Windows and Unix experience in Java and C++), I do not intend to start any large project without first gaining Linux programming experience from smaller projects. Mainly I'm interested in ideas and suggestions for where to start.

Thanks in advance for the help. I hope nobody minds that this post is slightly off-topic.

Your post is definately NOT off-topic , since it's about Linux-stuff.

As for sites , hosting Open-Source-projects ; Ever heard of "SourceForge"?
If you haven't : SourceForge


And going by your interests , I'd say you could start out with some "little" programs like "Metasequoya"(sp?) and the like ; Small , handy 3D-progs that each take on a particular part of the modelling-stuff.

Going for bigger?
Give it a go at equivalents of Vue d'Esprit , Poser , LightWave or even....
3DSMax.....
Now that latter one is a challenge , that if you manage to do it will earn you immortal fame.

And it would give me a good arguement to make my wife switch to Linux as well...

Thanks for the reply. I have heard of Sourceforge, and I actually went there looking for software project ideas. The thing is I don't want to join an existing project because I don't think I have enough experience for that. I'd rather work on my own.

Anyway, I like the suggestions. I will have to look up a couple of those programs. 3DSMax would indeed be an awesome software to clone in opensource, but I don't have any experience working with it to base that on ... and I have lots of experience with AutoCAD.

Does anybody else have suggestions for lists of software ideas. I'm looking for ideas for projects, not necessarily existing projects. GNU hosts a list of software packages which have no Linux equivalent but theirs isn't very long.

Good installers.
Preferably with a built-in web-search-engine , so it can scour the 'net on its own to search for the needed dependencies and capable of handling the most common package-types.
And by that , I mean it must be completely repositery-independant.
Giving a clear output where it actually installed the stuff would be handy too , not to mention an easy way to dictate where you want the app to be installed.

There's a program called TurboCAD I believe that comes packaged with Mandrake 9.1 and I believe its pretty close to being comparative to AutoCAD. Give it a try .

Thanks for the posts so far. I have been doing more research as well.

Anybody else? Does anyone know of any open source project suggestion lists? The GNU website has a task list here listing project suggestions which have no GNU equivalent. I am looking for other lists to get ideas from.

Really, I would recommend joining an existing project. It's more fun with more people, lack of experience isn't a problem as long as you know coding, most people don't mind helping you learn.

My project is about installers - see autopackage.org - unfortunately no complex math there.