“out-of-the-box” means standard
(it’s what came out of the box—just the way it was)
“outside-the-box” means unconventional or innovative
(it was never even inside the box)
this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2026
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No Stupid Questions
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Defining it is hard.
I'll give an example: Radio tech was always there, we just discovered it that we can use it. So everything is kinda out-of-the-box, we just figured out it exists.
Have to agree that it's still not what that expression means.. Radio TECH was not always there. RadioWAVES were, but that is still not considered "out-of-the-box". If I buy an Xbox controller and use it without modifying it, then I'm using it out-of-the-box.
You're right
for example blockchain -> btc or neural networks -> ml/llm.
Oh god.
How can I check the viability without building the software or hardware?
- see if the thing already exists
- if it does and is successful, great, viable idea. now figure out how the existing thing sucks (see 2)
- if not, great, maybe an untapped niche
- figure out who the intended users are and talk to them. what do they want? what do they hate?
- filter through a fine mesh of common sense, pragmatism and cynicism
- build a basic version that adresses some subset of identified needs (and that users hate less), get feedback, iterate
it helps when you are an intended user since that's a tighter feedback loop
thank you <3
Software that can: 1.map things around you and 2.enhance your aural environment discreetly to eventually enable seeing with your ears (i.e. impact sounds reflect from nearby objects, continuous sound is filtered - this is the tricky part)
I have this whole augmented reality game set up on paper that's the modern progression of those pocket pet toys from the 2000's. Unfortunately I have no ability to program, otherwise it'd be on the playstore already.
My number one wish is for a good FOSS notetaking app. Essentially obsidian but FOSS.
Joplin - boring few plugins Trilium - good but online only no mobile apps Triliumnext - suspect Logseq - VC funding
NeutriNote.
It's only lacking a settable template for new note titles. Something like 'Note - %d' to set the current date and time in a new note title would be excellent.
Anytype might be better. I think it's vc funded now, but it can be self hosted
For notetaking, I use butterfly, very recommended.
it has infinite canvas, various pen options to fine tune how the pen works, and settings to change what each input does. (like touch is for selection, stylus is for pen, stylus button is for erasing)
Give it a try, I am sure you will like (if you hand draw your notes), especially after the 2.4 update, the dev fixed alot of bugs.
For pdf annotations, I use samsung notes (butterfly isnt as good for that in my opinion)
team plain folder here.
- ☑️ no lock in
- ☑️ any data type
- ☑️ sync any way
- ☑️ encrypt any way
- ☑️ any client or other tool\
- ☑️ platform independent
Yeah I’ve switch to a markdown file.
A messaging platform based on irc. Extend the syntax to include markdown or html like extensions to plain text to make rich clients possible. But use existing irc infrastructure (servers) as the base.
The problem with that is that irc is from a time when security wasn't just an afterthought, it just wasn't there at all. Irc by itself has no user accounts, the first one in a room to claim a name gets it. There no encryption at all, so no secure identity verification is possible. By the time you've fixed those things out won't look like irc anymore.
Software to remotely control wall-mount airconditioners(sometimes called reverse-cycle AC, or a heat-pump).
Making some modular units that use off-the-shelf components, that can send the correct IR codes to run an AC at predetermined times. Maybe a wifi connection so it can accept remote commands or relay state info about current room temps etc.
I remember Logitech had something like this
What are some out-of-the-box ideas you’ve heard of? How can I check the viability without building the software or hardware?
I'd recommend checking out Product Hunt's catagories as that will help you narrow down your search for similar ideas.
A streaming-service for indie movie makers\
I will check out the categories, thanks for letting me know