DIY Depot

Problem Statement

DIYers and hobbyists can be overwhelmed with electronic-based projects due to unfamiliarity with the required skill sets needed to start a project or where to begin. Unfamiliarity along with trepidation concerning the damage of tools and component(s) involved can lead to hobbyists not attempting or completing projects.

Problem Characteristics

Issues Building Your Own Electronics Projects

Knowing what parts to buy and where to buy them is discouraging to new DIYers

Finding information on how to build electronics can be difficult

A study by StackPath found that Hobbyists spend 44% of project time designing the project[2]

Having thorough instructions that offer the most up-to-date and cost-effective or minimal tasking is hard to find

Possible lack of starting knowledge

According to Jameco, nearly 35% of electronic hobbyists have no formal education in electronics[1]

It can be difficult to make changes or substitutions when following instructions for an existing project

Solution

DIY Depot is a web application that will be accessible on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. It’s an aggregate-based central hub that provides step-by-step instructions for various DIY projects of all skill-levels. DIY Depot’s discussion forums will also allow hobbyists to connect with one another, and to display their completed projects.

Solution Characteristics

DIY Depot will provide the user with:

A process on getting started

Preselected beginner tutorials with relevant links for tutorials, resources, places to buy materials, installation guides

A searchable compiled list of resources through aggregation and user submissions

Programming tutorials
Electronic DIY ideas
External skills resource sidebar (soldering, woodworking, etc.)

A discussion forum

Allows hobbyists to:
- Suggest project substitutions
- Seek help if they have difficulty
- Discuss what they liked or didn’t like about certain projects
- Ask about projects not listed on DIY Depot

A searchable project hub

With a difficulty scoring (beginner, intermediate, expert, etc.)
- To include expected time allotment

Team Members

David Butler

David Butler is a senior at ODU, Majoring in Computer Science with a Minor in Cyber Security. He most recently interned at NASA with SCAN, at the Wallops Flight Facility. He hopes to work at NASA after getting his Bachelors.

Allison Dungo

Allison Dungo is a senior at ODU, majoring in Computer Science. She currently interns at Jefferson Lab in Newport News, and will be continuing her education after this year to obtain her Master’s in Computer Science.

Jia Lin

Jia is a senior who majored in computer science at ODU. He has experience with web and GUI development and knows Javascript, Java, and C++. During the weekend, he enjoys movies, photography, video games, and running.

Mclene Velasco

Mclene Velasco is a senior at ODU, majoring in Computer Science.

Erin Coughlin

Erin is a senior in the Computer Science program at Old Dominion University. Upon graduation, she has plans of becoming either a software developer or data analyst. Erin's interests outside of computer science include reading, hiking, horse training and riding.

Andrew Hunt

Andrew is a senior in computer science with a specialization in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality development. Since 2018 Andrew has been working as a rapid design & developer for NASA Langley’s Engineering Design Studio to explore how AR and VR can meet the center’s needs.

Trevor Thompson

Trevor is a Senior at Old Dominion University majoring in Computer Science. He has participated in Google Summer of Code twice, making contributions to React OS.

William Paredes

Will is a senior at Old Dominion University majoring in Computer Science. He is transitioning into the CS field with a medical and veteran background. Will seeks to merge the world of physical therapy and software to provide innovative prosthesis for veterans.

Daniel Zrust

Daniel Zrust is a super super senior at ODU majoring in Computer Science. He is well known for his smash failure Cube'n Cigars, but much more known for his years of programming at various startups. He is looking to complete his degree in Spring 2021 and working for a company near you.

Mentors

Thomas Kennedy

Professor Kennedy is a Lecturer for the Old Dominion Computer Science Department.

Bittu Ahlawat

Senior Director of Engineering

Bittu is an engineering executive counted on to build, launch, and scale $1B+ revenue generating platforms and capabilities that catapult new user acquisition, retention, and profit growth. Unique ability to work closely with teams, peers, and senior leaders while finding and implementing efficiencies and automation that reduce cost and increase functionality. Avid reader and lifelong learner committed to self-improvement, business acumen growth, and performance advancement through self-study and practical application.

Glossary

Administrator - a person responsible for running DIY Depot

Crowdsourcing - the practice of obtaining information or input into a task or project by enlisting the services of a large number of people, either paid or unpaid, typically via the internet

DIY - do it yourself

Gamify - apply typical elements of game playing (e.g. point scoring, competition with others, rules of play) to (an activity), typically as an online marketing technique to encourage engagement with a product or service

GUI - graphical user interface

GUI mock-up - consists of one or several static pictures that resemble the future GUI of the application in as many aspects as possible

Hobbyist - a person who pursues a particular hobby

MFCD - major functional component diagram

Moderator - a person who moderates an internet forum or online discussion

Query - request for data or information from a database table or combination of tables

RWP - real world product

Stakeholders - owners of partnering sites that DIY Depot gathers information from

Tag - an element added to a document that conveys extra information; tags on DIY depot denote technologies, skills, and techniques used in the construction of a project

Trepidation - a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

WBS - work breakdown structure