Not every side project needs to become a subscription business
Foqos combines its maker’s NFC tags with a desire to reduce phone distractions in a free, open-source app.
The takeaway
Define the project’s purpose before choosing how to fund it.
The context
The maker wanted a physical action to block distracting apps and combined NFC tags with focus profiles over a holiday break. They promised free, open-source access, with affiliate links and optional donations. This is a choice to share a personal tool, not proof of a sustainable revenue model.
Steps worth trying
Editorial suggestions, not promises made by the original author.
- 01
Decide whether the priority is personal use, learning, community contribution, or profit and budget effort accordingly.
- 02
Disclose donations or affiliate funding and assess whether maintenance remains feasible without revenue.
Where this applies — and where it may not
The author discloses no revenue or maintenance costs; the free-access promise and features reflect the launch description.
From the discussion
“donations are completely optional”
@awaseem · View source
Show HN: I made a app that uses NFC as a physical switch to block distractions
@awaseem · 225 points · 109 comments
Read the Hacker News threadSource: OpenIndex Hacker News dataset (ODC-By). Original content belongs to its authors. Summaries, translations, and suggested steps are AI-assisted editorial work. Read the sources; individual outcomes are not guarantees.