What should a hobbyist programmer tackle next?

It sounds like you're ready to start building something! Don't hesitate to put down the tutorials and get hands-on. Your first few projects might be a bit of a mess, but that’s totally okay. Mine were, too! Just remember, the more you build, the more you learn. For inspiration, I recently released a project called Fluster, and it has been a great learning experience.

If you can grab a Raspberry Pi, you should definitely try some hardware and software projects with it. It's a fun way to mix programming with hands-on tinkering!

Next step: learn C! It's a classic language, and you can even work on getting Doom to run on something unusual. That could be a fun challenge!

I'm all for the 'build something' philosophy! If you're into solving challenging problems, give Project Euler a shot. It's super rewarding when you finally crack one of those puzzles!

If you're looking for a structured and insightful read, you might want to check out the 'NAND2Tetris' book. It takes you from the ground up, showing you how computer systems work, and by the end, you'll have a totally new perspective on programming.

Honestly, just start coding anything! Whether it's a simple game, an app, or a script, building something is key. If you can collaborate with someone else, that can add a whole new level to your learning. Plus, get into writing tests for your code—it’ll help you a lot in the long run.