Hocus Pocus Labs LLC, or Pocus Labs for short, was founded in 2020 by me, Austin Pocus. I love making things, and with Pocus Labs, I'm aiming for a different direction, more creative than consumptive.
I've been writing code professionally for 10 years, and unprofessionally a lot longer. I started when I was 13 (without giving away my age, I'm old enough to remember dial-up, and my first PC ran Windows 98). I wanted to make games, but ended up making websites — c'est la vie. I've enjoyed it so far, to be completely honest, but it's time to shift gears here.
Most software now is built for consumption, for you to scroll endlessly, eating your attention (and your drive to do things, to make things). I believe in building software that betters the world whenever possible, and that's not some BS Silicon Valley-style "changing the world" with...some new spreadsheet tool or whatever. No. I want to change the world for the better by empowering people to create things.
Pocus Labs is currently where my side projects are happening. Where the action is, so to speak. You can also read my blog at austinpocus.com if you want semi-regular updates, technical esoterica, or just a good ol' internet rant. I'll eventually start blog.pocuslabs.com, but...not now.
The eventual goal of Pocus Labs is to be the peaceful, creative equivalent of Northrup Grumman or BBN or the other big research firms — pure R&D. I just won't build anything that is intentionally designed to hurt anyone. I especially want to pursue software and other digital experiences that help people create, or feel creative. That's the ultimate goal. I want your grandma to make stuff on the computer, and enjoy doing it!