|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
|
Product Description
Product Description
There is nothing else available like it that covers so much territory about the basics of starting and running a small software company. Just buy it and read it.
— Thomas Warfield, asharewarelife.com
Micro-independent software vendors, or micro-ISVs, have become both a major source of applications and a realistic career alternative for IT professionals. As for the latterare you a programmer and curious about being your own boss? Where do you turn for information? Until now, online and traditional literature havent caught up with the reality of the post-dot.com bust.
Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality explains what works and why in todays emerging micro-ISV sector. Currently, thousands of programmers build and deliver great solutions ISV-style, earning success and revenues much larger than you might guess. Written by and for micro-ISVs, with help from some of the leaders of the fieldthis book takes you beyond just daydreaming to running your own business. It thoroughly explores how it is indeed possible to launch and maintain a small and successful ISV business, and is an ideal read if youre interested in getting started.
About the Author
Bob Walsh 47 is the founder of 47Hats, a consulting firm/blog/startup dedicated to helping startups succeed, the author of Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality, podcaster in chief of the Startup Success Podcast, co-moderator of the Joel on Software's Business of Software forum, and creator of StartupToDo.com, a online productivity app and community for startup and microISVs.
At his company, Safari Software, Inc., Bob was a contract software developer for over 20 years before launching, selling and ultimately selling off a Windows personal task manager commercial application. Before getting into IT, Walsh was a reporter for several news organizations, most worth bragging about being United Press International (UPI).
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Both good and bad, but worth the money...,
By
This review is from: Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality (Paperback)
I liked this book on the whole, as it covered the ground of building a small software business at an appropriate level of detail; he gives some good advice, has links to some good tools, (although as one review pointed out, this could get outdated very quickly as a result...Take note Bob Walsh...update often!) and backs up his assertions with both his own experience as a Micro-ISV and that of others who have 'walked the walk'. One thing I didn't like too much was that while he covers starting up a business in the US, UK and Australia, he missed Canada! I know that some of our systems are very similar to the US and UK both, but not exactly the same. This isn't a major drawback, as there are plenty of other books out there that can guide someone in this. In fact, were it up to me I'd suggest that he kill that section entirely, as it doesn't really add to the book in any way, (in fact it might detract from it, as he could have used the space to go into greater detail elsewhere, such as the chapter on development in a micro-isv.) One thing I did like however was his writing style. He writes in a very engaging manner; at times, it felt as though we were sitting down in a quite coffee shop discussing this stuff in person. I look forward to further titles on this topic from the author!
4.0 out of 5 stars
good book, but may become outdated quickly,
By
This review is from: Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality (Paperback)
This is one of the few books dedicated to the microISV market. The author does a great job of illustrating all the non technical issues, along with solutions:), that any developer will run into when starting their own microISV.Where this book differs from most is that instead of talking about the issues from 10 000 feet, this book provides a very practical reference of material. For example, while most books will tell you that you'll need a payment system and perhaps even talk about your options, this book lists several companies providing payment options: breaking them down by cost, features and service. The book even goes as far as to show you their websites and tell you why you might choose one over another. Other topics it covers in this level of detail include: - Getting your own Microsoft contact. - Obtaining Microsoft software on the cheap - Getting an icon designed for your company, how much and where Unfortunetly, this books greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Due to the level of detail this book goes into, its possible that in a few years some of the advice this book dishes out may be out of date, though I'm thankful for the advice. Just buy the book right away and this isn't a problem:) Pros: - great level of detail - literally steps you through all the steps to setting up a microISV - deals with the topics most developers gloss over Cons: - Some of the information in this book may be out of date sooner than most books of this type.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars (35 customer reviews) 20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Launching and running a Micro-ISV,
By Thomas Rushton - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality (Paperback)
The steps involved in setting up a small software business can be daunting. Walsh has gone through the process himself, from his own "vision to reality", and has written this book in an attempt to show other prospective Micro-ISVs (Independent (or Internet) Software Vendors) the way. As well as drawing on his own experience, Walsh has also interviewed many other successful micro-ISV founders who provide their own insights, including Joel Spolsky of Fog Creek Software, and names from big companies such as Microsoft and Google.This book focuses on the requirements for running a business in the USA, but includes large sections for those based in the UK and Australia. It also provides a short tutorial in David Allen's "Getting Things Done" personal productivity methodology. The book contains the following chapters: (1) "Having a Vision" shows that it is still possible to make a fast billion, even in the post dot-com era. (2) "Micro-ISV Development" shows that it is not just the programming that counts, but the basic design, implement, test life-cycle, and some of the tools that can help. We are also shown a couple of Walsh's own prototypes from his MasterList task & project management software. (3) "The Product" is not just the application you have written. This chapter shows what else is involved, from icons to demos, domain names and websites (including blogs), and the all-important pricing and selling. (4) "Business is Business" goes through the pros and cons of different sorts of businesses that can be set up in the USA (and also for the UK and Australia), copyright, licensing, and provides some tips on getting things done. (5) "Focus on the Customer" includes marketing tips, technical support, and handling the vast amount of email that a Micro-ISV can receive, together with a round-up of tools to help with these tasks. (6) "Welcome to your Industry" and, more to the point, how to cope with the big boys, indeed, how to get them to work for you. Walsh shows us round a few of Microsoft's programmes. He also shows us some of the peer-to-peer resources available to the budding Micro-ISV. (7) "What Happens Next?" brings us a slew of interviews with various people who have also been down this road. In summary, a useful handbook of how to set up a Micro-ISV, and how to keep it moving, and I look forward to seeing where Walsh goes next. 15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding read for the small IT businessperson...,
By Thomas Duff "Duffbert" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality (Paperback)
I have a number of professional colleagues who have gone the route of becoming micro-ISVs or ISV (independent software vendors). While I know it's a lot of work, I don't think I realized exactly what all goes into that. Bob Walsh has what I would consider a "must read" title if you're in that area or thinking of going down that path... Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality.Contents: Having a Vision; Developing the Micro-ISV Way; Presenting the Product; Business is Business; Focusing on the Customer; Welcome to Your Industry; What Happens Next?; Appendix; Index The fact I'm reading this doesn't mean I'm contemplating quitting my day job. :) Apress sent me the book and it looked interesting enough that it ended up in my backpack for reading while at work. What I found inside was a lot of wisdom and advice that can give the small entrepreneur a fighting chance to succeed on their own. Not only has Walsh traveled this path before, but he's enlisted the advice of a number of other successful micro-ISVs in the way of stories and interviews. The overall result is that you get an extremely realistic view of what you will encounter if you choose this path. He deals with everything from the motivation behind the decision to launch your own business, to best practices in setting up your development environment to lay the groundwork for future growth (and less headaches), to how coexist with the 800-pound gorilla in the room known as Microsoft. Even if you're not thinking of going independent, there are a number of websites he covers that are nearly worth the price of the book. For instance, there are sites where you can get stock photography to use to create nice websites (without paying a bundle in royalties). There are sites that cover the competitive landscape of your customers and competitors, which is just good business practice to follow regardless of who's writing your paycheck. He even talks about how you can set up automated feeds to scan for mentions of your site/company/product in news and blogs. Again, an excellent practice to follow for more than just small development companies. This is one of those books that goes on a short "homework" pile for me. Now that I've read the book, I need to go back through it at my computer and bookmark the sites that grabbed my attention. And if I were ever to contemplate striking out on my own, my first task would be to re-read this book and start taking serious notes. It's money well spent to swing the odds in your favor. A recommended read... 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant starting point,
By B. Ellison - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality (Paperback)
This book is a great kick in the pants for all those who have dreamed of making millions by building software. I read it from cover to cover within days and have started reading it again and taking some serious notes. Before venturing into ISV-land, Walsh was a journalist so the book is very easy to read.The book contains numerous interviews with people who have started their own ISVs which is this books strength and its weakness. It's great to hear from people who have been there and done it. And it is great to compare there stories and views. But by the end of the book you get the feeling that some were included merely to add a few more pages. Also, I wish these interviews weren't on a grey background - it makes them a little hard to read in low light. Non-US customers should note the book does contain information on starting up outside the US but it is a little thin. |
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
