Recently, I’ve had a few people ask me how Tasks sales are going and if I am indeed making a living selling my software. I’m happy to report that I’m not starving just yet. 
Before I took the plunge, I was a little anxious about leaving the safety of a salary for the unknown of self-employment. Brent Simmons was kind enough to take a phone call with me to let me ask him about the feasibility of becoming an independant developer. What he told me is right in line with what I’ve experienced: it’s hard work and it’s scary but it’s also a lot of fun and very rewarding.
Since I started selling Tasks Pro™ at the end of February, I’ve spent about 80-90% of my time working on Tasks Pro™, Tasks and Use Tasks. Like I mentioned yesterday, I’m very pleased to have those released and the systems in place so I can get back to adding features and building functionality.
The other 10-20% of my time has mostly been spent doing contract work. I enjoy taking on small contract jobs; they give me a chance to work on a variety of different things and interact with interesting people. I do enjoy the contract work, but I’m also glad that I haven’t had to turn to doing contract work full time (yet, knock on wood).
So far, the sales have been steady enough to justify spltting up my work time that way. I’m not making what I was working for a BigCo, but I have a lot more freedom and control over what I’m doing.
Tomorrow I’ll post a little more about what my work day is like, what I like about working for (and by) myself and what I miss about working with a team.
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Geof adds this Comment:
Someone asked me the other day how you were doing.
July 1st, 2004 at 9:58 am
Bill adds this Comment:
I am glad that you made the commitment to build Tasks. It is a killer app. I have been in Seattle this week and had an opportunity to hang out with a bunch of former Octane folks. It is amazing how we are all doing our own thing. Hope to see you in July. You have balls to do it on your own. Cheers
July 1st, 2004 at 2:06 pm
Chriskac adds this Comment:
I’m very interested in hearing what your day is like…
July 1st, 2004 at 2:35 pm
Bert Garcia adds this Comment:
I’ve worked for myself for the last 15 years. The first 2 years were rather strange but I’m very used to it now.
With the advent of the Internet, I don’t feel alone anymore. I can bounce ideas off of people via email, forums and blogs.
I can’t see myself working in a cubicle ever again, I’d rather drive a truck
July 1st, 2004 at 5:21 pm
alexking.org: Blog adds this Trackback:
Daily Routine, Life as an Independant Developer
It’s been just over 6 months since we moved from the Bay Area to Denver and I switched from a 8-5 (ok, 10-7) job working for a software company to striking out on my own as an independent software developer. In those six months, I’ve gotten my fi…
July 2nd, 2004 at 9:08 am
krapo adds this Comment:
Hi,
I am very much interrested to know how many customers you have
What is the rate of new customer you had, … and think you’ll realistically have ?
enjoy your independant day !
Florent
July 2nd, 2004 at 9:32 am
alexking.org: Blog adds this Trackback:
Lunch with Brent
While I was in Seattle last weekend I had a chance to have lunch with Brent Simmons. Brent is the developer of NetNewsWire and someone who graciously took the time to encourage me and answer my questions when I was considering venturing out on my own l…
September 16th, 2004 at 10:21 am