Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Questionable prose and questionable advice, July 11, 2006
This review is from: Software That Sells : A Practical Guide to Developing and Marketing Your Software Project (Paperback)
It is clear from the beginning that the book has appeal, since it addresses a much-coveted, yet requently under-serviced body of knowledge. I bought the book because the foreward, table of contents and back page met my needs and read well. Unfortunately, I feel that the book does not deliver. Ultimately, for such a meaty subject as this and the bold claims made, I was expecting fresh answers to tough questions. However not only were my needs not met, I often found the author passing off rudimentary conclusions as good advice. When the direction of a software venture is in your hands, you are expecting a little more than 'find it and fix it' as the solution to 'there is a show-stopping bug in your final release'. I'm afraid that is not the kind of expert advice one expects when investing in a text such as this. I actually returned this book due to my disappointment - and I have not been motivated to do that for many years! P.S. On a side note, the author's sentence structure does not scan very well and I found myself reading the more colloquial passages several times over. There are also several spelling mistakes (including 'course code' instead of 'source code', which can only happen when using spell-check without a human proof-reader).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Software that Sells vs. Micro ISV: 5-4, April 26, 2008
This review is from: Software That Sells : A Practical Guide to Developing and Marketing Your Software Project (Paperback)
Before I read this book, I have read Micro ISV by Bob Walsh. As many would opt for that book first, I found this book much more compelling.
Being a software entrepreneur for several years now took me ahead of Micro ISV. I found the book very comprehensive and detailed for people who want to start their own business and get a jump-start into the world of computer business. I recognized a lot of the writings and it was fun to read again. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to be taught from that book even when you're in business for over five years, but I skipped half te book because of this.
Now with Software that Sells, I read 75 percent of the book, even though I normally read them in full. This book does not only teaches you on developing and marketing your own product, it also 'tickles' your drive to make your product the best there is on the market. This book caught me at the right spot, at the right time, as we're in the final phase of a huge software development project. I am sure this book has made our product even better.
You want to start-up your own ISV? Grab Micro ISV. You want to play in the big league? First read Micro ISV and move on to a copy of Software that Sells.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent tool for marketing software, August 8, 2007
This review is from: Software That Sells : A Practical Guide to Developing and Marketing Your Software Project (Paperback)
Software that Sells is a great tool for anybody who has questions about effective and proven ways to market and develop your software project, literally from start to finish. Having read the book cover to cover, I continue to utilize it for advice, input and tips from each relevant section. Currently I am working marketing an IT project, so I am not on the development side of the company. However, Hasted's sections on programming and development were extremely helpful for understanding these processes and how they directly affect the marketing efforts. I have shared much of this valuable information to other departments at my organization.
This book was most helpful to me because it covers many topics related to software development and implementation, where my knowledge and experience within the software industry is very limited. It is a great overview of the processes involved and helps me appreciate the roles my colleagues do. This book is the equivalent to having a co-worker with 20 years of experience in an ever-changing industry, who is more than happy to give you advice on everything from marketing through development.
I believe this book would be most helpful to small businesses or individual entrepreneurs whose strengths may lie in a specific area (programming) but lack in others (marketing, company set-up, sales, etc.). However it can equally be used by any software company looking for new methods, tips, and tricks on managing staff, marketing, and sales. It's a compendium of check-lists and reminders.
This book is a quick read, as well as a great tool that should be kept in the office for years to come. Hasted will have you laughing with his unique sense of humor throughout the book (I never knew software could be funny!).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
