Start Your Own Software Company: A Step-By-Step Guide to Setting Up a Computer Software Business [Paperback]

David J. Cracas (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Pierpoint-Martin (November 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964094584
• ISBN-13: 978-0964094581
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,079,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Out of date, March 22, 2005

By 

Craig Lebakken (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Start Your Own Software Company: A Step-By-Step Guide to Setting Up a Computer Software Business (Paperback)

Much of the advice in this book may have been useful 10 years ago, but isn't relevent today. The picture of a pile of 3.5" floppy disks on the back cover is a good indication of the dated material in the book.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointment, February 20, 2005

By 

DPauze "unsatisfied" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Start Your Own Software Company: A Step-By-Step Guide to Setting Up a Computer Software Business (Paperback)

I've read a few books on business start-ups and found this one to be intuitive, but lacking in depth. Many important aspects are mentioned, but are rarely discussed to any great length.
I found that this book was a good first step into the world of software development business as it raised important business related questions.
It would be innapropriate for me not to mention one major issue I have with the book. The book makes reference to resources in a cd that wasn't even included. At the end of the book, where most CDs are found, there's a sales pitch to call a 1800number to ORDER a cd!
There isn't even a website with supporting documents for this book, which is a luxury that we're accustomed to with other publishers.

I've noted the author, the publisher and would find it difficult to convince myself of buying anything from them again. I tried finding the publisher's website but to my disappointment, the publisher appears to be a business technology solutions provider(not the typical publishing company).

I've called the 1800 number and entered the extension to order the cd(to confirm other people's assertions that it will fail) and found that the extension is indeed invalid. I was offended that a company would try and squeeze more money out of something that other publishers provide for free, but to be directed to an extension that doesn't even exist is even more insulting.

If there's a chance that the publisher sees this... here's a suggestion.

1) If the phone number and extension are typos, provide a website to correct these publishing errors...

2) If you no longer support this publication, provide a website to inform people who buy it.

3) If you are considering another publication, provide the cd with the text and forget about trying for another sale (it may damage your reputation as it has in my mind)

If after all this, you're still considering this book... it's a good first step, but take note that you'll need to take many other steps towards business success.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but a bit of a lost-leader, April 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Start Your Own Software Company: A Step-By-Step Guide to Setting Up a Computer Software Business (Paperback)

I thought this was a good reference for someone interested in starting a software company, but with no previous background. It is written in a simple style, and touches on everything. I had found much of the information in other places, but it is very good to have it all bound together in one place.

I have one, major complaint. Every other page of the book, it seems, refers to forms, contact information, or further topical information that is on the companion CD. The CD does NOT come with the book, however. If you call the number listed on the back page, you will find that it is available for $29.95.

It is frustrating to be constantly reminded in the text that you do not have much of the available information in hand, but could if you spend another $30. It's a nice piece of marketing by the author, I guess, but it has damaged his credibility with me. I won't purchase other books by him in the future.