Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality (Paperback)

~ (Author), Joel Spolsky (Foreword)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

<p>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 latter&emdash;are you a programmer and curious about being your own boss? Where do you turn for information? Until now, online and traditional literature haven't caught up with the reality of the post-dot.com bust.</p>

<p><i>Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality</i> explains what works and why in today's 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 field&emdash;this 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 you're interested in getting started.</p>

About the Author

Bob Walsh has been a contract software developer in the San Francisco Bay area for the past 22 years, specializing in desktop information systems. His company, Safari Software, Inc., has for the past decade amazingly focused on the same thing, albeit at a higher hourly rate.</p>

<p>In 2003, as outsourcing finished what the dot.com bust started, he developed MasterList Standard Version, an Excel-based project and task management application. Two years and 40,000 users later, Safari Software, Inc., became a real live tooting micro-ISV by releasing MasterList Professional, a Windows personal project and task management application that, unlike traditional time management tools, gives you total control over your business and personal life while improving how you spend your time.</p>

<p>Before joining the ranks of the computer industry, Walsh was a reporter for several news organizations, most worth bragging about being United Press International (UPI).</p>

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1st edition (January 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590596013
• ISBN-13: 978-1590596012
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #168,220 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Launching and running a Micro-ISV, January 11, 2006

By	Thomas Rushton (Leeds, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding read for the small IT businessperson..., March 11, 2006

By	Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant starting point, September 23, 2006

By	B. Ellison (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.