Any other independent software developers out here?

[P.S.W.]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if there was any other guys here like me, who run their own 1-man software companies full-time or on the side. I'm not talking about amateur projects, I'm talking about real "professional-looking" software/shareware that you make money from.

Over the past year I developed a software product and started my own small company, including a website for taking on-line orders and everything. This forum has been a great help to me, since when I started developing my program I had only rudimentary VB skills. Business is still very slow for me, as I am still working out the kinks in my software, and can't afford any real advertising, but I am learning a lot :).

If there are others of you out there, I thought we might pool some of our resources and knowledge to our advantage, i.e. help beta-test each others' software, share marketing/business advice, motivate each other, critique each others products/websites, share programming ideas, etc. I was thinking of creating some kind of regular discussion (dare I say "support"?) group where we can chew the fat and help each other become software millionaires :D.

I'm especially looking for people, like me, who are serious about their ventures, looking to be a contender, and are professionals. You should also be willing to help each other out w/constructive comments & advice.

If anyone is interested, drop a post onto this thread w/ a little bio of yourself and let me know what you think of this idea!

[kweyama]

Hi,
I leave in las vegas and I am in the exact same situation you are in. I started out playing aroud with VB due to my first MIS class and due to my profession (baker) and being a gadget nut I wanted to write a program that would store, edit and do everything else possible for my recipes.
Almost 1 1/2 yrs later my project is officially finished, I have a website up and Im posted on Download.com & ZDnet.com. Still sales are still terribly slow because I don't know how else to advertise my software. The worst part about all this I think is that I don't have even one software developer as a friend or atleast someone to brainstorm with (critic, beta testing etc..) Anyway, here is my site: www.utilitysoft.com and I have two products currently up for download as shareware. Check it out and if you're interested let me know. I would love to check out what you do and critic your stuff for you if you do the same for me. I have also accumulated a very large amount of reusable code in my library that I am willing to share. I hope to here from you.