Making a living??

**Radar** · Apr 27th, 2001, 08:51 PM

How many of you are making a significant amount of money as freelance programmers? I am talking specifically about shareware & commercial program authors. You don't need to reply with any private details, just a yay or nay. The reason I am asking this is twofold -

1) I just finished a debate on another part of the net with an individual who strongly believes that the whole software industry is and should be open-source, and that all programmers should just give everything away for free. This person also says that shareware authors are not and have never made a significant amount of money.

2) My wife is a little pi**ed because I sold a rather sucessful automotive repair business to persue my dream of programming before I really do get too old(no offense to anyone intended - I'm almost 40).
Anyway, yes/no answers and opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

- Radar

**SurfDemon** · Apr 27th, 2001, 10:28 PM

I'm a contract programmer (i.e. I work on projects for 3-9 months for large companies), and yes I and everyone I know who does it (about 50 people) make ridiculously large amounts of money doing it.

I don't know about shareware etc. Never done that. Your mate who wants to give software away is welcome to his opinions, but where would you be if you repaired cars for free, or built houses for free or hey, lets give away beer for free! (actually I rather like the last idea). This is a good profession to be in.

SD (why use only 1 word when 100 will do!)

**Radar** · Apr 29th, 2001, 09:39 AM

Gee.......
Judging from the amount of replies I've gotten to this, mabye the guy I've been arguing with is right.....mabye shareware authors really aren't making anything??

**parksie** · Apr 29th, 2001, 09:50 AM

Well, it's different situations. Most open-source developers are students (let's face it). The people that make money out of it, that work at Microsoft or SGI, tend to be on the older side.

My philosophy is -- be cheap while you're young, because your parents will be there to support you, plus you get a good reputation

Then, when you're older and supporting yourself completely, either get a real job somewhere, or start your own business and spend all day coding (nice prospect

).

**chrisjk** · Apr 29th, 2001, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by parksie
start your own business and spend all day coding (nice prospect ).

Or spend all day on these here forums.

**Active** · Apr 29th, 2001, 11:09 PM

I am a Freelancer !

I from the beginning thought everyone should be giving their software for free until i had the chance to work for money.

I realized that being a software developer is just as being any other professional, doctor, lawyer, engineer. As far as I know not many of these professionals offer their service for free ! So why the hell, only the Software Professional should do it for free ! After all, don't they get ill and pay the doctor ? Get their house constructed after paying their engineers ? If at all they provide something free there always is some person who sue them for something that are least expected of it ? And They Do have to Pay their Lawyers !

So, the more I hear about open source and about peoplewho give their software for free, the respect i have for them raises in stature. Thus said, People who sell their services for a price should not be treated like robbers for the simple reason that they have a family to support and it becomes more important than the academic interest in developing something for free !.

----
About shareware:
In January 2000 a significant acheivement for the developers of MIRC the Irc Client software. They had the 10th shareware registration for the software, since it was released as a shareware some 6 years ago,after some millions of downloads and it was only $20 !
http://www.ircnews.com/archives/story010303.html
----

The moral of the story... If you want something to be developed for the sake of your interest , keep it free by all means. If you are in need of money and and can overcome the pulse to provide it free, make sure that your services are not taken as a free lunch !
---

My Personal scale :

If my software will be helpful to a large section of people, and setting it a price might change their perspective about the software. I would make it a freeware.

If my software is for a small section of people who desperately need some software to simplify their job and if this section of people are indirectly/directly helping my society, I would opt tolet them have it free !

However if this small section of the people are more inclined in providing their services for a price, then I would sell them my services for a price.

scoutt · Apr 30th, 2001, 01:51 AM

I think for the most part I would have to agree with Active.

Radar, not to change the subject but what part of SO oregon are you in?

Scoutt

**kedaman** · Apr 30th, 2001, 07:13 AM

28

**Kzin** · Apr 30th, 2001, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by parksie
Well, it's different situations. Most open-source developers are students (let's face it). The people that make money out of it, that work at Microsoft or SGI, tend to be on the older side.

My philosophy is -- be cheap while you're young, because your parents will be there to support you, plus you get a good reputation Then, when you're older and supporting yourself completely, either get a real job somewhere, or start your own business and spend all day coding (nice prospect ).

There doen't seem to be a :nods wisely: icon but I agree with Mike here but would add that part of your reputation (to the commercial world at least) will depend on what you have been paid previously so when you do get the opportunity to get paid go right for it rather than holding out a bit longer to improve your reputation etc.

**Radar** · Apr 30th, 2001, 02:07 PM

Hey Scoutt.....I'm just over the hill from ya in Klamath Falls...

I wrote a shareware app last year and released it in October for a $20.00 reg fee. So far, I've sold 55 copies, which isn't much, but its a good start I think. I'm kinda thinking from what I'm getting here that I'll finish & release the shareware & freeware products that I'm working on, and go back to being a mechanic for the mainstream income(Geez I HATE working on cars!), and use the software biz for beer money

unless it makes a substantial amount or I get a big contract........

**Cander** · Apr 30th, 2001, 02:58 PM

I dont make living strictly off freelancing, but I make good deal extra cash doing freelancing here and there to suplement my full time Programming job.

1) I do not agree on everything should be open source. I spend alot of time making software and should be paid for my sweat and tears. If everything went open source then that would put alot of people in the poor house. Shareware makes no money? Not true at all. If you have a good product, there are plenty of people out there that are honest enough to pay for it. Especially business use products.

2) Lots of people have mid-life career changes. And they do well. Unfortunatly the way things are going these days, I wouldnt try to do solely Free lancing to start off.

**SurfDemon** · Apr 30th, 2001, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by Radar
I'm kinda thinking from what I'm getting here that I'll finish & release the shareware & freeware products that I'm working on, and go back to being a mechanic for the mainstream income(Geez I HATE working on cars

Why don't you try applying for some programming work with an agency or some such. There are loads out there.

I only know Canadian ones, but for an example of some of the jobs companies have available look at the calgary based www.sisystems.com this should give you an idea as to wether you think you can do the job.

SD

scoutt · Apr 30th, 2001, 03:56 PM

hey Radar Jackson County is looking for a programmer analysis. if your interested. that is great you finished a shareware program, me I' m still learning and can't get past my problem I got now, but on eof these day I will.

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