I'll take bribes too :-) Thanks, Peter, I'll take you up on your offer. A lot of people would be interested especially the people I'm interested in getting part time coders, hobbyist which could be coders in High School or College, and they would love to hear about you as a CORPORATE CODER, your work enviornment, for people like me does your company hire people without a degree ;-) etc... Let me get some base questions written down and I'll be happy to email those to you. You being a corporate coder I find really valuable and your insight would be greatly appreciated. Let me start getting those questions together I'm not passing up on this oppurtunity :-) Sam C

Thanks COLIN it is not an enterprise so to say but a labor of "love". And I agree with you, CHRIS has invested a lot of time and money to develop this site that is why I do not post any URLs about my site on HIS website under the thread WEBSITE IDEAL, or NEW WEBSITE please visit type of crud. And CODE PROJECT will be prominently featured on my website, with no need for reciprocation. I do not want to reinvent the wheel if it can be done programmatically good chances are that CP already has a tut on it :-) Sorry to hear you are busy would have liked to have done an interview with you ;-) I hope you have a chance even for an email interview sometime so you can promo your new shareware app (wink, wink). Hopefully, some other developers would like the oppurtunity to be interviewed, any volunteers? Once more thanks for the vote of confidence, Colin, and I'll email you the link to the site when I settle on a name or what not :-) Sam C

I was thinking of creating another website with these premises and wonder what anyone thinks. I'm posting the idea here because I have learned to value your opinions :-) And my *new* website will not be in direct nor indirect competition with CodeProject. I basically want to create a website for hobby or part time developers that focuses on interviews, of others who have walked that path, people who where succesful, why they failed, etc..., reviews mostly of products that part timers can afford, web links, (A BIG LINK TO CODE PROJECT, I'm not going to reinvent the wheel with tutorials) news about new controls, compilers, maybe pics of conferences. I want to cater to the beginning developer or one who wants to break into the industry, do interviews with Human Resource people at companies asking what they are looking for in an applicant (specifically catered to non-degree holders, like myself). Maybe some tuturoials, but really beginning tuts that would offend most members here at CP :-) (pointer creation and destruction, variable types, etc...) The links would mostly consist of a MAJOR link to CP (you can be a professional coder just reading the stuff posted here! and it has saved my butt a couple of times), links to reg sites that would sell your software, links to beta sites, links and major links to other part time developer sites. Oh, here's an ideal link to a developers website and there product prominently featured on the home page if they agree to an interview. (hint, hint Colin ;-) ) In the beginning the site will primarily focus on VC++ and VB developers and hence Window development(since those are the only languages I know). If anyone wants to help with other languages or compilers I would welcome them, and if anyone who has developed and distributed a program whether it was freeware or shareware wants to be a guinea pig for an interview, I would welcome the oppurtunity. Mostly the site would be a reference site with lots of "Chicken Soup for the Part Time Developers soul". I want to here success stories and people's trial and tribulations, even failures because I believe the good ones learn from their failures and move on. Any input would be greatly appreciated by anyone! Sam C

True it all seems to be ones "point of view" then, well actually the point of view of the person the you are in negotiations with :-) Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Actually it is going at a decent rate right now for myself:-) Usually I have to wait awhile while it loads, especially when browsing the forums, yech X| I'll let you know later on tonight during primetime here in Monterey, CA USA. It is usually slow around that time, between 7-9PM. Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Along the same lines if you ask them to front a figure for you doesn't that as well show them you do not have "great business accumen" as well? I feel that going the other way around by giving them a quote that is much higher and then negotiating down is better. That way they feel they are getting a bargain by the lowered price, and if you pad it just right you may come out making more than you have anticipated for in the beginning :-) For example you feel that $60/hour is fair, you pitch the job for $75, they come down to $65 you make $5 more than you anticipated :-) I work this way, but I don't do it often so I can't give you a good track record if it works out well in the long run. Plus they feel that they are getting you at a deal, or bargain, in which you make them feel better about the whole thing. Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

NICE! I like this one :-) Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Here's a pretty good install program I have found on the web, best of all it is FREE! http://www.digitalweb.com.br/installwizard/ Installwizard has many features of it's high priced bretheran but I havent had a chance to put it through its paces though. Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

I too have a Toshiba, actually typing in the reply on it, model Satellite 3005. It does get way warm when I am working for awhile with it plugged in our not. The heat seems to be concentrated on the bottom near the processor and RAM. Don't worry, I've been using mine for the last couple of months and it's still chugging along :-) Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

FREEWARE this poses an interesting dilemna and one that made me hesitate so many times on writing a software application for the masses. Is why create something when someone also creates a freeware product that is just as good if not better than commercial applications. Take for example GIMP great product freeware. But then again if freeware was so great why are companies like Adobe or Jasc still prospering? I believe the consumer is also making a purchase based on security and peace of mind. Do I go with a freeware application which has no direct lines of support or a commercial product and depending on how much money I invest they would have a dedicated support department set up for just me. Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

I too feel too much weight on a product purchase relies on the price of the item. I am a "thrifty" buyer when I purchase something I will research both items and price only becomes an issue after I have determined whether both of these products are actually the same, if they are my pocket book leans towards the cheaper version ;-) But that is something we should start doing and that is drive up consumer awareness. Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Here is how much I'm worried about download size and footprint of my application, and the reason I want beta testers because I can't afford any of the Numega tools ;-) Since my applications is written using MFC 4.2 I have the run time DLL issue unless I straight compile it statically. Here is how bad I want to lower the K size of my distro. I was thinking of writing an activeX control and placing it on my web page and have it look on the user system for any DLL, OCX, etc... that my program needs, based on that information it would direct the user to the smallest distro available for their system. I know it sounds lame, but I harken back to the days when word processors and spread sheats fitted on one 5 1/4" disk ;-) Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

First off let me say thanks Colin for referring to me as a shareware author :-) (The pressure, the pressure!) I too am interested in this subject matter, and frankly, this is one of the reasons I have been so adamant in thinking of creating a "shareware" company. There are many good products I see out there with cut throat pricing on of them is AX-ICONS for $14 it is a package that rivals Microangelo, and it looks like something that will take more than a one man development team to create. Also one software anecdote I would like to point out is the conversion of Power Archiver from it's freeware roots to shareware. I remember their forums the next day they announced the PowerArchiver will no longer be freeware, they where ripped a new ARSE! Also with the $9 and $69 product comparison, I believe what also helps consumer make purchasing decisions is presentation...I bet the $69 product had some great web page or 4 color slick paper brochure. The only thing the creator of the $9 product can do is just educate the consumer, show them why his/her product is better. I feel that I could just make a product and charge maybe $5-10 for it (pay for the matinee movie my son and I can watch :-) ) and whoever regs they reg it, and if not...not! Again, I am not looking at being a "shareware" author full time as my lively hood. --------------------------Follow Up--------------- Had to add this to my post. Do you think the shareware model is the best model to follow? What about donation-ware, honest-ware, etc...? Also for people who have "shareware" out there what are ballpark ratios of downloads to Registered Users? Do you get 1 Registered user out of 1000 downloads, etc... This might be a nice figure to have ;-) -------------------------------------------------- Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Thanks for the link! I'm going to add it to my collection of links! :-) Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Since you gave information to download.com what other software download site do you recommend that will give you max exposure without having you wait forever for them to actually post a link to your software on it? Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Colin, Thanks for your reply the link you have given me is great! You answered my question before I had a chance to ask it. It looks like VMTU is working well for you, that is something I wanted to do was release a couple of freeware apps just to entice the public :-) Can I ask how do you generate your registration code? No I do not want the exact algorithm but the method used, or if you have a site link with that type of information it would be much appreciated! I was just thinking of getting the user name and information and such and just XOR some values. I know it sounds pretty lame, but this is one part of programming I never had to deal with since all applications I have developed up until this point has been in house apps. Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Now that was a cool :cool: response! Thanks for the vote of encouragement and some other ideals. I'm not looking at this to be my "MAJOR" source of income, but it's something I enjoy doing even away from work. And I figure I can save up any money I may make, if at all, and put it away to but some more cool libraries, tools, and VS .NET. Since my current company has no plans on buying it :-( And I just have to have the latest toys out :-) Oh yeah and take my son to the matinees too...whew almost left that one out! :-O Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Hi, I was wondering how all of you who have developed shareware applications get the word out on your product and acquired beta testers? I am close to releasing a simple shareware app and would like to know how others have went about it, as this is my first foray into "hobby" shareware-development. I have finally gotten off of my arse, after going through some rough times with my ex-wife, job, personal problems, ex girlfriend, basically life in general. X| I'm not looking to create a GIANT software company but a few extra dollars on the side wouldn't hurt, in addition to my current income :-) I can take my son to the movies during Matiness for $10... Thanks in advance for any replies. Sam C ---- Allsys Technologies http://www.allsystech.com "Making software simpler..."

Hi, Does anyone here have a favorite algorithm and/or method for generating serial numbers for users on applications you have written? If so, I would be very appreciative if you would share them :-) I am on the verge of writing my first shareware application and would like to implement this feature. Also if you have any other ways or methods I would greatly appreciate hearing them...(i.e. links to articles on web pages, links to algorithms or methods, etc...) I am not looking for something CRACK proof but something just to make it look a little more professional, and have casual users register. TIA for any answers. :-) Sam C ---- Systems Manager Hospitality Marketing Associates

Hi, Has anyone run across this problem when after installing the August SDK this error message appears during the IDL build phase? If so, what was your solution to get rid of it? I created a project using the ATL COM wizard and when I try to build the very code it generates this error message appears. I have done a search on my hard drive and can not locate this file. I have also tried looking for this error message on MSDN but to no avail. Is there a preproccesor definition to get rid of XML support in a ATL COM file? This is ridiculous the COM program I am building does not require XML support, and why would MS include XML support and not have the right idl files to support just a plain vanilla build of Wizard generated code? I have also tried d/l the latest MS XML SDK and that did not work either it did not include this file as well. Thanks in advance for any help or comments! Sam C ---- Systems Manager Hospitality Marketing Associates