On Jul 11, 2006, at 7:25 AM, Julia Thompson wrote:
Have you considered trying to get a job with a company that writes
architectural software? Seems like that might be a decent fit. But I
understand the appeal of self-employment.
Julia
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Well, thank you for your concern.
I do keep my eye open to these developments and have no great desire to
remain independent, especially now that I have a family to provide for
- but the industry has changed. I have sought roles like this many
times over the years, but truth be known there is not that much
software being developed and few leaders take risks exploring new
products. My own experience of late demonstrates executives all-too
ready to shaft a local team once the design & art spec reaches working
prototype and localization issues established - shipping the package
overseas for completion wins our flag-pin wearing neo-nobility {guess
my bias} Brownie points while leaving citizens staring at a cut-short
project at only 1/3 the budget expected. It's a real, recurring,
problem.
Also, there have been a whole heap of us refugees from the
building/product design world in this sector. The fine technical line
and creative product design aspects of the field made for easy
transitions for many into the computer industry. I don't feel there is
great competition from this quarter, per se, because I always welcome
these kindred spirits. Many prefer the information architect path &
milk big corps for an IT living - there just isn't that much design
software being created as the industry ossifies and consolidates around
fewer products. The whole high-tech consumer field has shrunk and what
little growth that has occurred is off-shored to India. I was a
defense contractor working on security simulations when 9-11 occurred,
but that turmoil froze every budget {even security-oriented!} until
teams simply had to disband ... and my politics makes for uncomfortable
uniformed bosses now in charge ready to frown on semi-shaved "creative"
types. I've weathered several recessions with ease, but I never
thought I should leave the field until just recently.
I'm more interested in applying myself to niche markets that simply
don't show up on most corporate marketing radar... Games would be my
first choice as this relates to the IP I've been nursing for my novel,
but everything from hobby groups, religious accounting or retirement
home software all can target significant populations, but fall through
mass-market cracks as CEO's keep their eyes on horizon-sized pieces of
pie. I also like this because it keeps things much more intimately
local.
Mostly, we just need the economy to function properly again.
Jonathan Gibson
www.formandfunction.com/word
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