A micro-ISV is a one-person company which develops software
which is sold mainly over the internet.

This book is targeted at software developers who know how to
write software and now would like to know how to start a business
on this skill.

If you are a programmer and would like to start your own business
based on a software product, you need to change your mind-set.
Now you need to think about your customers. You need to understand
the way your customers perceives your product.

Your software application alone is not your product. Your product
consists of web site, graphics, payment processing and overall customer
experience.

This book is about alle these non-coding aspects of starting your
own business.

For me the most interesting chapter is the last one where several
micro-ISVs tell their stories. These stories are sorted in three
different categories: emerging ISVs, successfull ISVs and very
successfull ISVs. You can learn a lot from these existing ISVs.

Many "how-to" business books pretend they are going to show you how to take your business from nothing to hundreds of millions in sales overnight.

"Micro-ISV" is refreshingly different.

First, it is written specifically for those who want to bring personal computer software to the market through their own small, independent company. Second, it is about small companies. There is little here for the person who believes they are going to become a software billionaire. Rather, this is for the person with a good idea who wants to launch a software development and publishing enterprise that will remain small, except in the most exceptional circumstances.

There are, in fact, thousands of small software publishers throughout the world who earn respectable incomes from their efforts. Some are truly small and the earnings of their publishing enterprise supplement the income from their day job. Others make quite significant sums from their products.

Third, Bob Walsh does not peddle dreams or impossible schemes. He lays out a practical program for every step of creating your own "Micro-ISV" from having a vision, as he puts it, through developing and marketing your product. He even covers forms of business organization, which would be helpful for the complete neophyte.

Walsh's orientation is toward Microsoft and the Universe it has created, which is about 90% of all the computers in the world. He offers a lot of extremely useful information about Microsoft and how even the smallest developer can benefit from their many support and assistance programs. Speaking from personal experience, Microsoft's support for developers is truly outstanding and Walsh presents the most detailed exposition of their developer support programs I've ever seen. (Note that some of Microsoft's programs have changed since "Micro-ISV" was published.)

There are many sidebars featuring interviews with successful small developers or short case studies. Some of the interviews are fascinating such as those with David Allen, the author of "Getting Things Done", an approach to time management that has attracted an almost cult-like following (and that is a compliment) and Joel Spoelsky, founder of Fog Creek software, who is something of a legend in his own time.

Overall, this is a remarkable how-to business book for anyone who believes they have an idea for a marketable software product.

Jerry

This book has a lot of good information on starting your own Micro-ISV. It does focus a lot on PC based software instead of Corporate Enterprise Software, but to be fair it's harder to build and sell Enterprise Level software with a few people.

There are lots of good interviews with people that have succeeded in starting their own company and as expected it's not an easy route, but most seemed to be enjoying what they do.

I only read half the book. Then why still rate it four stars?

Having my own ISV for over six years now I have arrived at the point of having 10 people in my staff and having experienced most things any startup will bump upon. Sometimes that makes you think you've seen it all by now, but this is an illusion.

No matter how many staff you have working for you, there will always be a Micro ISV within the company... you! Exept for any partners, no one will do your job of creating the company or product vision and has the same kind of commitment. Some would say that's sad to hear, but I think this is reality. You hire most people to complement you on your own skills, so most of the time don't expect the vision to come from them.

Going through this book I sometimes skipped some of the pages. Some things I knew just to well to read about again, some applied on starting your own business and some parts applied to US / UK law only. Still, I managed to gain a lot of knowledge, ideas and feedback from this book.

Thinking of starting your own ISV business? Then get this book first! Already a business owner with some experience under the belt? The pick your paragraphs and read what you have to. Great book, especially for ISV startups!

Great book!

As expected, it gives guidelines for becoming a Micro-ISV providing useful information in many topics: Product definition, cyber-infrastructure, market exposure, quality, support management, community relationships, law and payments.

Provides a good number of interviews from diverse entrepeneurs, talking about their producs, business stories and advices for beginners.

After reading it, i feel very motivated to follow the Micro-ISV road.