| Being diverse, and able to do something | | | | high quality, vertical market, applications. |
| besides just write code, is a key to success | | | | True, it takes some work, some good analysis |
| in the computer industry. Especially in this | | | | up front, and some savvy with marketing, but |
| current phase of the industry. With many of | | | | the potential market is huge. The Job? |
| the programming projects being handled by | | | | Entrepreneur/CEO of your own software |
| offshore developers, those of us in the U.S. | | | | company.Another huge market for software |
| have to be more creative when it comes to | | | | developers is in entertainment. The console |
| seeking projects and staying employed in the | | | | and handheld gaming market is HUGE! Got a |
| industry. So, how can a industry professional | | | | good game idea? Spec it out and then write |
| stay busy? Well, first you have to keep in | | | | the code. You'll either have a good game or a |
| mind what type of jobs are being done | | | | demo for showing off your skills. A lot of |
| offshore. It's mostly the programming jobs. | | | | companies are looking for game developers for |
| Hard core bit twiddling! So what does that | | | | the Sony Playstation and the Microsoft XBox |
| leave? Lots! In order to write good code, you | | | | platforms. And if you're not into working on |
| have to have good specifications. In order to | | | | 10 to 30 person development teams, then go |
| have good specifications, you have to have | | | | for the PDA and/or smartphone market. The |
| good analysis skills. There is a lot of | | | | smartphone industry is still growing and |
| demand for folks that have the ability to | | | | there's a huge demand for entertainment |
| wrap their arms around a projects, spec it | | | | products on these devices. And it's one of |
| out, and then manage the process. This takes | | | | the last areas of the industry where a solo |
| a special talent. You can't just sit in a | | | | game developer can make a big impact. The |
| cube all day and crank out code. You have to | | | | Job? Game developer!Is there a product or |
| go out and face people. Find out how they do | | | | industry that you're a big fan of? Say for |
| their jobs. Analyze what tools they are | | | | example that there's a new massive |
| utilizing to get the work done. Ask | | | | multiplayer online game coming out and you're |
| questions. Determine the areas where the | | | | just chomping at the bit to get involved with |
| tools are lacking. Then "design" a way to | | | | it. Then why not set up a web based fan site? |
| either make the tools better or replace the | | | | Get some ad art from the publisher, add a |
| tools with better tools. The job? Project and | | | | good discussion forum, and presto! You've got |
| or Product Manager!I'm constantly amazed at | | | | a cool fan site! If it turns out to be hugely |
| the number of poorly written applications on | | | | successful, you could be looking at a very |
| the market. I'm not talking about the generic | | | | nice advertising revenue stream by signing up |
| productivity products like Microsoft Office, | | | | with AdWords. The more traffic you bring to |
| or cool utilities (virus protection, etc.). | | | | your site, the more advertising income. And |
| But I'm talking about the market where 80% of | | | | this doesn't have to be the brash, flash |
| the work gets done. Small businesses. I'm | | | | animation, popups that everyone is learning |
| always getting calls from friends who are | | | | to hate. Just a little sidebar space with a |
| involved with some type of a small business. | | | | link. You'll be amazed at what you can make |
| Pool cleaning, pest control (pardon the puns | | | | if you've got a hot web site running. The |
| about chasing down bugs), computer repairs, | | | | Job? Web Wizard!And then if you're like me, |
| and the list goes on. In all these cases, my | | | | and have to find a way to get your opinions, |
| friends are complaining about the products | | | | ideas, and commentary out to the world, then |
| they are using. And when I take a look at | | | | just be a writer. Write about things that you |
| these products, it becomes obvious that the | | | | know. Like Star Wars? Cool, then write some |
| individual(s) behind those products don't | | | | stories. Are you a great C# programmer? Then |
| have a clue about software development. Most | | | | put together a proposal for a book that you |
| of these product were done by folks with | | | | think is needed. Or just write some articles |
| industry expertise, but no software | | | | and content for any of the many web sites on |
| experience.For example: Someone who provides | | | | the topic of your choice.Just because a lot |
| termite control services has been struggling | | | | of the programming jobs are being done |
| with customer data, worker data, and | | | | elsewhere, is no reason to give up on the |
| financials. Then this person finds out about | | | | computer industry. There's still a lot of |
| Microsoft Access. After purchasing a couple | | | | exciting things taking place and there's a |
| books, they decide to "automate" their | | | | lot of room for those of us with a creative |
| business. Then they decide that they would | | | | streak to make an impact. Find your specialty |
| rather be in the software business instead of | | | | and go for it!Timothy Trimble is a award |
| the termite business. Then you end up with a | | | | winning, freelance writer, and software |
| bunch of termite businesses with poorly | | | | developer. He has written a book for |
| written software. The point I'm trying to | | | | Microsoft Press and over 35 articles for |
| make? There's a lot of opportunity for | | | | significant computer industry trade |
| experienced programmers to create and market | | | | magazines. |