A new MicroISV, ComponentFactory, has just released its first and free (?!) product, Krypton Toolkit. You might want to grab the toolkit before the owner figures out a sustainable business model. The company develops user interface component libraries (google juice) for Visual Studio 2005
The founder, Phil Wright, maintains a blog (old blog), which I have been following since inception when it was listed in MicroIsv.com, detailing his entrepreneurial endeavors from initial startup such as designing his website and logo. His blog description says it all:
Join me as I take a journey from concept to real world business. Is it possible to create a viable microISV on a shoe string budget and working only in your spare time? Let's try...
Almost as a continuation of my prior posts on High-Tech Outsourcing and Personal Offshoring, he talks about the choices that he made as to whether to make or buy such things as a blogging package. He also mentions his experience with auctioning his website and logo design through www.RentACoder.com, www.Guru.com and www.DesignOutpost.com.
(Speaking of outsourcing, I found an interesting new website, www.TechStudents.net, that mines college campuses for low-cost tech-savvy labor to connect with small businesses. It’s a more politically correct option to promote domestic rather than foreign labor.)
Phil is also engaged in some viral marketing by offering a free copy of DotNetMagic user interface library via a marketing tie-up with Crownwood Software until December to any preexisting .NET blogger that mentions the new toolkit on his blog. Personally, I am already satisfied with the SyncFusion libraries I already own, but the library, which normally costs $399, may be valuable to other bloggers.
Why is it more politically correct to "promote domestic rather than foreign labour"? Look at your shoes. Where were they made? Where was your shirt made? Why is it OK to outsource the production of clothes but not software?
Please help me understand why IT should be exempt from the process of globalisation.
The US is arguably the biggest advocate of globalisation, yet it seems its citizens complain when it effects the jobs of the middle class.
By all means, have a view, for or against, but help me (a software developer in the US) understand how it's "politically correct".
Posted by: Tim | November 13, 2005 at 06:47 PM
If you have read my post on high-tech outsourcing, you will know that I am an advocate for globalization. I personally don't necessarily favor domestic over foreign. I look at the overall cost; it's important to remember that domestic productions has its own advantagess in local laws and proximity. I used the term politically correct to refer to the "common complaints" that you have mentioned.
Posted by: Wesner Moise | November 13, 2005 at 10:19 PM
OK - I just prickled at the "PC" thing....
Posted by: Tim | November 14, 2005 at 01:05 AM