Comment on Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?Comments−axx14yI think there are three kinds of desktop app developers that make real money today:* People who make huge profits fast, because they built a desktop client for popular webservices (see terhechte and his InstaDesk)* People creating good software for niches that REALLY NEED that piece of software to get work done.* Companies building large software suits for big companies that spend huge amounts of money in licences and support.I personally think everyone in the middle is also doing well, but not enough to make a living out of it.−umenlineOP14ydo you have examples for the second section ?−EwanToo14yA good example of a developer in a specific, unfashionable, but successful niche is Progressive Solutions [1].Their target market is far from glamorous, but it's a very successful business (they've actually just been acquired last month).1 http://www.progressive-solutions.co.uk/products.php−PopaL14yCAD and FEM software for example.
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I think there are three kinds of desktop app developers that make real money today:
* People who make huge profits fast, because they built a desktop client for popular webservices (see terhechte and his InstaDesk)
* People creating good software for niches that REALLY NEED that piece of software to get work done.
* Companies building large software suits for big companies that spend huge amounts of money in licences and support.
I personally think everyone in the middle is also doing well, but not enough to make a living out of it.
do you have examples for the second section ?
A good example of a developer in a specific, unfashionable, but successful niche is Progressive Solutions [1].
Their target market is far from glamorous, but it's a very successful business (they've actually just been acquired last month).
1 http://www.progressive-solutions.co.uk/products.php
CAD and FEM software for example.