How to startup doing desktop apps
patio11: The Business of Software boards over here has a community which is largely focused on that.  http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/?bizPotential self-interest note: I am a moderator.You'll occasionally see interesting stuff around here, too.  More than a few of us sell things you can download.  We have one chap named Peldi who does pretty freaking well with it.  His username is balsamiq -- check his articles/comments, you'll find they are frequently of interest.  (His blog, which you can Google, is also good.)If you had asked something like "Ask HN: Is Java a good choice for a desktop application?" you'd have gotten a good discussion.   (Answer: Yes.  It is more widely deployed than you think and the very vocal minority who hates it don't pay money for software anyhow.)